Study: Don't toilet-train too early
CHICAGO, Illinois (Reuters) -- Parents eager to see their toddlers out of diapers will find early toilet training often does not lead to early success and may delay acceptance of the "potty," researchers said Monday.
Asking children younger than 27 months to use the toilet can make the training last two to three times longer, a study from The Children's Hospital in Philadelphia found.
"Earlier training is likely to take longer, which can be frustrating for both parent and child," wrote pediatrician Nathan Blum, co-author of the study published in this month's issue of the journal Pediatrics.
Toilet training for toddlers younger than 27 months required between 10 months and 14.5 months to take hold, while children 27 months or older took between 5 months and 9.5 months to heed the message, the report said.
"Our study does not suggest that 27 months is a clear milestone for every child," said co-author Bruce Taubman, a physician. "Parents should consider their child's individual readiness, family situation and cultural beliefs when making the decision to initiate training."
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