Potty Training

As a first time mom when my 13 month old starting to stay dry for long periods of time, I figured she was ready to be potty trained. I was told by countless people, "You can't potty train a child that young!" Being a new mom, I listened and I figured something must be wrong, so I took her to be checked for a urinary tract infection, there wasn't one. I decided what could it hurt to at least try potty training her so early. So, I did and within 2 months, she was completely potty trained!

These are all things I did to potty train my 2 girls and am currently doing for my 3rd. I started training them around 13-15 months and they were fully potty trained by age 17 months!

*Watch for your little one to start holding his urine around age 13-16 months

*Your child may stay dry for a long period of time and then suddenly his diaper may be soaked

*Toddlers may also start staying dry overnight (this was the case for all 3 of my children). As soon as they wake up, take him in and sit him on the potty chair

*Reward, reward, reward....I reward every step, from the first few times sitting on the potty chair to actually going (I used 1 M&M and it worked wonders!)

*Whatever reward you choose, offer it instantly before cleaning up the potty chair (or the floor). You want your little one to realize what the reward is for!

*Make a big deal about it all, be happy with everything he does. You're probably going to have accidents in front of the potty chair, but as he is going (even in front of the chair) repeatedly say happily "You're going potty, good girl (boy)!"

*Another good way, I found, is if you don't mind the mess and the extra laundry (outside is great for this) take off his diaper and stay close by. When he starts to go again, happily and repeatedly say "You're going potty!" This will help them learn what potty even is!

*Patience is key to potty training, each child is different