Potty Training Early Home
It’s Not Too Early to Potty Train Your Girl or Boy! Potty Training Early Used to be the Norm
Long before diapers, and even washing machines, baby potty training boys and girls was the norm. Today this is called elimination communication and considered an alternative style of parenting.
In the early 1900s, according to Linda Sonna PhD in Early-Start Potty Training, the debate over what age to start toilet training started when children were newborns. At that time, most parents began soon after the baby was born as they probably had for centuries.
Once the washing machine was invented, the age of toilet training shifted to about six to nine months as parents relied more on washable cloth diapers. Then came disposable diapers, which undoubtedly have had the biggest influence on what parents and doctors alike think children are capable of in regards to potty training and even bowel and bladder control in children.
Through the 1950s to 1970s, disposable diapers were considered a luxury item; many parents still used cloth diapers. However, this luxury item did push the overall age to about 18 months in part because of exceptional diaper marketing that promoted the idea of potty training readiness. Then the diapers became cheaper, and larger.
Today, the average American child is not toilet trained until 3 years of age or later.
You Can Potty Train Earlier
You do not have to wait until your child can talk, walk, climb, ride a bike, skip, run, and say NO! to start potty training. Toilet training early (by U.S. standards) is possible (yes, even for boys!) and when done using gentle methods and just making toilet time a part of the daily routine just as you do bath time, does not harm a child.
In fact, there are many health benefits to early potty training and as a bonus, you’ll save money.
If you are looking for information on how to potty train your infant or toddler using gentle and positive methods before the age of two, then you’ll find all you need here with all of the best advice, tips, research, and even personal stories and insight in one place. If your child is older, you will still find the methods discussed here, which are parent-led, can be used for any age.
Don’t let your parent friends dissuade you (and some will try). There was a time in U.S. when potty training before the age of two was not considered early. And cultures around the world still practice early potty training and elimination communication.
Sonna states that worldwide, most children are toilet trained by the age of two. Other statistics show 50 percent of the world’s children are toilet trained by 12 months of age. If others can do it so can you. Your child is no less capable of pooping and peeing in a basin or toilet at an early age than our ancestors or children around the world.
