Potty Training

In order to save $500 in diapers next year, we have decided to try and potty train our 18-month-old daughter.  We didn't potty train our last two daughters until they were 3 since we could easily afford disposables and they didn't "seem interested."   I thought 18-months was too young to start toilet training, but check this out...In the 1950, almost a 100% of children wore cloth diapers and 95% of these children were trained by the age of 18 months.  In the 1980s, about 50% of children wore cloth diapers, while the other 50% wore disposable diapers and only about 50% of the children were potty trained by the age of 18 months.  Today, almost 90-95% of children wear disposable diapers and only about 10% of children are potty trained by the age of 18 months.  Today, the average age for potty training is about 30 months with the age ranging from 18-60 months.  -http://www.pottytrainingconcepts.com/A-History-of-Potty-Training.html

For our first week, we dedicated ourselves to "potty bootcamp" for our little enlistee since everyone is out of school and able to help.  She will be 18-months-old on New Year's Day 2011.  We are using the Fast Track method which basically consists of letting her run around without underwear and setting a timer for trips to the potty.  After 6 days, she seems to understand the basic concepts of "wet" and "dry."  She usually says "stinky"  as she is going or just after.  By the end of the week, she was making it in the potty about 75% of the time when taken and set on the toilet.  She is yet to self-initiate, but hopefully that will come with time.  : )

Here is a flow chart with the basic method:




Potty Training Boot Camp

Official Results From The Diaper Diaries:

We have officially given up all disposable diapers from day #1.  She wears plastic pants or cloth diapers at night and when we leave the house.  We try to keep her bare-bottomed during the day so she can get the full effect of her accidents.  : )  We started on December 20, 2010.

After 1 Week:  Going in the potty about 50% of the time she is set on it.  Says "stinky" after accidents 80% of the time.  Not self-initiating before she needs to go.

After 2 Weeks:  Making it to the potty about 75% of the time.  A couple accidents a day.  At the end of two weeks she stayed dry during church, said "stinky" and went in a new bathroom!!  Horray!!  She is wearing cloth diapers at night.

After 3 Months:  Total regression.  Never stays dry.  Does not let us know when she needs to go.  We have decided to wait a few months and try again.