Potty training an under-1 year old

[gatt4950]

Has anyone done this and got any tips? I thought I might give it a go (11 month old girl) for the remaining month of my maternity leave as figured the nursery won't put in as much effort and time as I can... any tips appreciated!

[Pugwash]

May be a bit young but could try her getting used to sitting on potty but do not expect results.

I have not heard of any child being trained before 18 - 24 months.

[birnehelene]

I didn't do this with mine but maybe some resources on elimination communication might be useful?

[Jules-and-Boo]

Too young by a long shot. Maybe by a whole year, if not longer.

I would be surprised if she can walk yet.

[Giacomelli]

I think elimination communication is usually done from birth, so possibly a bit late? I used to put my eldest on the toilet at that age before his bath and he would do the toilet simply due to fact he was in a sitting position. He liked it but didn't understand the association. He wasn't trained until 2 yrs old. Some nurseries are better than others at helping you train them. I took 2 weeks off work. I suggest enjoying your last month of maternity and save it for later.

[goldilocks]

I'd echo the bit about - enjoy your last month of maternity leave - you never get that time back, why spend it mopping the floor repeatedly - surely there are better things to do with your 11m old.

[Nevaroma]

We started with potty training when our son was 9 months old. But we said we only want to get him used to it. Sonout him on the potty in the morning and evening. We didn't expect anything but he is 11 months now and he definitely wee's in it and makes a poo. Nearly every time. We know it will take a long time until he will be potty trained properly but at least he is familiar with it.

[HannahSE23]

My friend started potty training her daughter at 13 months. It seemed to involve her sitting on the potty a lot while watching cbeebies. She always did a wee or a poo while sitting there but she wasn't fully dry during the day until she was two and a half because she didn't really understand what she was doing. Personally I think it's quicker and easier when they're older because you can communicate with them better and they have a greater understanding. Good luck.

[wagtap]

from experience, there is nothing to be gained by trying to train kids to do things before they are cognisant enough to have an idea of what they're doing...you're just wasting your time. Same goes for writing, etc and all the other academic things peeps try to get their kids to engage with when they're way too young...just enjoy the nappies whilst you can! :)

[tarafitness]

helpful piece by a paediatric urologist on potty training :)

[etta166]

11 months might be a bit young, but my middle daughter didn't wear nappies at home from about 14 months and was totally potty trained by 18 months. It is really different from potty training an older child (my eldest was over 2) in that the level of parental involvement is much higher and they do go to the loo more frequently at that age. However, keeping a nappy on her was a total nightmare, so it worked out for us.

You can get reusable training pants, which really helped us as they catch little accidents (not a full wee though). My daughter was also walking and talking, was aware of needing to go and wanted to use the toilet. I'd say that that's a pre-requisite for potty training rather than the child's age.

Unless you and your child really hate nappies, you may as well keep on using them until she can walk, talk and expresses an interest in using the potty.