Children may be ready for potty training at any age, but some need a little help. If your child is pulling at their diaper, or they seem to be holding in urine and/or poop, then it might be time to start toilet training.
It can be difficult for children to let go of ownership of their diapers, but this is a vital part of the potty training process. Visit https://nextdaypotty.com/ to learn more.
1. Let Your Child See You Use the Potty
Your child will learn most of what they know about the potty through your example. So, take them to the toilet while they are wearing diapers and explain what you’re doing. It can also help to set a schedule, such as having them sit on the potty chair after waking with a dry diaper or 45 minutes to an hour after drinking lots of liquids. This will help your child to recognize their own “got to go” signals and learn that they can get rid of the diaper once they’re ready.
Be patient if they have an accident, and don’t make them feel guilty about it. Accidents are a natural part of the potty training process and will happen from time to time. You can help them by letting them feel the wetness of their clothes so they understand that it happens when they don’t use the potty when they need to.
Some children have performance anxiety and will hold their pee even after they’ve sat on the potty. This is usually because they are afraid that the toilet will flush parts of their body away or they’ll be sucked into the toilet (which isn’t true, but they do think it is!). Luckily, most of these issues can be resolved with some patience and understanding.
For example, if they’re holding their pee because they’re scared of the toilet flushing, try dumping the contents of their dirty diaper into the potty chair and toilet to show that it will not flush them. If they’re scared of pooping in the potty, you can set a routine where they poop in their pull-up behind the sofa or somewhere else, until they’re comfortable enough to poop on the potty.
Once your child is successfully using the potty, praise them and give plenty of positive reinforcement. You can also help them to avoid accidents by getting them into underwear, and making sure they stay on the potty until they have urinated or passed a bowel movement. If they’re having trouble, be patient and gently encourage them to continue trying.
2. Let Your Child See Other Children Use the Potty
Many children take interest in other children’s behavior and like to imitate it. Showing your child pictures of other young children using the potty can encourage their curiosity about the process. Also, read books about potty training together and discuss the topics in a way that your child can understand.
The best time for children to use the potty is when they have a full bladder and can feel that they need to go. Some kids will let you know by asking for a diaper change when their bladder or bowel is ready to empty. However, some kids do not feel the urge until they are very full and may not realize it until they have a leaky diaper or bowel movement. It is important to try to catch your child before this happens by taking them on the potty regularly, especially when they seem a little antsy or fussy.
You should make trips to the toilet part of your child’s daily routine, such as after waking or after meals and before and after naps. A regular routine will help your child become accustomed to the location, the seat, and how to sit on it comfortably. It will also allow you to monitor your child’s progress toward reaching the potty milestone.
Choose a potty chair that is low enough for your child to place their feet firmly on the floor and will not tip over easily (Picture 1). Be sure to talk to your child about how they are going to use it and what they should do when they are sitting on it. It is also helpful to teach your child a word for their body parts and the process, such as pee or poop.
Some children do not feel comfortable exposing their genitals, so they may be reluctant to use the potty at first. This is normal. Do not force your child to sit on the potty if they do not want to, and encourage them to stay on longer than they did at first by rewarding them with a sticker or telling them they are a big boy or girl now.
3. Let Your Child See You Wipe
Once your child has mastered using the potty by themselves, it’s time to move on to wiping. This is the most difficult physical aspect of toilet training for many children and it’s not uncommon for them to need a little bit of help.
One way to help set them up for success is to let them watch you and their older siblings use the bathroom. This will give them a clear picture of how to do it properly and helps them feel confident in their ability.
During this process, it’s also important to explain how much toilet paper is needed to wipe and encourage them to count how many squares they need on their own. This will prevent them from using too much which can clog the toilet and makes it harder for them to clean their behind thoroughly. The ideal amount is about 4 squares.
When kids are learning to wipe, it’s important to teach them that they must spread their legs apart to get a thorough clean. They’ll also need to fold the paper so that it lays flat against their bottom and doesn’t leave a mark. It’s also vital for both boys and girls to wipe from front to back to avoid introducing germs from their rectum into their bladder or vagina.
After a thorough wipe, it’s important to have them check themselves to make sure they got everything. This will ensure that they aren’t leaving any poop behind which could lead to uncomfortable genital bacterial infections and even serious health complications.
Once they’ve wiped, it’s helpful to teach them to wash their hands well. This will help them stay healthy and prevent infection, so they’ll be more likely to wash them after going to the potty as well.
Getting kids to remember all of these steps can be tricky, especially if they’re tired or grouchy. A good solution is to create a checklist they can use to remind themselves before taking them to the potty. There are free printable ones online that are easy to read and include both words and symbols for pre-readers, or you can have them draw their own. Posting it somewhere that’s visible in their room or bathroom is another great way to keep them on track.
4. Let Your Child See You Wash Your Hands
Your child is at the stage when they love to mimic their parents, so this is a great time to start teaching them about proper hand washing. They will want to follow you everywhere and into the bathroom, so let them sit beside you and watch how you wash your hands and why. After you’re done, praise them for their hand-washing skills and tell them how important it is to keep their hands clean so they won’t get sick.
Your child can now follow your lead with most of the potty training, but there may be times when they have an “oopsie.” Most experts agree that these are a normal part of the process and should not be treated as failures. Accidents can happen when kids are tired or sick or when they are preoccupied and don’t have a chance to go before the urge passes. Embarrassment can be a big issue for some children, so be sure to talk with your child about the potty journey and that having accidents is okay.
In the beginning, it is helpful to have a daily schedule for your child to encourage the use of the potty. Many families find that it helps to take them to the potty every 30 or 60 minutes, and this should include waking up, right after meals, after naps, and before bedtime. It is also a good idea to have them sit on the potty during nappy changes, so they will know that it is for pee and poo.
Once they have a firm grasp on sitting in the potty, you can begin to teach them to stand up to pee. Some children prefer to do this because they are more likely to be able to empty their bladder completely. Regardless of their gender, it’s best to have them sit down to poop, too.
Once they’ve learned to stand up to pee and poop, you can move them from the potty chair to the “big toilet.” This is a milestone for most toddlers, and they usually let you know when it’s time to make the switch.