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If You Think You Can Potty Train a Newborn, I Have a Bridge to Sell You
Parenting
If You Think You Can Potty Train a Newborn, I Have a Bridge to Sell You
by Lisa Matthews
Updated: Aug. 20, 2015
Originally Published: June 2, 2015
Meet Australian mom Jenna Thompson, who has been attempting to potty train her little one since he was just three weeks old. Now that he’s nearly a year old, she claims he communicates his bathroom needs with sounds. An “uh-oh” means a bowel movement is imminent, while at night, a little “eh eh” signals it’s time to go. Really? “LOL” translates to “trying to potty train a three-week-old is a total waste of time.”
According to the Daily Telegraph, Jenna mentioned that the toughest phase was between two and four months because it became more of a project for her. “I was so determined to catch every wee and poop!” she said. Her son has adapted to using an EcoBabyloo (which costs around $100), though her husband prefers to stay out of it due to work commitments.
Let’s be honest: if you’re the one monitoring cues and holding your child over the potty, you’re not really potty training. You’re simply training yourself to react to your baby’s signals. Jenna notes, “I learned to look for his signs after breastfeeding because a lot goes in, so something has to come out. He’s also very consistent in the mornings and after naps. Babies follow an adult rhythm, just at a faster pace.”
If you want to spend your entire day watching your infant so you can claim he’s potty trained — go for it. But let’s face it: spending months staring at your child and periodically holding him over the potty isn’t potty training; it’s a massive time sink. Think of everything else you could’ve accomplished: books read, crafts finished, or even binge-watching your favorite shows.
Potty training babies isn’t a brand-new idea — Elimination Communication suggests that kids are born with the ability to be potty trained, and we end up teaching them to get comfortable in dirty diapers. That’s one perspective. Another is that diapers, whether cloth or disposable, provide parents the freedom to not have to watch their kids constantly, hoping to whisk them away to the toilet before they make a mess.
If you’re potty training a child who can’t even get to the toilet by themselves yet, they’re not truly potty trained. You’re just rushing them to the toilet, which isn’t quite the same thing. No judgment here for parents who have the time and inclination to do this, but let’s not call it “potty training.” That feels like a stretch — a big one.
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In summary, while some parents may find success in early potty training techniques, the reality often involves a lot of close monitoring rather than actual training. There’s certainly no harm in trying, but let’s not confuse vigilant observation with successful potty training.