Potty Train Your Toddler

When will Be My Child Be Out of Diapers?

        Just as children walk at different ages, they also develop the skills for using the toilet at different ages. Many parents become anxious when they see their child’s playmates are out of diapers. Don’t let this worry you!

      No matter when you introduce toilet learning, your child will learn it at his own speed. For most children, readiness starts at age between two and half and three-year-old. This is a big step in your child’s development. It takes practice and time – and there will be mistakes! You can help your toddlers prepare, but remember that she will develop this skill at her own rate.

       

                      

    

No More Diapers     

      
      Each child is different when it comes to controlling his bladder and bowler. Your child may be able to feel when he needs to go, but that does not mean he has the control he needs to give up diapers.

 Reasons to patient

  ·       Yours child feelings of self -worth may be damaged if he thinks you will be mad at him for something he can’t control (like accidents in his underwear). He may start to feel like he is unable to learn. He may be discouraged from making independent choices.

   ·        If you constantly remind your child to use the toilet, he may feel the only way to show his independence is to refuse. This leads to a power struggle. A strongly independent child may resist to the point of constipation.

  ·        Anger about toilet learning is a cause of child abuse. Pressure for a child  toilet to complete toilet learning before a  new baby arrives may add to his resentment of the new baby.


    Learning to use toilet

     Learning to use the toilet is a three-step process. First, you recognize your child’s signs of readiness. Second, you prepare your child for the transition to the toilet. Third, your child makes the change from diapers t0 underwear.

     Recognizing the sign of readiness 

      Your toddler may show some of the following cues:

       ·        Staying draw for hour at a time.

       ·        Waking up dry from a nap.

       ·        Having regular bowel movements.

       ·        Making sound and grimaces when having a bowel movement.

       ·        Telling you when she is wet or dirty.

       ·        Caring about having a clean diaper.

       ·        Showing an interest in wanting to imitate adults and “be  like  a    grownup”

       Preparing your toddler for using the toilet

       ·        Teach your child the words you want her to use for the toilet and bathroom functions.

       ·        Let her see you other family members use the toilet. Explain what you are doing, using the                 words you want her to learn.

       ·        Read books about toilet learning.

       ·        Get a potty chair so that she has her own place to sit while she is learning the routine.

       ·        Have her just sit on the chair or the toilet seat with her clothes on. Then have her try them               without wearing a diaper. ( If your toddler is a boy , it may be less confusing , at this stage,               to have him sit for both urinating and bowel movements.)

       ·        Talk with your child about how she will soon use the toilet all the time. For now, she can                    wear diapers until she feels ready for underwear.

       ·        Help her learn how to undress for using the toilet and put her clothes back on afterward.

       ·        Teacher her how to wash her hands after using the toilet.

       Making a successful change 

     

       ·        Wait until your toddler tells you that she is ready to make the change over from diapers to                 underpants. Be patient and prepare to invest extra time in this new skill.

       ·        Plan for this change when your family life is clam – no out-of-town visitors, no new baby                   in  the house, no vacations.

       ·        Never shame or punish your child for having accidents. It is normal for children to revert                   to  wetting their pants even after they stayed dry for many days.

           

Toilet Train Your Child

     Tips for Learning to Use Toilet

    ·       Set up routine time for your toddler to visit potty chair or toilet – for example,                following each meal, once in between meals, and at bedtime.

      ·       Check in with your child once every two hours to ask if she is dry. If she says                    yes, suggest she sit on toilet. If not, wait another two hours before asking                        again. If you pressure her, toilet learning could become a power struggle.

      ·       If your toddler asks to sit on the toilet without needing to go, let her. she will                   enjoy trying it out!

      ·       When she has accident, calmly help her clean up and change clothes. Let her                  know that you understand that mistakes can happen.

     ·       Expect her to want to go to the bathroom. If you are at a store, a restaurant or a             friend’s home. She is curious about toilets everywhere.

      ·       Make sure she has easy-to-remove clothing while she is learning the process.

      ·       Know that daytime control happens much faster than night time control. Be                    prepare for diapers at night, at least for a while.

      ·       Listen for your toddler to tell you when she is ready to wear underpants to bed                at night.

      ·       Let your toddler know that you are proud of how she is learning this new skill.