Tips On Potty Training

The most important thing to remember is that every child is different. What works on one child will not always work on another. You are the one who knows your child best, and you'll be the best judge of when to start potty training and how to do it.


Your toddler will give you signals that he or she is ready for potty training. When your son or daughter can stay dry for two hours or more, or expresses interest in using the potty, they may be ready for training. Usually, this occurs between a year and a half to three years of age, but these are merely rough guidelines. Some toddlers may completely potty trained earlier or later.

The good news is that there are lots of ways to potty train your child. When it's time, here are 10 tips that can help.

1. Explain to your toddler that going potty is a normal process of life and everyone does it, even animals.

2. Talk with them about the toilet, a special place where they can potty just like the big kids. When you're potty training a boy, he might appreciate knowing how the potty works.

3. Let your little one try flushing himself. Many little ones are frightened of the loud noise and will need to be reassured that they won't disappear with the water.

4. Talk about wearing underwear and not diapers. Encourage by calling them "big boy pants" and "big girl panties".

5. Find some educational and entertaining videos of their favorite characters learning to go potty. Whether you're potty training a girl or a boy, you'll be able to find books and other potty training resources that can help.

6. Make a special trip to the store and purchase new underwear with your toddler. Let them choose what to get, as much as possible. The underwear will have much more significance if your toddler helped you choose.

7. Decide in advance whether or not you're going to use pull-ups, training pants or regular underwear. Try to stick with this decision so your child has consistency and isn't confused.

8. Overalls, pants with lots of buttons, snaps or zips, tight or restrictive clothing and oversized shirts will all be an obstacle to your child during this process. Put these kinds of clothes away for the time being.

9. Think about whether or not you want to use rewards. Avoid using candy or other treats as reinforcement. Praising is much more effective. Clap, sing, dance - praise your child in every way you can for each successful trip to the potty.

10. Expect that accidents will happen, and be ready to comfort your little one when they have one. Let them know that it will take a while to get the hang of using the potty. Your calmness and patience will go a long way toward avoiding future accidents.

 

If your child is in child care, ask your provider for their advice and make sure there aren't any hard and fast rules the center or caregiver has in place that may be an issue. Let them know that you're going to start and enlist their help with the process.

With consistency, encouragement and praise, your little one soon be completely trained.

 

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