The Early Start Potty Training Method: Start as early as 9 month old!

If your baby can sit up unassisted, they can start potty training. This was a wild thought to me, but the book "Early Start Potty Training" by Linda Sonna explained it so well. Her book completely changed my mind about the process of toilet teaching little ones.

Sonna explains how in the United States in particular, in the 1950's with the release of Pampers, the first disposable diapers, thinking completely shifted around the "ideal" age to begin potty training children.

Prior to this time, in the U.S. and in countries around the world, particularly those without easy access to washing clothes, babies were expected to be fully potty independent by age 2.

It wasn't until Pampers sponsored a study to prove that waiting until age three to begin potty training, that this became the norm. They had a vested interest in parents using disposable diapers for 3 years minimum before beginning the process of teaching them to use the toilet.

In other countries, reusable cloth diapers were the norm, it was messy and time consuming, so they began the potty learning process as soon as babies could sit up. In order to implement the Early Start Potty Training method, you have to redefine "potty training" for yourself.

If you think of a "potty trained child" as one who can tell you they need to go, get to the bathroom, undress, get on the potty, do their business, wipe, redress and repeat this process whenever needed - you will definitely be disappointed by a 9 month old.

However, if you're able to release the idea of total independence = potty trained, and instead aim for making toilet usage a small part of a daily routine which over the long term slowly becomes increasingly independent, this is the best mindset for this method.

The simplest way to start: No matter how young, if they can sit up unassisted, place them on a potty their size every time they wake. In the morning and after any sleeping, sit them on the potty. If they pee or poop, they get a small reward (I used mini M&Ms). Then re-diaper.

The key is - no stress. No pressure. Keep it fun, keep it quick and keep it light. Sitting on the potty should be as routine as sitting in the bathtub. Allow the child to sit with a book, toys, anything to keep them occupied, but as soon as they want off, let them. No fuss.

Slowly, over time, this routine will lead to regular toilet usage, and as the child ages they'll be able to do more and more of it unassisted. The Early Start Potty Training Method is no quick gimmick. It is a long term plan, but it is a low-stress and effective training method.