Best potty training method? **update: we've started, pg 4**

[kevschickee]

Since we're on this topic... I hope the OP doesn't mind if I ask a question since there are so many people on here with experience and great suggestions.

My son is in a regression period. He was going both #1 and #2 with great success.... and then he stopped. He's back to going #1 with only a few accidents, but #2? He screams and cries. If I catch him in the act, he'll hold it in and won't go.

I've tried bribing (actually, once I outright promised him a toy, and he went right then and there) with sticker chart to get a toy... nope. I've tried immediate gratification with a treat. Nope. Hellz - I've even threatened him with having to wear a diaper to visit Mickey which he does NOT want to do...

Less pressure? Keep up what I'm doing???


HELP! I really do not want to have to worry about poopy pants while in the parks.

Hmmm are his poops hard? does it hurt? My DD who is 3 needs mirolax everyday to keep her poops soft enough so they don't hurt. Maybe talk to his pedi about that. Halee will poop on the potty now but mostly when we tell her to give it two good pushes. She hasn't had an accident for a long time now. She still wears a pull up at night though.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

Our bank had books which had slots for quarters and held 5 or 10 dollars.
We started out by putting a quarter in the book every time they used the toilet and taking one out every time they used a diaper. Each time it was full, we went to Chuck E Cheese. We then emptied it and started over.
After a few weeks, we put in one for using the toilet and took out 2 for accidents.
My oldest was totally trained at 25 months when my second was born. We had a few accidents the first weeks, but all went well later. My other two were trained about the same age. They initiated it on their own so I guess they were ready.

 

[laluna]

Following with interest as I am at this stage with my son who is 3 in July. I have let him lead the way and when he has no underwear or shorts he is completely clean and dry - with no nagging or reminders. However, when he is fully dressed he just has accidents. Now, he cant go out and about naked can he??!??Any tips for helping him with the transition? Thanks!

 

[JaxJags08]

I'm following this thread too! DD is 2 1/2 and we've just really started working on it the past 2 days. By working on it, I mean taking her to the potty every hour after she pees or every 15 minutes after if she doesn't have to go on the 1st try. We had been using the pull-ups, but she just goes in them like they're regular diapers. Right now she's in regular undies and she's been doing great but we did have an accident yesterday - which leads to my question....

How do you get pee smell out of a couch??? Yes, she was watching Dora and peed on the couch and came running to tell me. All I've tried so far was dish soap/water and laundry detergent/water. But I still am getting a slight whiff of pee once it dries!

 

[TheCharmingLizard]

Hmmm are his poops hard? does it hurt? My DD who is 3 needs mirolax everyday to keep her poops soft enough so they don't hurt. Maybe talk to his pedi about that. Halee will poop on the potty now but mostly when we tell her to give it two good pushes. She hasn't had an accident for a long time now. She still wears a pull up at night though.

No, soft and mushy. So it's all boy 'tude.

 

[mjkacmom]

Following with interest as I am at this stage with my son who is 3 in July. I have let him lead the way and when he has no underwear or shorts he is completely clean and dry - with no nagging or reminders. However, when he is fully dressed he just has accidents. Now, he cant go out and about naked can he??!??Any tips for helping him with the transition? Thanks!

Let him go commando. We transition from nakey to just pants - ds6 went without for 6 months!

 

[Alesia]

I'm following this thread too! DD is 2 1/2 and we've just really started working on it the past 2 days. By working on it, I mean taking her to the potty every hour after she pees or every 15 minutes after if she doesn't have to go on the 1st try. We had been using the pull-ups, but she just goes in them like they're regular diapers. Right now she's in regular undies and she's been doing great but we did have an accident yesterday - which leads to my question....

How do you get pee smell out of a couch??? Yes, she was watching Dora and peed on the couch and came running to tell me. All I've tried so far was dish soap/water and laundry detergent/water. But I still am getting a slight whiff of pee once it dries!

You may be able to get it out by re-wetting the spot and pouring baking soda on it. Let it sit for a while and then vacuum it up.

The next time it happens pour baking soda on it immediately.

 

[vettechick99]

Well I wanted to give an update and ask some questions.

I started training yesterday. This was my first real attempt at focusing on pottying in the potty all the time, not just whenever. We've had the potty about 4 or 5 months and every once in a while I'd ask if she wanted to potty in there and she would. So she's already peepee'd at least 2 dozen times in there. But not on any consistent basis.

Ok, so yesterday we started the day in diapers (and I gave her favorite stuffed animal Bear one), but after we watched some potty videos and I showed her some new big birl panties, we switched over. I also showed her the candy (M&Ms) that she would get when she peepee'd or pooped in the potty. She was very excited and helped pick out the panties she and Bear would wear.

So every 20-25 minutes I would ask her if she needed to potty. She always said no. But I would put her on the potty every 30 regardless. She did very well in going peepee most every time. I gave her some candy and we made a big deal about it.

Then several times she peepee'd in her panties and I only knew it because she was touching herself. So I said no candy because you have to peepee in the potty. I'm not sure she understood it since she is still pretty young (26m).

Later she pooped in her panties and only told me after she did it. So she apparently doesn't mind doing it in her panties, either one. In fact, she has never minded being wet or soiled. She will literally sit in it for an hour if I don't catch it. Is that her age or just her? And is this a sign of her not being "ready" or that she just needs more practice at pottying in the chair?

Now what do you do when she does it in her panties? I still want this to be a positive experience, but also want her to know it's not ok. What is the correct process?

She always goes when I put her on the potty, but never asks to go, or seems to know that she needs to go. Is this also a sign of not being "ready"?

Thanks for your ideas! So far she is doing well - but lots more practice needed!

One more thing, we are going out to lunch today. She is not ready for going in panties - I think if she goes she will just pee on the chair. Should I put her in pull-ups? Maybe over the panties?

 

[jana616]

Personally, to me, it sounds like she's not ready. With my ODS, I waited until he hated having poop in his diaper, told me when he'd gone, and was showing a real interest in sitting on his potty. He was potty-trained in a few days when he was 2 years and 10 months old, and I KNOW it was because I waited until he was absolutely, truly ready. Lots of friends with kids similar ages decided to do it at 2, and theirs were much longer, harder processes. I didn't read all the posts, but unless you have to train her now, I would wait awhile. Just my two cents! Good luck!

 

[LadyShea]

How do you get pee smell out of a couch???

Enzymes work wonders on most any organic stain and/or odor including urine, blood, many foods...heck it even cleans red wine.

I use brands that come in larger sizes (two big dogs plus DS!), but Kids n Pets is very widely available (Target, WalMart, most drugstores, even Amazon) and works really well.

http://www.kidsnpetsbrand.com/

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I would give it more time, keep working with her. Sounds to me like she has the idea of what to do. No diapers or pull ups now that you have started. I think she is the perfect age and its the perfect time, summer, less clothes to get wet. I always thought of it as potty training, you are teaching her to use the potty. I may be a bit from the old school cause my kids are 19 and 21 but both were fully trained before 3. Both are boys too.

 

[mjkacmom]

Personally, to me, it sounds like she's not ready. With my ODS, I waited until he hated having poop in his diaper, told me when he'd gone, and was showing a real interest in sitting on his potty. He was potty-trained in a few days when he was 2 years and 10 months old, and I KNOW it was because I waited until he was absolutely, truly ready. Lots of friends with kids similar ages decided to do it at 2, and theirs were much longer, harder processes. I didn't read all the posts, but unless you have to train her now, I would wait awhile. Just my two cents! Good luck!

Ds would sit in his poop, and he trained a 2 3/4 in less than a week. OP, nakey butt her, and if she has more than 1 or 2 accidents, she's not ready. Don't make her sit on the toilet - she needs to figure out on her own when her bladder is full.

 

[brymolmom]

Well I wanted to give an update and ask some questions.

I started training yesterday. This was my first real attempt at focusing on pottying in the potty all the time, not just whenever. We've had the potty about 4 or 5 months and every once in a while I'd ask if she wanted to potty in there and she would. So she's already peepee'd at least 2 dozen times in there. But not on any consistent basis.

Ok, so yesterday we started the day in diapers (and I gave her favorite stuffed animal Bear one), but after we watched some potty videos and I showed her some new big birl panties, we switched over. I also showed her the candy (M&Ms) that she would get when she peepee'd or pooped in the potty. She was very excited and helped pick out the panties she and Bear would wear.

So every 20-25 minutes I would ask her if she needed to potty. She always said no. But I would put her on the potty every 30 regardless. She did very well in going peepee most every time. I gave her some candy and we made a big deal about it.

Then several times she peepee'd in her panties and I only knew it because she was touching herself. So I said no candy because you have to peepee in the potty. I'm not sure she understood it since she is still pretty young (26m).

Later she pooped in her panties and only told me after she did it. So she apparently doesn't mind doing it in her panties, either one. In fact, she has never minded being wet or soiled. She will literally sit in it for an hour if I don't catch it. Is that her age or just her? And is this a sign of her not being "ready" or that she just needs more practice at pottying in the chair?

Now what do you do when she does it in her panties? I still want this to be a positive experience, but also want her to know it's not ok. What is the correct process?

She always goes when I put her on the potty, but never asks to go, or seems to know that she needs to go. Is this also a sign of not being "ready"?

Thanks for your ideas! So far she is doing well - but lots more practice needed!

One more thing, we are going out to lunch today. She is not ready for going in panties - I think if she goes she will just pee on the chair. Should I put her in pull-ups? Maybe over the panties?

In my opinion - I think that it sounds like she is ready. I know when I first tried with my ds and he had some accidents I, like you, thought about retreat and wondered to his readiness. But really, it was ME who wasn't ready - not him. As a parent if we truly want to potty 'train' a child you need to be ready for accidents and 'on purposes' in the pants, etc. It takes time to train a child something different than they've been doing all their lives - to go in something other than what they're wearing at the time.

First day with some success is a good day. I would clear the schedule for a good 3 -- 4 day stretch and really concentrate on keeping her in panties. You're doing great so far! Oh yeah- and for the accidents - just verbal comments IMO is good ' Good try - next time try to make it to the potty when you have to pee - that way you'll get a treat next time.' or something similar. And I think 26 mos is way old enough that she understands that she'll get it after she successfully uses the potty.

You just have to stick to it! I didn't with my first one and learned the hard way - if you don't do it when they're this young - you have to wait until THEY decided to do it - UGH! That was a mistake. I learned with my dd and she trained at 24 months. Some accidents for a couple months - but in panties from then on.

 

[RMulieri]

It sounds to me like she is not ready. My daughter did the same thing and I pushed it and paid the price.She wouldn't train till over a year later.26 mos is doable but still on the younger end of things.When they are 100% ready you will know.

 

[vettechick99]

Well we had a somewhat successful day. She would pee most of the time she potty'd (when I put her on there) but either 3 or 4 times she had an accident and it didn't bother her whatsoever. I think she is just so used to going whenever the urge strikes her (she definitely doesn't wait until she has a full bladder), that she hasn't put it all together that instead of going in her panties, she should tell me and go in the potty. Makes me think she is not ready in that aspect - not physically self-aware enough.

But I'm going to give it til this weekend and if it she isn't making real progress forward, I'll stop and try again some other time.

 

[jpeka65844]

Since we're on this topic... I hope the OP doesn't mind if I ask a question since there are so many people on here with experience and great suggestions.

My son is in a regression period. He was going both #1 and #2 with great success.... and then he stopped. He's back to going #1 with only a few accidents, but #2? He screams and cries. If I catch him in the act, he'll hold it in and won't go.

I've tried bribing (actually, once I outright promised him a toy, and he went right then and there) with sticker chart to get a toy... nope. I've tried immediate gratification with a treat. Nope. Hellz - I've even threatened him with having to wear a diaper to visit Mickey which he does NOT want to do...

Less pressure? Keep up what I'm doing???

HELP! I really do not want to have to worry about poopy pants while in the parks.

I recently started a PT thread about this very same thing. DS is 3 1/2, been pee trained since February and has had moderate success with pooping since early April. After our vacation to CO three weeks ago: NOTHING. Serious regressing. I think it's turning in to something serious.....see this thread for details:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2205829

 

[rainydayplay]

I had to put my DD in pull ups just before she was a year old. Notice I said "had to" -- she wouldn't keep a regular diaper on, even if it was on backwards. That also means I couldn't put her in the cute Huggies pullups that had the Princesses and the pull away sides....

She seemed interested in the potty but I couldn't get her to go consistently until she was almost 3. I tried feeding her salty stuff and making her drink lots...couldn't keep her sitting on the potty. I tried letting her run around in cloth trainers or panties...but she didn't seem to mind those getting wet. (In fact...I seem to recall lots of giggles...like it was fun...)

So, finally...I stayed home with her one day and let her run around naked. She wet herself one time and has used the potty ever since. It kind of made me stand back and go...why didn't I think of that before???

 

[Beavers5]

I would put her on the potty every 30 regardless. She did very well in going peepee most every time.

She may not be ready yet. Both of mine PT'd young (DS at 18 months and DD at 21 months). But both were only peeing about every two hours when they trained. I don't know if her peeing every 1/2 hour is a sign that she isn't ready or a sign that she is used to the diapers; if you know what I mean.

Lots of Luck

 

[Britgirlus]

My son was not at all interested in using the potty - or sitting on the toilet - he freaked out totally if I even suggested he did either, or even if I asked him to wear underwear. One Friday, when he was 2 3/4, I told him that on Monday he would be wearing underwear - no more diapers or pullups - and he would need to go potty on the toilet. Monday came, I put him in underwear, and he was trained totally, day and night, in 2 days. Wish they were all that easy !! (I am a daycare provider, so know they're not)

 

[QVCshopper]

I started my son at the exact same age--26 months. Well, he did great for about 2-3 months--mostly day trained--and then totally lost interest and regressed until just before he turned 3. He still wore pullups during those middle months and almost always pooped on the potty. But pee became a HUGE power struggle. If I could do it again, I would have waited til he was a little older.

I waited til my first DD was 2 years, 8 months, and she was night and day trained in 6 weeks. Not sure if it was because she was ready, a girl, or why, but things with her were easier than with my younger son.