You should really wait until he is two or a little after two. They say that boys are harder than girls. But I know this really great website it pretty much can answer any questions you have www.babycenter.com

It's a personal choice and partly depends on the interest of the little one and your persistence. My understanding is the earlier you start, the longer you train. Most kids aren't completely daytime potty trained (little or no accidents) until 2 1/2 or 3+, regardless of starting age.

My son showed a good bit of interest between 18 months and 2nd birthday but I wasn't ready. I'm probably going to make a more concerted effort when he's 2 1/2 around March.

my son had a potty from around 20months, but only now he is nearly 3, is he actually using it majority of the time, with very few accidents, he also uses it through the night, pressuring him to do it doesnt work...when he was 2, i had a stash of cheap toys, like cars, colouring pencils, so i could reward him for using the potty, as he got older the rewards were for when he went for poo, and now he doesnt have anything. lots of praise, dont get angry if he has an accident, but dont try too ealry either....each child is different.

Some general rules of thumb I give my parents include:
1. make it a positive experience.
2. let them watch you (mom and dad)...keep the doors open as they will pick up things by observing.
3. a few clues they are getting closer include moving to a specific area in the house (e.g, corner of a room) to have the poop and telling you after they've gone.

It is true that some cultures do begin at a young age (and appear to do well with it), but in the U.S. the approach is overall much more mild and wait for your child to show some signs of being ready.

As far as 16 months of age, I usually don't see much success at this age, so maybe for now, but his potty near yours and let him watch you and dad.

Hope this helps,

Dr. Jeremy

It is true that girls learn easier than boys. I speak from experience. My first dughter we started training her at 16 months because she expressed intrested at Day Car and cried swhen she was wearing a diaper. My second daughter didnt start until 18 months but she picked it up really quickly. I am now doing my son (I started jsut before he turned two) and I think that it's still 2 early for him. I only started now because I wanted him to be out of diapers before my twins are born in March. Hope this information helps. And always amke sure its a posative experience for both you and your son.

Thanks so much for sharing. I guess it's not such a rush after all. Some parents that I've talked to make it sounds like you're not doing a good job if your kid isn't potty trained by the time they're 2. Mikey does watch us go, and he loves to flush the toilet so maybe he will be ready soon. I guess we'll let him check out his new potty for a while and see what he thinks. Thanks. : )

My mom potty trained us (my brothers and sisters) in the summer. She said because there was less clothes involved it made it a little easier. :) I did that with my oldest and I think it made things easier.

My boy started showing intrest in the potty at 18 months so I bought him a potty seat. I sat him down on it a few times and he lost intrest. He is 26 months now and he peed in the potty for the first time about two weeks ago. We celebrated and did the potty dance after he told his daddy he went, then.... he didn't go poop for two days. Not on the potty, not in his diaper, nothing, and he is as regular as can be. So we are going to wait a little while longer. My mom insists that he should be using the potty by now. My husbands family members all tell me that boys take longer, and not to worry about it right now.

I do have one mroe comment to add...i find that using a potty seat(a ring that goes on the toilet) easier than a potty becasue then you dont have to transition from a potty to a toilet again and also it is more portabe than a potty

my oldest was 2 1/2 when he started to use the potty, one of my nephew was potty trained by his 2nd birthday. my youngest he'll be 2 this Sat. showed interest whe he was about 16-17 months like taking his pants off and pee on the floor, also he has pooped on the floor 2 times.... talked about potty, etc, then lost interest.. he will tell us when he poops in his diaper but that's about it.. His doctor said not to rush because it could work negatively.. I'm ready for him to use his potty but if he is not I'm not going to force it on him. I'll ask him couple of times a day if he wants go to potty and he'll say NO! so I'll wait until he say yes.

I truly believe that there is no age limit, it all depends on each child, if they show interest then induldge,if they could care less then don't worry about it, My son will be 2 next month and he's still scared of the potty, my older son was completely potty trained before his first birthday, every child is diff, it is so much easier on you when you let them deciede when it's time!

Feeling some pressure from my mother too. Every time the potty training subject is brought up, she goes on about how early she started each of us and that we were each fully trained before 2.

i just got my 14month old a urinal not a potty he uses it everynow and then im not gonna rush him.... my pedi told me i could intraduce it to him but not to push since he's so young... and boys cant really fill thier bladders until thier at least 2 1/2 years but i started and he goes when ever daddy goes so that helps alot good luck on the potty training

It is common around 18 months for them to show interest but many of us miss it so we are forced to wait until later. My daughter was dry on her 2nd bday and is doing great now 6 months later. Watch HIM!!!! He will lead the way but there is nothing wrong with letting him sit on the potty while you do (if it's a separate chair or before or after you do if not). Like Dr J said, make it positive. You could also start by making times when you just go sit. Not really expecting them to go but times like before bathtime, before bed, before going out etc so when he is ready to train, then it's already part of the routine. Good luck and just listen to what your son is telling you in his actions. HTH!

My son is nearly 31 months old, he has gone an average of 4 times perhaps, but I am not going to rush him, though I am constantly wanting to work on it and get it accomplished. Lots of patience, though its hard, it will get done. GOOD LUCK! ~shelly&jt~