What is potty training?
When
you have a baby, you have knee-length diapers. They are stored in your bag.
Stacked near the cradle. Stored in drawers under beds. You can even stash a few
in the glove compartment of your car, just in case.
Diapers
have been part of your day-to-day life for so long that it's hard to imagine
that they are no longer needed. It's like the day when your baby goes into the
bathroom, pee or poop, dry off, wash his hands and leave without you even
knowing he's far away.
And
yet that day is coming. And it will be as glorious as in your dreams. In the
meantime, there is a big project: toilet training, or, in adult terms, toilet
training. You may be ready to transition, but your baby?
When to start potty training
In potty
training, as well as in talking, walking and sleeping through the night, every
child has a different pace. There is no perfect age to start potty training.
How do you know if your child is ready? They will show their interest in a
variety of ways, including asking questions about toilets, toilet seats, and
underwear.
Whether your child is ready or not depends on where he is physically and emotionally. Many children show interest around the age of 2, while others don't care until they are 2.5 or 3 years old. But there are always exceptions. Girls usually show interest earlier than boys and understand faster.
There is no need to pull out the pot as soon as the child starts asking questions. First ask yourself a few questions:
- Can my child sit on a potty seat and get back up without my help?
- Can they follow basic instructions?
- Do they tell me when it's time to go?
- Can my child pull down diapers, training pants, or underwear without my help?
- Can they control bladder and bowel muscles and keep a diaper dry for at least 2 hours?
- Does it bother them to have a dirty diaper?
If you
answered yes to these questions, your child is ready. But are you? Although it
is easier to have a long-term clean child, it takes time, focus and a lot of
patience. Better to wait if:
- You’re about to have another child
- You’re traveling
- You’re about to move
- Your child is switching from a crib to a bed
- Your child is sick, especially if diarrhea is involved
- Your family is going through turmoil, like serious illness or death
Waiting
until you get back to your routine will help both of you succeed. If you start
potty training your child before they are ready, the process may take longer
than necessary. And, no doubt, you have already noticed how stubborn babies can
be.
Potty training tips
- Be a positive role model. When you go to the bathroom, take the opportunity to talk to your child throughout the process. Use words your child can pronounce, such as pee, poop, and potty.
- If you are planning to potty train your child, put him in the bathroom so that he gets used to it. Make it fun for your baby to sit, with or without a diaper. Have them sit on the potty while you read or offer a toy.
- Tune in to cues. Watch how your child behaves when he needs to pee or poop. Look for the red face and listen for the growl. Then quickly deliver them to the pan!
- Pay attention to what time they pee and poop during the day. Then set up a routine where your child will sit on the potty during this time, especially after meals or after drinking large amounts of liquid.
- Dress them in clothes that they can easily handle themselves.
- Teach them how to properly dry back and forth and wash their hands when they are done. Boys learn to write easier by first sitting.
Use
lots of praise, praise and more praise. Do words motivate your child? Graphics
stickers? Little toys or extra stories to help you fall asleep? Check out what
works best for you and use that to reward positive cleanliness choices. Your
good attitude comes in handy, especially when "accidents" happen.
Have patience when potty training
- Sitting on the potty should be a desire, not a duty. If your child doesn't like it, don't force it.
- As soon as you think your child has succeeded, accidents happen. It's okay to be upset, but don't punish or shame your child. It won't get you closer to your goal. Take a deep breath and focus on what you and your child can do better next time.
- Don't turn potty training into a power struggle. The more you push, the more they can resist. If your child is stressed and anxious, he may have failures.
- Don't compare your child with other children. Some parents like to brag about the ease of potty training in their family. So if your neighbor says his kids are potty trained themselves, smile and remember that the only right way is the one that works for you.
Nighttime and naptime potty training
When
your child is finally able to use the toilet on their own, this is an important
milestone. But staying dry when they sleep is another matter entirely. It may
take months or years for their bodies to mature to the point where they always
wake up when they need to go.
So don't worry about it. Put a protective cover over his mattress and continue to use diapers or training underwear during sleep and at night while your child is growing. But let your doctor know if he's ready to go to school and still wet at night.