Potty Training 101
My recommended parenting book: The New Contented Little Baby Book: The Secret to Calm and Confident Parenting
Welcome to Potty Training 101
Resources and Ideas on potty training and all things baby, toddler for moms and dads!
Tips and Ideas on Potty Training
Every child trains differently. Some kids love rewards, while others reject them. For some children it takes a few days before they’re in underpants, and others take months or even longer. Some love the plastic potty, while some choose the toilet.
*Put on a potty video and store up on stickers. Try a little of this and a little of that until you find the key to your child’s potty achievement when it’s your very personal” potty time.”
*Place a potty in the bathroom. Persuade your child to sit on the potty with or without a diaper. Help your child recognize how to talk about the bathroom using simple, right terms.
*If your child is interested, have him or her sit on the potty chair or toilet without a diaper for a few minutes several times a day. For boys, it's often best to master urination sitting down, and then move to standing up after bowel training is complete. You don't want to confuse them with two ways to go.
*Read a potty-training book or give your child a special toy to use while sitting on the potty chair or toilet. Stay with your child when he or she is in the bathroom. Even if your child sits there, offer praise for trying and remind your child that he or she can try again later.
*Put on a potty video and store up on stickers. Try a little of this and a little of that until you find the key to your child’s potty achievement when it’s your very personal” potty time.”
*Place a potty in the bathroom. Persuade your child to sit on the potty with or without a diaper. Help your child recognize how to talk about the bathroom using simple, right terms.
*If your child is interested, have him or her sit on the potty chair or toilet without a diaper for a few minutes several times a day. For boys, it's often best to master urination sitting down, and then move to standing up after bowel training is complete. You don't want to confuse them with two ways to go.
*Read a potty-training book or give your child a special toy to use while sitting on the potty chair or toilet. Stay with your child when he or she is in the bathroom. Even if your child sits there, offer praise for trying and remind your child that he or she can try again later.
A fun toilet book: Everyone Poops (My Body Science Series)
*Respond quickly when you see indications that your child may need to potty such as squirming or squatting. Help your child become familiar with these signals, stop what he or she is doing and head to the toilet. Praise your child for telling you when he or she has to go.
* If you use an expression at home, make sure you tell the day care or preschool teachers what that word is. We used 'Toilet Time', while my son's teacher's used 'Time for The Bathroom'. My son did not go and had accidents because he did not know the other way to say it.
* On the same note as above, your child might be perfectly potty trained at home, but it may take more time at daycare/pre-school. Be patient.
Find Potty Training T-Shirts at CafePress
Some of your questions answered here
1. When should I begin potty training my child?
There is no clear-cut answer for this question. It really depends on your child as all children are different. You certainly should not force potty training on your child before s/he is ready. Experts say that you should give it 2-3 months between trying if your child has resisted before. I have heard of some parents training from as young as eight months and other starting around age 3 when they feel their child is confident with talking and expressing their needs vocally. Most experts will say you can definitely start by 22 months. If your child is older than 22 months then you can start trying today. You will know if your child does not respond well if s/he cries, has fears, or simply will not use the potty. If you can predict your child's bowel movements then may be this is a good time to start. Watch for indications then lure her/him to the toilet.
2. Is potty training more difficult for boys?
It is true that boys are harder to train than girls. With no male role model at home (since most boys are trained by their mothers) it doesn’t stick as fast. Also there is the standing and the sitting to deal with. Having two options can be confusing early on.
Read Toilet Learning, by author Alison Mack for more comprehensive advice.
3. How do I know if my child is ready, am I ready?
S/he may enjoy sitting in the potty, is curious about you using the bathroom, wants to know about why daddy stands and mummy sits. You will have to give up your time and fun activities if you want to the intensive training method that is used in some of the guides such as the 3 day potty training method
.4. Should I use a reward system?
I did do this with my child to exaggerate the importance (as is needed) and congratulations of going to the bathroom. We offered 1 candy for peeing and 2 for pooping. We also called daddy and told him over the phone (not necessary for the child to speak but just to acknowledge this great step.) Potty training rewards charts with stickers are a popular way to show reward. Read more from the experts below if you are need more ideas and tips.
5. Which method is best?
There are many many different methods of potty training and you will have plenty of choices in which if any to follow. It really depends which method you are most comfortable with. Some of the most popular methods are posted here:-
1. When should I begin potty training my child?
There is no clear-cut answer for this question. It really depends on your child as all children are different. You certainly should not force potty training on your child before s/he is ready. Experts say that you should give it 2-3 months between trying if your child has resisted before. I have heard of some parents training from as young as eight months and other starting around age 3 when they feel their child is confident with talking and expressing their needs vocally. Most experts will say you can definitely start by 22 months. If your child is older than 22 months then you can start trying today. You will know if your child does not respond well if s/he cries, has fears, or simply will not use the potty. If you can predict your child's bowel movements then may be this is a good time to start. Watch for indications then lure her/him to the toilet.
2. Is potty training more difficult for boys?
It is true that boys are harder to train than girls. With no male role model at home (since most boys are trained by their mothers) it doesn’t stick as fast. Also there is the standing and the sitting to deal with. Having two options can be confusing early on.
Read Toilet Learning, by author Alison Mack for more comprehensive advice.
3. How do I know if my child is ready, am I ready?
S/he may enjoy sitting in the potty, is curious about you using the bathroom, wants to know about why daddy stands and mummy sits. You will have to give up your time and fun activities if you want to the intensive training method that is used in some of the guides such as the 3 day potty training method
.4. Should I use a reward system?
I did do this with my child to exaggerate the importance (as is needed) and congratulations of going to the bathroom. We offered 1 candy for peeing and 2 for pooping. We also called daddy and told him over the phone (not necessary for the child to speak but just to acknowledge this great step.) Potty training rewards charts with stickers are a popular way to show reward. Read more from the experts below if you are need more ideas and tips.
5. Which method is best?
There are many many different methods of potty training and you will have plenty of choices in which if any to follow. It really depends which method you are most comfortable with. Some of the most popular methods are posted here:-
- The 3 day potty training method - for those who will devote this time entirely to training (which I personally used, is kind of bootcamp-like)
- Babies on Potties – a more scientific approach
- Potty power - a fun and gentle approach
Choose the approach or method that will suit your family. Some just follow thier instincts, make it up as they go. Read about one mum's easy going approach called Underwear Saturday.
The Portable Travel Potty Kalencom 2-in-1 Potette Plus
6. What about leaving the house?
I'd recommend getting a toilet trainer such as the Bjorn Toilet Trainer and taking it with you whether it be to granny's or the mall. Having the same familiar looking seat can take away fears of the going to the toliet. You can also buy a portable travel potty such as the Kalencom 2-in-1 Potette Plus, that uses disposable liners that discard like a diaper, for traveling and taking with you in the car.
7. Should I let him sleep without a diaper?
You could try checking the diaper a few mornings in a row to see if it is damp. If the diaper is dry this is a good sign you could try having him sleep with out the diaper. Use a quality organic mattress protector such as those made by Naturepedic to protect your child's mattress. Be sure to reduce liquid intake after 6pm or none at all.
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