Toddler advice thread #5

[Definitelyme]

He's 2 and a quarter! He is interested in his potty but I don't think he recognises when he needs a wee yet. He does when he needs a poo. I'm not sure if it's too soon, my OH is determined he is ready.

It’s a perfect age to start. If you leave it too long then they become so much more aware of their choices, their independence, and it’s much more likely to be a power struggle. All mine have been around 2y 2/3 months when we did it and we’ve never had any major disasters. I just pick a day and we go for it.
I think one of the worst things that can happen is when it’s not 100% after a day or two people think it’s a disaster and quit. But the first while Is all about getting them to recognise when the pee is about to come, and it can take time. If he already recognises when a poo is coming that’s perfect. If he doesn’t for a wee it doesn’t matter - potty training is helping him learn that. If he already did you’d be too late!
I always recommend the book of crap potty training.

 

[squatternutbosh]

I potty trained my lo a few weeks shy of her 3rd birthday.
she Was potty trained within 3 days.
it’s tiring, there will be a few accidents, but they pick it up quickly. I just set an alarm on my phone for every 15 mins, all day for 3 days, and when the alarm went off I placed her on the toilet for 5 mins. Worked like magic.

 

[Dianne]

I’m dying reading that, it took me about 3 months to potty train my son

 

[strawberrysunshine_x]

I’m dying reading that, it took me about 3 months to potty train my son

Not every child does it instantly don’t worry!! Some It takes longer
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I potty trained my lo a few weeks shy of her 3rd birthday.
she Was potty trained within 3 days.
it’s tiring, there will be a few accidents, but they pick it up quickly. I just set an alarm on my phone for every 15 mins, all day for 3 days, and when the alarm went off I placed her on the toilet for 5 mins. Worked like magic.

That’s quite intense! Where it worked for you may not work for someone else like that . I know with mine the more I asked him the more he was reluctant, he doesn’t really like fuss so that’s probably why. I just encouraged him lightly.. But every child is different. Please don’t think Im having a go I just want the OP to feel there are a few different methods

 

[squatternutbosh]

Not every child does it instantly don’t worry!! Some It takes longer
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That’s quite intense! Where it worked for you may not work for someone else like that . I know with mine the more I asked him the more he was reluctant, he doesn’t really like fuss so that’s probably why. I just encouraged him lightly.. But every child is different. Please don’t think Im having a go I just want the OP to feel there are a few different methods

Oh I completely agree, all children are different. This method isn’t for everyone. Mainly thing is to plan out the days, we didn’t have any outing or work or school during this time. I also completely removed the nappy & let her run around commando, so when she did have an accident it felt uncomfortable for her & she didn’t like that feeling.
It did feel tiring after the first few hours & when she started to pee on cue after a few hours I extended the alarm from 15 mins to 20, 30, 40 etc. it’s not perfect & wont work for everyone but she did cotton on pretty quickly. Good luck tho!

 

[strawberrysunshine_x]

He's 2 and a quarter! He is interested in his potty but I don't think he recognises when he needs a wee yet. He does when he needs a poo. I'm not sure if it's too soon, my OH is determined he is ready.

nappies are so absorbent these days he might not feel it. If you want to try I’d just leave his pants off and nappy and show him where the potty is so he can actually see where his wee is coming from. Doesn’t hurt to try… if it isn’t successful after a few days give it a few months. I think I attempted twice and he didn’t get it and then tried again and he did it in 2-3 weeks That may seem long to others saying three days
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Oh I completely agree, all children are different. This method isn’t for everyone. Mainly thing is to plan out the days, we didn’t have any outing or work or school during this time. I also completely removed the nappy & let her run around commando, so when she did have an accident it felt uncomfortable for her & she didn’t like that feeling.
It did feel tiring after the first few hours & when she started to pee on cue after a few hours I extended the alarm from 15 mins to 20, 30, 40 etc. it’s not perfect & wont work for everyone but she did cotton on pretty quickly. Good luck tho!

That’s similar to what we did except the alarms. Cos it was hot he was naked anyway and he weed a few times on the floor then I eventually managed to catch one in his potty then after that went quite well with a few hiccups along the way but he’s done great. We didn’t go anywhere either at first mainly i was too scared.. We’ve gotten rid of the potty and he uses the toilet now.

 

[Dianne]

Happy to say after my previous post about a crazy nursery session which I hated, I viewed a private nursery and felt much happier with that environment. It’s small with plenty of staff and home cooked meals, nice kids. Definitely go with your gut with these things! Don’t feel as sad and anxious about him going to nursery now.

 

[ImDavidBrent]

He's 2 and a quarter! He is interested in his potty but I don't think he recognises when he needs a wee yet. He does when he needs a poo. I'm not sure if it's too soon, my OH is determined he is ready.

I’m thinking of getting a potty for my LO now too. I don’t want to force any pressure yet though to begin with. She’s recognising when she goes in her nappy now although she calls both things “poo poo”. So I was thinking getting a potty now and just encouraging her to sit on it and introducing the idea of it and making her aware of it. She’s just 2. Hoping that’s an alright way to start the process.

 

[ElektraWintour]

My daughter saw a doctor this morning about potential dyspraxia. They pretty much brushed it aside as I was expecting. He checked her ears to check there’s nothing going on there. Wish I could feel relieved but just feel brushed aside. Doctor is going to write to health visitor to ask them to review but not really expecting anything there either. Dropped daughter off at nursery after and staff asked how it went and they seemed disappointed that nothing is happening so makes me think/reassured me that something isn’t quite right if they’re backing us up. Appreciate they aren’t medically trained but obviously they can watch how her motor skills progress against her peers. Anyway sorry just needed to vent my frustration.

 

[LittleBluebird]

Food / feeding related question.
Toddler Bluebird is just 1 & generally eats well. Two nights ago she really started pointing at different food on her plate, indicating that, for example, she’d like the broccoli. I picked it up and said “do you want the broccoli?” Or “is this what you want?” And she’d nod it shake. She ate nearly everything from her plate that night and basically nothing ended up on the floor, though I was handing her food. We did it last night too to similar success. She v v clearly knows what she wants / doesn’t want, and is in the mood for carrots until they’re gone and then the chicken, etc.

Is this a bad approach?

@Definitelyme I can’t remember if I replied re Copenhagen, but I LOVED IT. V v child friendly (minus their airport), and excellent playgrounds. Food seems to be all organic / sustainable, and adults were fun to chat with at the playgrounds. Love their focus on getting outdoors / nature / fresh air.

 

[WhatABore]

Food / feeding related question.
Toddler Bluebird is just 1 & generally eats well. Two nights ago she really started pointing at different food on her plate, indicating that, for example, she’d like the broccoli. I picked it up and said “do you want the broccoli?” Or “is this what you want?” And she’d nod it shake. She ate nearly everything from her plate that night and basically nothing ended up on the floor, though I was handing her food. We did it last night too to similar success. She v v clearly knows what she wants / doesn’t want, and is in the mood for carrots until they’re gone and then the chicken, etc.

Is this a bad approach?

@Definitelyme I can’t remember if I replied re Copenhagen, but I LOVED IT. V v child friendly (minus their airport), and excellent playgrounds. Food seems to be all organic / sustainable, and adults were fun to chat with at the playgrounds. Love their focus on getting outdoors / nature / fresh air.

I guess it depends if you're happy to hand her all her food constantly. Rather than if it's bad.
If you're happy to do so, then I don't see what's wrong with it.
I guess the only thing is, will she eat without doing that and she may expect it every time and may be hard to get her to eat by herself?
But again, if you're okay with that, then why not

 

[LittleBluebird]

Those are all good points. Thank you! I ordered a new bowl / plate set that’ll hopefully suction to the Tripp Trapp tray and hope that’ll help her

 

[jackieweaver’sauthority]

Can she reach the table? Could you remove the tray so she can come to the table and get to the food? Mine are better in her highchair if she was at the table with us at that age rather than the tray.

 

[strawberrysunshine_x]

Is it the school holidays if you don’t end up in a&e . 130pm thought I’d curl my hair he ran over to tell me he needed a wee … I put the curler down and as I put it down he flung his arms a little and his hand went onto my curler.
omg he cried and screamed so much!! It started bleeding a little so we went straight to a&e. We’ve been there all afternoon. Got home 630. The senior doctor didn’t want to send us home without the plastic surgeon seeing it!!!! So I was sat there for three hours whilst the doctor was in surgery. He doesn’t need it. Sent us home with a bandage and have to go back on Wednesday
I feel absolutely terrible poor little munchkin. I’m gonna take him to his favourite ice cream shop tomorrow

 

[Jellybean093]

Is it the school holidays if you don’t end up in a&e . 130pm thought I’d curl my hair he ran over to tell me he needed a wee … I put the curler down and as I put it down he flung his arms a little and his hand went onto my curler.
omg he cried and screamed so much!! It started bleeding a little so we went straight to a&e. We’ve been there all afternoon. Got home 630. The senior doctor didn’t want to send us home without the plastic surgeon seeing it!!!! So I was sat there for three hours whilst the doctor was in surgery. He doesn’t need it. Sent us home with a bandage and have to go back on Wednesday
I feel absolutely terrible poor little munchkin. I’m gonna take him to his favourite ice cream shop tomorrow

Ah, accidents happen. One of mine done it with my straighteners too. Can’t remember which one, and can’t remember what I did, but yes, it all seems to happen in the summer hols!!

Found a blister on the babies back. 14 days after his brother had his first huge spot. Fun!

 

[ImDavidBrent]

Random but does anyone else do this- my toddler is having a much needed (for us parents) sleepover at her grandparents and so me and husband went out for a meal, we’re now home and I’m sat looking through her photographs on my phone, could be doing anything else but nope just scrolling through thinking aww 🥹

 

[Jellybean093]

Random but does anyone else do this- my toddler is having a much needed (for us parents) sleepover at her grandparents and so me and husband went out for a meal, we’re now home and I’m sat looking through her photographs on my phone, could be doing anything else but nope just scrolling through thinking aww 🥹

Yes

 

[ElektraWintour]

Random but does anyone else do this- my toddler is having a much needed (for us parents) sleepover at her grandparents and so me and husband went out for a meal, we’re now home and I’m sat looking through her photographs on my phone, could be doing anything else but nope just scrolling through thinking aww 🥹

I do that every night after she’s gone to bed

I’ve booked our first school tour for September at the risk of sounding like an idiot I don’t understand how the whole catchment thing works. I’m in England and I’ve looked up on my local authority website and it’s told me what our catchment school is. But then you have to apply/list three schools you like? So assume we’re happy with catchment that goes down as first choice and then do you pick the next 2 closest schools assuming I like those too?

 

[WhatABore]

I do that every night after she’s gone to bed

I’ve booked our first school tour for September at the risk of sounding like an idiot I don’t understand how the whole catchment thing works. I’m in England and I’ve looked up on my local authority website and it’s told me what our catchment school is. But then you have to apply/list three schools you like? So assume we’re happy with catchment that goes down as first choice and then do you pick the next 2 closest schools assuming I like those too?

I just picked the next 2 closest.
I think it's more so if people don't want to put their catchment place down first?
I don't know anyone that hasn't got the school in their catchment area here though

 

[Kit123]

We were doing pretty well with potty training, she knows when she needs to go and will take herself off HOWEVER only when she has nothing on.
So at nursery she's still having a nappy as she kept having accidents when I would put knickers on her.
Not sure how to get around it.