My in home day care provider is from another country. She told me the other day that she is going to start potty training my 9 month old son. I was surprised she would be starting at such an early age but she says in her country they start early and their babies are potty trained by 12- 18 months. I told her to go ahead, but I am skeptical about the early age. Has anyone out there started this early?
After further discussion with my day care provider I impressed upon her the fact that I do not want her to put any pressure on my son to use the potty. She assured me that she would just put him on the potty when she thinks he needs to go so that he can start to make the connection thus making it easier when he is older and really starting to potty train. Only time will tell, thanks everyone for your comments and advice.
I have heard multiple people talk about potty training before a year. All were born overseas.
What I was told is that they generally put baby on the toilet in the morning around the time of their typical BM and start with that.
For all the people I heard from, it led to a potty trained 18 month old.
I personally am not trying that early, but I don't see a downside as long as the caregiver is patient and has reasonable expectations.
If you're skeptical, go with your instincts and ask her to stop if you want. She needs to follow your lead on anything to do with your son. It's interesting that she told you, rather than asked you, about her plans. Can he stand and walk any distance yet? Potty training usually follows after a child can stand, plus walk, sit when asked to, sense the urge to "go" sometimes even if he still goes in a diaper, can pull pants up and down -- nine-month-olds can't do all those things. If she's pressuring you (and him) to let her do this, is it just because it would be more convenient for her if he were potty-trained ASAP? Any day care provider should be willing to change diapers, then pull-ups, for some time to come -- and tackle potty training when he's physically and mentally ready, on his schedule and not hers, and when you as the parent and the employer say it's time.If you want backup for your skepticism when you talk to her about it, maybe try asking your pediatrician so you can tell her what the doctor says. I'd bet the doctor will say nine months is too young because the basic milestones that indicate a kid is ready to train are still a way off. Let us know what happens.
9 months is awfully young!! I don't personally know of any child who was trained prior to 2 years of age.
I was taught that if you begin potty training before like 27 months it will only frustrate you and the baby! I learned with my daughter that she was not going to do it before she was ready. I can't imagine a baby of 9 months going potty. Certainly would save money if it works. I'm interested to hear what happens!
I think at this age it would be more like Elimination Communication. Which would consist of just responding to you baby's cues and responding by placing him or holding him on potty and letting him go. I do not believe there is any pressure like the kind you think of when potty training older children. I know of several people who have had great success with this even younger than 9 months old.
Potty training a child when they are not ready can sometimes do more harm then good. I was potty trained shortly after i could walk but my brother wasn't until he was almost 3 years old. It all depends on the child. A child will let you know when they are ready. I recommend letting the child decide, within reason of course. My advice is to not start before age 1. Let them be a kid - that is what they are after all.
Hello 9 months might be a little early but I did start potty training my little girl at 17 months and it took about 3-4 weeks and she had it down pat. I think she only had like 4 accidents which is pretty good. I know most people say you should wait till they are 2-3 but for some children they are ready before that and if you wait then they get a mind of there own and think it is no fun and then the children can be 4 before they are completely potty trained. I would say it is totally up to your child and how willing they are. 9 months to me is to early but I would start before he is 2.
This is just my experience so every child is different and I wouldn't pressure it on your child at this point.
B.
You'd have to be pretty dedicated to get one this young potty trained, most kids' bodies aren't ready until they're closer to 2, even if they know what to do, since they're still growing pretty fast. I'd have her hold back, but mostly because that means you'll have to follow through on what she's doing, and do you have that kind of time?
Having just gone through the potty training "experience" and debating with myself whether I should start early or late, there are a few things I learned. I don't think it's a bad idea to get the child used to the idea of sitting on the seat and sitting there without a diaper. However, if at any time, the child feels like he is being pressured to go and he isn't showing any signs of readiness (i.e. "holding it" for a period of time, wanting to be alone when he pees or poops, telling you he's going potty, etc.), then pressuring him will only delay the whole process. It has to be something he warms up to and makes his mind up to do. As long as she's just introducing your son to the potty and making it an enjoyable experience for him, I wouldn't be concerned yet. The moms I talked to when who started their kids at 7-9 months all said the same things to me. Their kids were not FULLY potty trained (staying dry 2 or more hours, going on their own, asking to go) until they were 2 to 2 1/2 years old, which is typical age if you start potty training when you see the signs of readiness. I chose to wait to for signs my daughter was ready only because the other way just seemed like more work with the same results. My daughter is 2 1/2 and we just finished potty training having started at age 2 when she started holding her pee for several hours. If your daycare provider wants to go through the work, though, I think it's ok as long as she isn't shaming your son if he doesn't go on the potty or if he goes in his diaper. Parents magazine did an "investigation" of sorts into the two forms of potty training - starting very early or waiting to start later. It was a very interesting and informative article. I may still have the article; if you are interested I can try to find it for you.
my family is from south america and my mom always told me that i should start potty training younger than what i did...which i waited till my kids were 2. i also have a friend who is american but is living in germany and she started young...as soon as her daughter was able to sit up on her own every day she would put her daughter on a potty seat in the morning when she woke up and right before her bath at night. her daughter recognized after a while what she was supposed to do and ended up potty training faster than what we consider normal.
i also feel that you should do what you think is best for your child. sometimes people that are from different countries have different ways of doing things but it doesn't mean that they won't respect your decisions. good luck!
