[whale-woman]

I was reading some studies looking at the history of toilet training and it seems that with the advent of hot water on tap, washing machines and later disposable nappies the effort required to keep a kid in nappies has dropped massively with a corresponding delay in the time that kids are toilet trained. A few generations ago I suspect no one would have batted an eye lid at your plan. Certainly all the evidence I've looked at suggests the earlier you start TT the earlier it's completed. Personally If you're up for it, I'd have no issues giving it a go. I hate nappies and are willing to go through a lot to get rid of them and certainly don't understand the culture of waiting for a kid to say it wants out of nappies/to use the toilet before considering it 'ready' and then expecting it to be sorted in a couple of days. The advice I was given is that a kid who stays dry through their nap is capable of TT. Go slow with it and back off if it's causing issues. My MIL had her sons trained very early using a potty chair as they routinely pooped after meals and just learn to go that way. If your DD has a pooping routine it sounds an easy place to start and if you get her so youre not changing poopy nappies that's awesome.

[Tigerdog]

That's not toilet-training - that's just predicting and catching the mess before it happens. I'd probably be waiting at least until after the age of 2 before actively doing anything.

[SeaPrincess]

To me, TT means kids are able to get to the potty or toilet, pull down their pants, do their business, wipe, pull up pants, etc.

I disagree with this, but then it's all about expectations. To me, TT means reliably able to tell me they need to go - if it was a nappy, I'd still have to strip them down to change, so what difference does that make? The youngest of my children to achieve this was 20 months. My #3 is not quite 3.5 and we are completely nappy free.

[tilley1019]

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to mention another forum, but are you on babycenter?
On the US version there's a fabulous group called something like Toilet training your baby, and in the sticky they have so many good ideas on how to implement toilet training. My bub is 11 months, and once she's able to walk I think we'll be giving it a go as well.

The girls there are really supportive, there's journals to read about other toilet training experiences, and alot of helpful links. Some of the stuff there is so simple, but really helpful. My sister in law is toilet training her 3 year old and that sounds like alot more work psychologically than the younger babies that feature in the group.
My understanding is that it's easier if the child can walk and say/sign that they need to go to the toilet.

Good luck!

[Madnesscraves]

Thanks everyone. So far DD is able to tell me when she's about to do a poo so I can get her to the toilet on time. I figured i'd start with the poos and work my way over to the wees then tackle night time toilet training later.

While I get everyone's opinions of what toilet training is, even if it's just catching the wees and poos in the toilet instead of the nappy using elimination communication, surely, that's just as effective as TT at 2.5? they learn as time goes thats where they do their business.

It hasn't been hard. She doesn't get upset being on the toliet. I take her to it when she wants to poo, and after eating breakfast/lunch/dinner which instead of using 4-5 nappies a day I am down to 2-3 nappies a day. its not much of my time to sit her on the loo for between 5-10 minutes. we just sit there read a book, sing a song, play a game until she goes. If she was really upset, I'd just not bother at all, but she's happy enough to sit there.

Thanks for the info on the other forum. I'll have a look over there!