Tips On Potty Training
Teaching your child how to use the bathroom independently takes time and patience. As a new parent, you may also find that you hear conflicting advice from other parents that makes the whole process even more confusing. The good news is that potty training doesn’t have to be difficult when you know how to gently ease your child into the next stage of their development.
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Make Sure They Are Ready
One of the biggest mistakes that you can make is trying to start training your child too early. There is not a set age for when you should begin introducing your child to using a toilet. Instead, it is better to look for signs that they are ready to begin learning. Watch to see if your child can follow simple instructions and use a few basic words to let you know when they need to go. Some children will also begin to pull at their diaper or remove their clothing when they are ready to train.
Choose a Comfortable Potty
The typical toilet is usually too large and intimidating for young children to start out on. A potty chair is smaller, and most models have a removable bowl that is easy for you to clean. You can also place potty chairs in different parts of the house so that you can act on your child’s signals right away.
Point Out Their Behaviors
Your child might not be fully aware of when they are urinating or having a bowel movement. Take note of the behaviors that they express before they do. Some children make a specific face or grunt. Others might move to a different place in the room or squat. Let your child know when you see these behaviors and quickly help them get to the potty.
Create a Routine
Routines are especially effective for training your child to use the restroom. Try having your child sit on their new potty after they first wake up and before bedtime. They may also have success if they use the restroom about 30 minutes after they eat or drink. Your child doesn’t have to sit on the potty for more than a few seconds, but getting them used to going on a regular basis will speed up the training process.
Be Consistent With Other Caregivers
You can also work with your child’s other parent, grandparents, and child care teachers to develop a consistent routine. Share what you do to help your child use the potty, and ask that they also do the same. When your child sees that everyone has similar expectations, they’ll be more likely to follow along.
Focus on Giving Praise
During the training process, it is important to remember that all children develop at different rates. Accidents happen, and your child does not do it purposely. Punishing your child for having wet training pets can cause them to regress and associate using the potty with fear. Instead, make a big deal about their successful attempts to use the potty. Reward them with praise and maybe a sticker to give them a visual reminder of their success.
On average, potty training can take several weeks or months. Try to stay relaxed as you work with your child. With time and lots of encouragement, they’ll master this major milestone and be proud of their accomplishment.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.
