Early Toilet Training Is Best

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
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....Response: Hogwash! In 1957, researchers at Harvard University found that more than 80 percent of American children were successfully trained by age 24 months. There is absolutely no evidence, anecdotal or otherwise, to suggest this was generally stressful, much less harmful....

Just to clarify, this is based solely on one research study from 1957?

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Contention: The typical child is not ready, either physically or psychologically, to be toilet trained before his or her second birthday. Therefore, whereas toilet training can be accomplished during this time, it is generally stressful for both parent and child and can result in later problems.

Response: Hogwash! In 1957, researchers at Harvard University found that more than 80 percent of American children were successfully trained by age 24 months. There is absolutely no evidence, anecdotal or otherwise, to suggest this was generally stressful, much less harmful.

Probably not stressful nor harmful, but it also only proves that the PARENTS were toilet trained, not the children.

Amanda

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Late training delays a child's proper socialization and prevents his/her parents, and Mom in particular, from making the critical transition from caretaker to authority figure on time (between her child's second and third birthdays). Said another way, late training perpetuates toddlerhood and prevents Mom from "liberating" herself from her child and beginning to properly discipline.

"Late" training is fairly ambiguous. If by "late" you are referring to 2 years of age, you may want to dust off that Human Growth and Development text.

"Early" toilet training does NOT relieve mother of the caretaker duty, in fact it compounds it greatly. Late training does NOT perpetuate toddlerhood and far from liberating mother, it involves mother in the child's toileting habits to an absurd degree. Discipline and toileting are completely separate issues. A mother must discipline her child regardless of where said child is liberating his/her bodily fluids.

Amanda

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TheCommuter wrote:

> I say, if a puppy can be house-trained within a week, then surely an 18-month-old can be toilet trained within a month!

How many puppies have you house-trained, and how many 18-month-old children have you toilet trained?

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I say, if a puppy can be house-trained within a week, then surely an 18-month-old can be toilet trained within a month!

I think rubbing your child's nose in it might be child abuse....but that's just my opinion.

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Also, both pediatricians and psychologists generally report seeing an increase in toilet-training problems in children 3 and older since the trend toward later training became popular in the early '70s.

Okay, okay - I'm going to bed after this post - I swear. It's just that you're really cracking me up here. I shouldn't even be taking the bait, it's just so funny that I can't stay away. Of course most toileting problems are noticed in children 3 and older - because most children who toilet are three and older.

The best time to train - between 18 and 24 months - is also the easiest.

I really want to know where these ages come from. Where are you getting this stuff?!?! The number of 18 month old children that can simply recognize urination/defection is amazingly minute. And I don't care what you think, you can't teach someone to go on the pot if they don't know before the act that they need to go.

Response: Rubbish! The accounts of children training themselves are few, and pale in comparison to reports of 4-year-olds who show absolutely no interest whatsoever in using the toilet.

You're going to have to cite this too - I really don't know many four year olds who show NO interest in using the toilet but kids actually do train themselves.

So, I'm done after one more thing - Brazelton is truly one of the most brilliant pediatricians known to man. His insights into pediatric health and development have been invaluable. You may fare better waging "all out war" against someone a little less compelling.

Thanks for making me smile!

Amanda

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Specializes in Public Health, DEI.

It is kind of hard to take anything seriously from a man who peppers his professional opinions with terms such as frog feathers and balderdash. Whatever happened to presenting the facts in a straightforward manner?

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I would like to know how many children you have potty trained? My son didn't begin talking untill he was three, how could he potty train if he was unable to communicate? I waited untill he was talking, and he realized while at daycare that his friend who was also three didnt wear diapers, and he wanted to be like his friend. So from that day on he wore underwear and went in the potty. He never once had an accident, nor has he ever wet the bed. He is now seven and he most definetaly sees me as anthority figure. Read and cite all the research that you want, but every child is different and what works for one child wont always work on the next. So how many children have you raised and potty trained to make you an expert?

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

Please keep copyright laws (and the TOS) in mind when you post an article. The link and a synopsis will do nicely.

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I have 4 boys, the first three were trained at three years of age no problems. My fourth son was also trained at three years of age. During the day he takes care of himself (he's 5 now), its just at night that he still has problems. But, this does not cause any trouble in any other part of our parent-child relationship. I personally do not agree with you, children are all different and learn to be potty trained at different times. Comparing a child to a puppy really just doesn't seem realistic to me.

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prevents Mom from "liberating" herself from her child and beginning to properly discipline.

That HAS to be a direct quote of your study from the 1950's. So, I'm "liberated" when my children are potty trained? Man, have I been doing it the hard way. What with kissing boo-boos, making meals, and generally not neglecting my children. Had I known that once my kids started wiping their own bottoms I'd be free to get out the paddle... After all, there's absolutely NOTHING anal-retentive about mixing potty training and discipline...

Not only is your info 50 years out of date, but:

The proper term is NOT potty training, you are correct, training is what you do to a dog, for children it is "toilet teaching"

The "revolution" in disposable diapers did not change a child's ability to use the toilet, it changed a parents desire to BE enslaved to the toilet. When you "train" that early, the only one you "train" is the parent... It is a selfish desire to try to force a child to do something they are not ready for to make our lives easier, but to free themselves from washing cloth diapers, many moms of yesteryear pushed for early toileting.

Have you considered that just like our patents have individual needs, so do our children? Yes, some children ARE ready to use the toilet at 18-24 months. Others are not ready until 30-36 months. Some children walk at 9 months, others not until 17 months. The process that governed the rate at which a child can walk (mylenation) also controls the nerves which control the bladder. If your nerves to your bladder (Which mature slowly) are not mature, you can not have control.

I would also suggest you look at how elemination in gerneral is delt with in other cultures.

Are you currently dealing with frustration over trying to pottytrain someone? This is an unusaul forum for such a topic. But please know there ARE parentling forums out there for you...

Some resources from this decade for you:

Parents Book of Toilet Teaching

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345436415/qid=1138517015/sr=1-9/ref=sr_1_9/102-0920633-5049723?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

Book Description

Take the frustration out of toilet teaching with the first comprehensive guide based on understanding your child's needs first. Sensible and sensitive, this new, easy-to-use book will turn toilet teaching into a natural, growing experience, as you learn: How to instill reassuring daily routines; how to ease the transition from diapers to underpants; how to reinforce success--and alleviate stress, and much more.

PARENTING Guide to Toilet Training

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/034541182X/qid=1138517174/sr=1-8/ref=sr_1_8/102-0920633-5049723?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

Book Description

A RELAXED, EFFECTIVE APPROACH TO TOILET TRAINING--

JUST IN TIME.

With its expert advice, lively style, and straightforward approach, PARENTING magazine has made itself the resource for informed parents. Now, readers of the magazine welcome the same mix of key facts, calm reassurance, and proven advice in the PARENTING books. This addition to the series offers a well-planned and stress-free guide to toilet training:

Reading the Readiness Signs: When and how children develop bladder and bowel control - Recognizing your child's cues - Why waiting is better than rushing

Getting Started: Letting your child take the lead - Equipment essentials, from potty to underpants - Bathroom language that you're comfortable with--and that your child will understand

Finding the right approach: Establishing rituals - The importance of role modeling and praise - All about wiping and washing

Dealing with Setbacks and Frustrations: Keeping your cool when accidents happen - The differences between training boys and girls - Strategies if your child resists

The Stages of Potty Practice: Encouraging regular habits - Giving your growing child more independence - When to switch to underpants - Using public toilets

Staying Dry at Night: Tips from experts and parents - Helping the chronic sleep-wetter break the habit - When to seek help

Includes an original, illustrated children's story in the back of the book

The American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to Toilet Training

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0553381083/qid=1138516884/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/102-0920633-5049723?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

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