Potty training and a new baby?

Question

Hubby and I are expecting baby #2 in four months. Our first child is 22 months old right now. I'd like to introduce potty training soon because she has shown a real interest and I believe she's ready. However, I've read that a new baby can push a toddler's potty training progress way back, and I would hate to spend all that time training her if she is likely to revert back to diapers.

To the experienced parents out there, what has worked for you and what do you suggest? Would it be better to wait until she's had a chance to adjust to the new baby before even thinking of the potty? Or would it be better to get started now and deal with any set-backs as they come?

Answer 1

I would go ahead and start, but not push it. She may regress when the baby comes or she may not. If she does experience a setback when the baby comes, just take a break for a while and start again. It will be easier to get her back in the habit if she already started potty training.

Answer 2

I had that happen with my first one. I had her almost potty trained and then when the 2nd one was 5 months old I had problems. If I had to do it again I would just have patience with her. Start introducing her to the potty and have her sit on it when you are going potty too. But don't get upset with her if she balks after the new one comes along. patience patience.

Answer 3

As a single mother of three, my best advice to you is to train her now...it will give her a sense of pride, because she will most likely resent her baby brother or sister at first.
When she is ready, that's the best time, if you wait....it may set things back.
She will adjust fine if you include her in everything with the baby.

Answer 4

Start now and have the patience of Job on your side in your heart. Love is the teacher, you are the messanger, and you are will equiped to do the job right!
It is amazing how important this time in your babies lives are for them. They learn so much, but the most important thing is that they learn they are loved for themselves, and not just loved for obeying.
Thank you for being a loving Mother.
Great Question!

Answer 5

you should start training her now, just give her lots of praise, and when the new baby comes let her know that she the big sister and using the potty is what big sisters do. its going to be hard giving them both the attrition the will need but just encourage her to use and encourage her to be the big sister and let her help with the new baby.

Answer 6

How to Potty Train The five potty training methods

I think the hardest part of any task (including potty training) is figuring out HOW you are going to do. Once you have figured it out, then it is a matter of getting everything together and just doing it. Not only does this article presents the 5 different ways on HOW to potty train your child, it also presents the pros and cons of each potty training method.

There are many different ways to potty train your toddler. At last count, I had found 35 different books for parents on potty training and I own most of those books. Based on my research and understanding, I break HOW to potty train down into the following five methods:

The Infant Method:

• Most used potty training method in underdeveloped nations around the world and probably the least used potty training method in North America .

• It basically involves holding the infant over a potty to catch the eliminations.

• It basically works by having the mom learn the infant's rhythms and infant learns to recognize physical sensations that precede elimination.

• This is very effective when the disposable diaper use is minimal or nonexistent.

• Infants can learn to signal when they need to relieve themselves.

Pros
Cons

Promotes parent child bonding
Time consuming; nearly impossible for working mothers.

Start early, finish early
Have to stay on top of it and stick with it until child can potty independently.

Wetting and soiling are not likely to become entrenched habits
Accidents and accident clean up

Limited use of diapers results in:

• Cost effective

• Prevents diaper rash

• Better for the environment

• More hygienic


It's potty time!! -Practice until you get it right potty training method:

• Introduce the potty to your child

• Have potty be accessible

• And then gradually teach him/her to use it.

• This will include:

• holding regular practice sessions

• rewarding child with things such as stickers or candy or whatever works for you child

• charting progress

• Gradually transitioning from diapers to potty to underwear.

Pros
Cons

This method can easily fit into a today's family's busy schedules
Sticking to the structure and schedule until the toddler is potty trained

With some planning, some structure can be created around the practice sessions i.e. in the morning and in the evening.
Could take anywhere from a weekend to a few months depending on the child's maturity level, temperament and readiness.

Is done gradually over time.
May not learn to initiate him/herself, because parent always initiates.

Very limited accidents, if any.
Keeping the curios toddler interested long enough to sit on the potty and relax, so s/he is able to eliminate.




The Potty Training in One Day Method:
(aka Dr Phil's Potty Training Method)
Based on two simple concepts:

1) Best way to learn something is to teach it.

• Use a potty training doll to model the appropriate potty training behavior for your child

2) Behavior is shaped by consequence

• Use consequences for action - logical and natural.

Read an excerpt from the Parent's Potty Training Guide: How to Potty Train in One Day.

Pros
Cons

Quick - can be done in less than one day to a maximum of 2 weeks
Takes planning and preparation

Is a structured method.
Is a structured method.

Tools are now available.
Requires follow through by parents

Made popular by Dr. Phil.
Made to look easier than it is.


He will go potty when the time is right method:

• This method is recommended by Dr Terry Brazelton and is also adopted by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

• This is probably the most used method in North America .

• The premise of the method is that since potty training is a developmental milestone in your child's life (such as walking, talking, eating etc), your task as the parent is to introduce the potty and all the related tasks to your child.

• Then when your child is ready, s/he will decide to use the potty and in effect will train themselves.

Pros
Cons

Very easy to fit into our busy lifestyle
Could take anywhere between 1-6 months or longer in many cases.

Very little preparation required on the part of the parent.
Child may quite old before s/he is ready. The average age for potty training is going up every year.

Does not require a large time commitment or consistency from parent; therefore ideal for working parents
Wetting and soiling can become entrenched habits for children.

Great in concept, but not working well in reality - especially in a society where we are so dependent on the disposable diaper.





The Naked & $75 method:

• Children 24 to 30 months of age

• Parents spend three to five consecutive days on the training.

• The child is allowed to be naked all day, with a potty available at all times.

• It is important to note that experts disagree with Rosemond's approach.

• By the way, the $75 is for the inevitable carpet cleaning.

Pros
Cons

Simple, easy and inexpensive
Not supported by experts

Quick - 3-5 days
Messy

Answer 7

I think you should start now cos once your second baby arrives, you won't feel you have plenty of time to cope with it, it is a big step for both of you and this has to be done sooner or later, and she is older enough for it. once she get the routing of doing it, then it will make much easier for you. all the best to both of your babies.

Answer 8

definitely start now make him/her think their a big boy or girl and start having him help with the new baby

Answer 9

girls are fairly easy to potty train, I would go ahead and potty train her.