S/O. What’s the point of potty training so young?

[Anonymous]

DS is just eight-months-old and we’re first time parents so I honestly do not know. DH was three when he toilet trained and I think I was around the same (my parents are gone).

Aren’t diapers easier?

[Anonymous]

Diapers are definitely not easier than your kids using the toilet. It takes a few weeks but no more diaper bag, changing tables, diaper smell, etc. It’s so worth it. They should show prerequisite skills first though so i wouldn’t try training yet, but you do you.

[Anonymous]

We waited until third birthday with our oldest and he had a “poop phobia” by that time and was afraid to poop anywhere but a diaper. It went on for over nine months and was so awful for him. Our two younger boy’s potty trained early, both before two, and it was messy, challenging, hard for the parents but worth it for our younger boys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Diapers are definitely not easier than your kids using the toilet. It takes a few weeks but no more diaper bag, changing tables, diaper smell, etc. It’s so worth it. They should show prerequisite skills first though so i wouldn’t try training yet, but you do you.

OP again. We aren’t thinking about starting now!!!

[Anonymous]

Some daycare/preschool/etc requires it before letting kids attend, so parents who choose those need to do it asap

[Anonymous]

If you are curious about doing it very young look up “elimination communication”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Diapers are definitely not easier than your kids using the toilet. It takes a few weeks but no more diaper bag, changing tables, diaper smell, etc. It’s so worth it. They should show prerequisite skills first though so i wouldn’t try training yet, but you do you.

I disagree with this, although certain family and lifestyle factors might support your conclusion. DS #1 - wasn't interested in potty training until he was just over 3. We tried causally, but he wasn't interested before that. When he finally was ready, it was so easy to train him. Basically, it took a few weeks of minimal effort and he was done. Easy peasy.

DS #2 was born when DS #1 was two. DS #2, inspired by others at daycare, got very interested in the toilet when he was a little over two. He started wearing underwear, then, but there were so many accidents. Not only that, but the logistics of being alone out and about with a 4 year old and a 2 year old who is not well-established with the toilet was so stressful. That meant abandoning carts in the middle of the story to whisk two kids into the bathroom. When I was in the thick of that, I wished I had waited longer before

[Anonymous]

Diapers are expensive, and in the past people
Had to use cloth diapers which are a pain

[Anonymous]

The faster I can eliminate the need to buy and lug around diapers the easier and happier I will be.

Having said that, yes, there is a phase during potty training where the kid is still learning the feeling/timing of peeing (or pooping) in which we all mutter to ourselves "kinda wish you still wore diapers"....ie during car rides, trips, outings where no bathroom is near, when you're in a hurry, when dealing with another kid, etc.

[Anonymous]

The disposable diaper industry hired some primary care MD to write “the signs of readiness” that became very popular stating to keep kids in disposable diapers until 3. Made billions for them!

No other reason. Prior to the readily available disposable diaper, all kids potty trained around two or earlier.

Yes, disposable diapers are easier for the parents but not better for the kids.

[Anonymous]

Bragging rights. Parents with young toilet trained kids feel superior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are curious about doing it very young look up “elimination communication”

Ugh not this. This is how you end up seeing people hovering their babies over sinks in public restrooms.

[Anonymous]

Save money
Better for environment
Skip the terrible twos fight
Research shows late training is associated with incontinence in old age
Hygiene
Rashes
Some people feel a connection to their kids by potty training
Not having to clean adult texture poop out of a preschooler vulva or scrape poop off a preschooler scrotum

[Anonymous]

Easier than wiping poop diapers.

Agree on saving money, and time too, not having to order diapers.

If you have a second, it's easier to potty train while there's only one kid needing attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The disposable diaper industry hired some primary care MD to write “the signs of readiness” that became very popular stating to keep kids in disposable diapers until 3. Made billions for them!

No other reason. Prior to the readily available disposable diaper, all kids potty trained around two or earlier.

Yes, disposable diapers are easier for the parents but not better for the kids.

This! It’s so gross to me that many elements of our culture and even medical advice can be rooted in some company or industries marketing ploys to make money.

That said, we live in this day and age and whatever works best for you - do it. If that means potty training at 1 or 3 or 4 - there are ways to make it work.
Just know historically and in some places globally even today, the norm is to ease them into it from very early age and potty train approx by 2.

We sensitized DS to it around 7mo (reading books to him while on his potty etc) and started actually trying at 18mo. I so long for the days of diaper bc it’s really hard to have him peeing and pooping everywhere, but am committed to gently, consistently getting him there by 2. Less cost and less mess for us.