Diaper free before 2
I decided when my baby was 6 months old to hold him over the toilet. He pooped. Immediately.
So I did it again every day for the next week and had success every time. I think it had something to do with the knees up position, but idk. I decided to start trying to catch the pee too, eventually learning that he only would pee 4 or 5 times a day, and most of those times were just because he was naked or getting a bath.
No, I wasn’t SAHM. Not all childcare followed the same patterns as me. But it still worked.
Diaper free overnight by 15 months, totally trained by 2.
I know, I know. I’m nuts, right? I literally cannot speak a word of this to personal friends because I risk being stabbed.
But I truly believe I hacked the potty training system without even realizing.
I have no real protocol, I’m by no means trying to say it will work for everyone. But here’s the things I decided upon:
pee before bed is non negotiable. The way I always achieved it was by plopping him over the sink or tub and running warm water on the feet and letting the pee go down the drain.
Pee is sterile. Stop worrying about it getting on things or happening on a rug. Blot it, spray it, move on.
Poop time is something you need to make time for. It happens when child is lost in solitary play, or alone with very close family, at home. PLEASE consider making time for this every day until you sense a pattern. Kids who are always on the go are going to use their diapers.
Pull-ups are diapers. Stop wasting your money.
If you wait until 2, you’re too late. There is a cognitive shift that I swear to god makes your kid do whatever it is you don’t want them to do.
Let them see what they’re doing, go wiz on a tree, be supportive but don’t make a big deal out of it. I personally don’t want an audience or a sticker because I took a shit. Toddlers are just like us.
Skip small plastic potty’s and just go for the real thing. Otherwise they will fear it. Bathrooms offer privacy and privacy is a huge key to success.
Lastly, toilet time is a routine need- giving your baby or toddler a bottle and a nap on schedule, but not making time for the potty is exactly what Pampers and Huggies want you to do.
It’s an industry built on laziness and I hate that for our kids. It’s time we stop drinking the koolaid about it being normal for 4 year olds to poop in their pants on a daily basis. Yes, accidents happen. That’s ok! Don’t make a big deal about it. But if you’re putting off starting today, you’re going to fall into the trap.
I know the whole universe wants me hung for this, but I walked so you all could run!!! Feel free to ask questions.