Early Potty Training

If you asked me if I am potty training my nearly one year old I would have said no a week ago, but today I think I might just say, "Yes!"  For months now Addi has been going on the toilet for pooping and less then a month after that started she started peeing when she sat on the toilet.  I know, most people who don't "early potty train" say, "You're not training you child, you're training yourself."  Today I say, "NOT TRUE!"  

Here is why, my daughter who will be one next week pees every time I put her on the toilet AND wakes up from naps dry!  Now I don't run her to the toilet every half hour at all.  When we started out I put her on when she was grunting and turning red, she's a pretty obvious pooper.  Then I started getting her "pooptine" down: when she wakes up/after breakfast, after lunch/nap, and before bed again.  Most the time I waited until I heard the grunts, then whisked her off.  I LOVE not wiping a poopy bottom, no diaper rashes, less messy cloth diapers, my daughters comfort on the toilet, and singing songs on the potty.

Now that she's getting closer to actually potty training age, 18 months, I'm putting her on the toilet first thing when she wakes up and post meals, but that's the extent of me taking her by routine.  It's no different then taking her to the bathroom to get cleaned up after a meal.

If I didn't truly love potty time and all the benefits, I would have "stopped" long ago.  However I don't see it as work at all.  It's training, just like you train your child to walk, talk, and play using fine and gross motor skills.  Addi is learning how to use her potty muscles, on her own.  She's so proud too!  She always gets a big smile on her face and claps.  How cute is that?!    

And an added bonus, I'm spending less time "potty training" now then most people do when they are training older kids.  Not saying its for everyone, but it's definitely for me because I don't see the power struggle two years from now or being scared to poo on the toilet or an array of other things.  It's simple, easy and no stress at all for us.

I would say I "accidentally" fell into early potty training (no I'm not the naked baby from day one E.C. person) but I wouldn't change a thing.  When the next one comes along there is no doubt I would do the same thing as long as they enjoy potty time, which when it starts at a young age they don't know any different.  It's just like story time for Addi!

How cute is this book?! 

There are tons of great resources out there.  Some people prefer naked from birth or a little Baby Bjorn Potty, but keeping it basic worked for me.  We naturally fell into it around 8 months, we still wear diapers most of the time with the exception of a little break to air out post potty time and I prefer a potty topper because there is no messy clean up.  Anyway, there is food for thought and a note for me to remember in a few years.  

P.S. Most countries (if not all) start potty training WAY earlier then here!  Why do you think that is?

Cloth Diapers

Ok ladies, who cloth diapers?  From day one I haven't had a single problem.  I love cloth diapering so much and now we've got a night time leakage.  I started out with gigantic diapers for night time, but then I came across Smart Bottoms and love them.  Once we started out with them I was able to use just one trim diaper at night, but now a few months later we've got soggy pajamas in the morning.

solution = flips cover + flips insert + smart bottoms prefolds

We got the layer action going on

It's a little big, but not bad all things consider

How can you resist that cheese smile 

Tiny Tot

Well, I've been doing Sign Language with Love Bug {now 9 months} for a little while.  We love the Baby Sign Language site for lots of great free resources and the Baby Signing Time video.  My little Love Bug always dances when I play the Diaper Dance video and it's just adorable! She's started really interacting when I sign to her for eat, more, nigh night, bath, potty, hi, and milk.  She's always waving and really trying to get the hands to follow.  Clapping and eat are her most successful.  I love the interaction and the learning that's happening!

Love Bug signing "Eat"

We're also a cloth diapering family, which I LOVE!  I wouldn't have it any other way in the least bit.  Our little Love Bug has always be a very obvious #2 goer, so I had this thought maybe when she starts showing signs {grunts and a red face lol} I would quick put her on Bubba Gump's {her big brother} big boy potty topper.  I researched into EC training, but I just don't think that's for me as we have a very busy, active life.  However I would love to not spray diapers and save a little wear and tear on my amazing Smart Bottom diapers, so two days ago the little one near pooped in the tub so she quickly got put on the toilet with no such luck.  Today at lunch time {a normal time for her to grunt} she started her routine, so off to the potty we went.  She sat, we signed potty, and she played with her rice shaker, {see details later} but with a few noises no luck again UNTIL part way into the bath she started "blowing bubbles" and again a trip to the potty.  Two seconds later my sweet little Love Bug had her first potty moment.  I was SO excited!  So yes, my nine month old will be rushed off to the potty for grunting moments when we are home.  No, we won't be locked to the house trying to potty train now.

Isn't she just adorable on the potty! {note the marvel comics}

For as long as I can remember love learning through research, which I thinks comes from my early homeschool days.  A friend of mine introduced me to a great site and I'm so eager to preschool my Love Bug in the future, until I found out about Tot School, which is generally for a little older tot {1-3 years old.}  Now I know it sounds CRAZY to school your nine month old, but it's not at all.  It's just one on one play time filled with learning, Tiny Tot School.

How often do you like your little one just play on their own and intervene when she pulls on your leg?  This is such a great way to plan to play with your child to teach them about the world.  For example at these young ages you introduce one object a week, like bells.  Each day you'll add something to the bells or do a difference activity to help her grasp difference concepts through their sounds.  So fun!  Plus it's a great way to have bonding playtime with your little one. 

Today's Tiny Tot School {Easter Texture Box}

We had fun with her Easter texture box today.  Through out the week we'll add object inside the eggs to add difference sounds too.  Love this time with Addi!  Plus add in your favorite Easter book and it's a fun week to learn about Jesus concurring death to give us eternal life.  Thank you Lord for your Son!