Potty training

[Mazlina]

Originally Posted by flutterfly85

Aqil is 21mos now...and he's not too keen on his diapers anymore. I mean, diaper changes have always been a struggle, but now he screams and screams when we put it on. At first I thought he was uncomfortable with his cloth diapers, but its the same with sposies (we use those for nighttime). He just doesn't wanna be in diapers anymore, it seems.

I want to start potty-training but I don't know if its too overwhelming a task to take on while I have my newborn to take care of too. Maybe I should wait a month or so and start ECing the newborn and PTing the toddler?

Hi Adriana

If you plan on ECing your newborn you should start as soon as possible, while the baby is still very aware of his bodily function. Just my thought.. I started ECing my 2nd son when he was 7 months old, at the same time potty training his 2.5 year old bro. It actually helped my eldest to get the idea of using a potty by watching me ECing his little bro. It took my eldest son about 3 months before he was completely potty-trained day and night.

Back to your original question, why don't you just introduce the potty? Let him sit on it and play with it. If you can, get a PT book that shows children using the potty. If he wants to sit on the potty, you can read books to him, just so that he can get used to the idea of sitting on the potty fully-dressed at first. You can do it casually at first, it's true that it can be overwhelming a task esp. if we expect to see results fast. A toddler has to learn to recognize the sensation that he needs to pee/poop before he does so, because he has learnt to ignore it and eliminates in diapers for a long time. When he's aware of the signs that he needs to go and is able to communicate his needs to you then you can PTing full-time.

Just my two cents... hope that helps!

[flutterfly85]

Originally Posted by Mazlina

Hi Adriana

If you plan on ECing your newborn you should start as soon as possible, while the baby is still very aware of his bodily function. Just my thought.. I started ECing my 2nd son when he was 7 months old, at the same time potty training his 2.5 year old bro. It actually helped my eldest to get the idea of using a potty by watching me ECing his little bro. It took my eldest son about 3 months before he was completely potty-trained day and night.

Back to your original question, why don't you just introduce the potty? Let him sit on it and play with it. If you can, get a PT book that shows children using the potty. If he wants to sit on the potty, you can read books to him, just so that he can get used to the idea of sitting on the potty fully-dressed at first. You can do it casually at first, it's true that it can be overwhelming a task esp. if we expect to see results fast. A toddler has to learn to recognize the sensation that he needs to pee/poop before he does so, because he has learnt to ignore it and eliminates in diapers for a long time. When he's aware of the signs that he needs to go and is able to communicate his needs to you then you can PTing full-time.

Just my two cents... hope that helps!

Thank you, Mazlina! That's exactly what I need! My second is only 2+mos. I plan to start ECing when he's a little sturdier (about 4mos?), for the exact reason that you stated -so that maybe the abang will observe and be encouraged to try.

I will take out the potty now and put it right outside the bathroom door (our playroom has a bathroom attached). Before this he used it as a hat and I fully expect him to do that again for the next couple of days *LOL*

He has been showing signs of readiness, but I need to be more observant of the exact moment when he eliminates. As it is, he only comes to me when it is uncomfortable...sometimes the poop is already squashed, other times its still "fresh" and sometimes I'm able to smell it within seconds...so I really need to be more observant of that first I think. I've been keeping a log of when he poops, though. How could you tell when your babies were eliminating? I've read a few books about it but still can't seem to tell

I hope its OK with you if I bug you now and then for advice!

ETA: Should I get two potties - one for each baby? Or did you use the big jamban terus? Sorry banyak soal!

[Mazlina]

Originally Posted by flutterfly85

Thank you, Mazlina! That's exactly what I need! My second is only 2+mos. I plan to start ECing when he's a little sturdier (about 4mos?), for the exact reason that you stated -so that maybe the abang will observe and be encouraged to try.

I will take out the potty now and put it right outside the bathroom door (our playroom has a bathroom attached). Before this he used it as a hat and I fully expect him to do that again for the next couple of days *LOL*

He has been showing signs of readiness, but I need to be more observant of the exact moment when he eliminates. As it is, he only comes to me when it is uncomfortable...sometimes the poop is already squashed, other times its still "fresh" and sometimes I'm able to smell it within seconds...so I really need to be more observant of that first I think. I've been keeping a log of when he poops, though. How could you tell when your babies were eliminating? I've read a few books about it but still can't seem to tell

I hope its OK with you if I bug you now and then for advice!

ETA: Should I get two potties - one for each baby? Or did you use the big jamban terus? Sorry banyak soal!

Hi Adriana

Actually you can start EC now, no need to put the baby on potty or anything... you can just cue your baby (by making shh..shh sound) while changing him, with the nappy still underneath him... see if he goes for you (he will if he needs to! believe me!). I found that my baby will go after bath, when you're trying to put on a fresh nappy. So, I put a prefold or lampin underneath her, make the cue sound and wait until she went then I put the nappy on. That's the first step, cueing your baby. After he's familiar with your cue sound, then you can think of the next step, ie.e catching the pee inside a container (like a bowl) or potty. You can use the potty when your baby can sit with support (4-5 months). The best time to try cueing baby/toddler to pee and see the result is after they wake up from sleep/naps. They almost always need to go at these times. It's a nice feeling to see them pee when you cue them... it'll keep your spirit up i think!

My DD is almost 17 mo now, ECed part-time since 2.5 mo. She doesn't pee in potty all the time, sometimes in her nappy still. But i noticed that when she's nappyless, she'll stop in one place before she pees. She also has this look, like staring into blank space, then she pees. I's a bit hard to tell when she has a nappy on, much easier to spot without one. But then you'll have to be prepared to wipe the pee off the floor after that! Anyhow, most of the time I have her in nappy, and check on her regularly. If she hasn't peed after 1-1.5 hr, then I take her to bathroom and ask her to pee. If she has to, she'll go, otherwise, she'll just geleng2 kepala and refuse to squat on the floor/sit on potty/sit on toilet. Pooping is easier, as I can see her grunting, her face becoming red, and most of the time she'll come to me and complain/fussing around. Those are her ways of saying she needs to poop.

About potties, I'll say yeah, you need two of those... if you can, find one with a small hole (?) if you know what i mean... I have a baby bjorn little potty, just nice to be used for ECing babies. Babies can sit on the potty without their bottoms falling inside it! If you want to use adult toilet for the abang, use the toilet trainer seat. Well, you can always hold him while he sits on the toilet but letih la! Esp. when they took their time to start/finish their business!

Feel free to ask questions, i don't mind at all. You've read a few books on EC, may i know their titles? I've read INFANT POTTY TRAINING (Laurie Boucke) and DIAPER FREE (Ingrid Bauer). I found them very informative and interesting too! I first read them 8 years ago when I started ECing my 2nd DS. With my 3rd DS and DD, I also EC them part-time... anak2 dah ramai, susah sikit nak concentrate on each one of them!

Anyway, hope these help a bit. Sorry terpanjang pulak cerita...

[millie]

Wow thanks Mazlina for the info! Tak kisah lah panjang pun..it keeps the forum lively..we're supposed to "hang out" (online) here anyway LOL!

Armand does a lot of those geleng2 kepala while on the toilet trainer seat. "Aman tanak wee wee..tanaak". But yes he usually pees after waking up. Zuleyka..I'm trying to do EC on her..but semangat belum kuat so kdg2 je lah. Especially when I notice that she wants to poo..

[flutterfly85]

Originally Posted by Mazlina

Hi Adriana

Actually you can start EC now, no need to put the baby on potty or anything... you can just cue your baby (by making shh..shh sound) while changing him, with the nappy still underneath him... see if he goes for you (he will if he needs to! believe me!). I found that my baby will go after bath, when you're trying to put on a fresh nappy. So, I put a prefold or lampin underneath her, make the cue sound and wait until she went then I put the nappy on. That's the first step, cueing your baby. After he's familiar with your cue sound, then you can think of the next step, ie.e catching the pee inside a container (like a bowl) or potty. You can use the potty when your baby can sit with support (4-5 months). The best time to try cueing baby/toddler to pee and see the result is after they wake up from sleep/naps. They almost always need to go at these times. It's a nice feeling to see them pee when you cue them... it'll keep your spirit up i think!

My DD is almost 17 mo now, ECed part-time since 2.5 mo. She doesn't pee in potty all the time, sometimes in her nappy still. But i noticed that when she's nappyless, she'll stop in one place before she pees. She also has this look, like staring into blank space, then she pees. I's a bit hard to tell when she has a nappy on, much easier to spot without one. But then you'll have to be prepared to wipe the pee off the floor after that! Anyhow, most of the time I have her in nappy, and check on her regularly. If she hasn't peed after 1-1.5 hr, then I take her to bathroom and ask her to pee. If she has to, she'll go, otherwise, she'll just geleng2 kepala and refuse to squat on the floor/sit on potty/sit on toilet. Pooping is easier, as I can see her grunting, her face becoming red, and most of the time she'll come to me and complain/fussing around. Those are her ways of saying she needs to poop.

About potties, I'll say yeah, you need two of those... if you can, find one with a small hole (?) if you know what i mean... I have a baby bjorn little potty, just nice to be used for ECing babies. Babies can sit on the potty without their bottoms falling inside it! If you want to use adult toilet for the abang, use the toilet trainer seat. Well, you can always hold him while he sits on the toilet but letih la! Esp. when they took their time to start/finish their business!

Feel free to ask questions, i don't mind at all. You've read a few books on EC, may i know their titles? I've read INFANT POTTY TRAINING (Laurie Boucke) and DIAPER FREE (Ingrid Bauer). I found them very informative and interesting too! I first read them 8 years ago when I started ECing my 2nd DS. With my 3rd DS and DD, I also EC them part-time... anak2 dah ramai, susah sikit nak concentrate on each one of them!

Anyway, hope these help a bit. Sorry terpanjang pulak cerita...

Mazlina,

Thanks so much for your advice! Can't type much - NAK - just wanted to say that Aqil has peed in his potty a couple of times, and Afraz (the newborn) has pooped in there too Aqil knows that the potty is for his waste, and goes there when we open his diaper. He informs me when he wants to pee (if he's not distracted) and I'm starting to recognize when he is pooping. I'm so pleased and excited! I still need to be more consistent, but I just want to thank you for your advice and encouragement

[Mazlina]

Originally Posted by flutterfly85

Mazlina,

Thanks so much for your advice! Can't type much - NAK - just wanted to say that Aqil has peed in his potty a couple of times, and Afraz (the newborn) has pooped in there too Aqil knows that the potty is for his waste, and goes there when we open his diaper. He informs me when he wants to pee (if he's not distracted) and I'm starting to recognize when he is pooping. I'm so pleased and excited! I still need to be more consistent, but I just want to thank you for your advice and encouragement

Yay!! Good for Aqil and you too! Looks like he's ready to really get into PT. Keep it up! Who knows he might be out of diapers sooner than you thought.

[syaz11]

wow.. Aqil already goes to potty!
Ari is 11mths.. I haven't done any EC with him..
(Well.. probably dulu2 I did.. but not consistent enough.. so I think that didn't count)
So.. is he too late for EC now?

[wawa3907]

Hey mommies,

finally I can join this topic. HEHE. I've been consistently train my son wawa who is now 27 months old to off w/o his diaper for almost week. And I'm so excited to share that I'm almost success in TT him (At least I think). He can automatically sit on the potty by himself. But the thing is he will only do that when he is not wearing anything. Meaning to say whenever I put him on pants, he will pee. I think he still dint knw how to pull off his pants when he wants to pee, and he will not tell me. He do it all by himself. I'm still trying to teach him to pull off his pants, or at least tell me to help him. Cause he cant just go out w/o pants right? So am keeping my finger crossed that he can officially TT soon.

[meetEin]

Sha is 3 yrs old now. I know. I'm late. So, instead of potty, I decided on toilet training. If it is 'wee..wee', then Sha won't have any problem. But if it is 'poo...poo', then it is the BIGGEST problem. Sha have a constipation problem. So I gave her food with lot of fiber and less dairy. Sha's nanny is her grandmother and my in-law. My in-law have another thing on her mind. She is way too lazy to help. She decided that when Sha is ready, she'll do it on her own. How can I send Sha to pre-school still wearing diapers?!

[MummytoBabyV]

Originally Posted by meetEin

Sha is 3 yrs old now. I know. I'm late. So, instead of potty, I decided on toilet training. If it is 'wee..wee', then Sha won't have any problem. But if it is 'poo...poo', then it is the BIGGEST problem. Sha have a constipation problem. So I gave her food with lot of fiber and less dairy. Sha's nanny is her grandmother and my in-law. My in-law have another thing on her mind. She is way too lazy to help. She decided that when Sha is ready, she'll do it on her own. How can I send Sha to pre-school still wearing diapers?!

Too much fibre can cause constipation because it absorbs the water in the body, resulting in very dry & hard stool. For soft stool, need a good balance of fibre, water & fats (e.g. olive oil).

I give my 17 months old boy steamed pear, peach, plum, prune or papaya (all happen to "p") daily and he poops about every day.

Our journey:
- At 7 months old, he started pre-potty-training -- sit on potty before bath.
- At 8 months old, first pee in potty. Increased to sitting at potty at every diaper change
- At 9 months old, first poo in potty
I taught him simple sounds and handsigns to represent pee & poo.
- At 15 months old, he could tell me before poo-ing. I was soooo happy!
- At 17 months, he just started signalling for pee.

We like the Baby Bjorn potty chair, reviewed at http://www.mummysreviews.com/2009/11...n-potty-chair/

To ensure potty-training continues during holiday trips, we bring along a travel-size potty-seat.