We often take a lot of things in life for granted, and using the toilet as adults is one of them. It is incredible, isn’t it, to recall the fact that at one point of our lives, our parents or care-givers had to teach us how to use the potty! Well, if it happens to be your turn to teach your little one how to go potty, we hope you realise what a big milestone it is, for your child as well as for you!
When it comes to potty training, we can’t help but accept that accidents will happen. The following tips will be helpful, though, in simplifying this learning process and hopefully make it fun for your little one and you. Timing and patience are crucial, so if you think the time is now, let’s get to it. First and foremost, you can start by getting your child some underwear. Let them pick their own, for an added dose of encouragement.
Why is the timing key?
Although potty training isn’t exactly age-based, many toddlers start to show some interest in potty training by the age of two, while some are closer to 3 before they are ready for any kind of potty adventure! And then, there are also some who seem to want to ditch their diapers earlier than age two, while others reach age 4 and still show little interest in going potty on their own. Oftentimes, girls seem to be ready earlier than boys, some children train in a matter of days, while others take way longer, up to a few months!
Although it is associated with little ones, potty training is still a very individual matter. It should be up to the child, and not the adult. Hence, resist the urge to compare your child to another who might already be a ‘pro’ at using the potty. There is no need to rush, so don’t initiate only because you feel you “should”, or because your friend’s child is already using the potty. If you start at a time which is too early for your child, it may take longer than you expect because your child is simply not ready yet. Instead, watch out for the signs that your child is ready and act promptly.
Note: When not to initiate potty training
Have there been any major changes in your child’s life? Perhaps there was the arrival of a new sibling? Or, have you moved house recently? If there were any major incidents in your child’s life recently, it is probably best to wait a few months before starting to potty train.
Should you start potty training? Look out for these 5 signs:
Your child will have his own way of letting you know that he is ready to use the potty. If your child is displaying some or all of these tendencies, it’s probably time for him to start potty training:
- Staying dry for longer periods than usual – going 2 hours or more during the day without wetting his diapers
- Asking for his diaper to be changed as soon as it gets wet or soiled
- Showing great interest in the potty and/or asking if he can try using the toilet
- Your child is showing interest in wearing underwear
- He lets you know when he needs to relieve himself
Ready, get set, let’s go potty!
Before you even begin to potty train your child, be sure you have all you need so as to ensure it goes well. To succeed, being organised is crucial. You’ll also want to make sure that the individuals in your child’s life know and understand that you are potty training him, and that their cooperation will be needed. Purchasing a child potty and a potty-training seat (to use on an adult toilet) is the next step.
Begin by encouraging your child to sit on the potty, or training seat, with their diaper, or without it. It will be helpful if before this, you have been reading books on potty training to your child. If so, you can pull out the book for reinforcement. If not, it’s perfectly fine to start as he is sitting on the potty for the first time. Alternatively, if your child happens to have a favourite toy, let them play potty with their toy in advance of potty training.
From now on, as you proceed with potty training, it would be a good idea to switch to either pull-up diapers, or even straight to wearing underwear instead of diapers. Next, continue with the following 8 steps:
- Regularly prompt your little one to sit on the potty or toilet for a short time, every hour or so. If possible, get them to do this without their diaper or underwear, so that they will get used to it.
- Offer praises, just for using the potty, even if they did not ‘go’.
- Keep on talking to your child about using the potty, and resist walking off and leaving them there on their own. Instead, stay with them a while. Try reading a potty training book to them, or create a potty song to sing while he’s using the potty!
- Always be aware of when your child may need to go, but remember to not show any urgency – instead, try to get them to the potty quickly but calmly.
- No matter how you feel about it, avoid scolding them for any accidents when pottying
- Be always positive and encouraging about their potty training activities
- At this early stage, little boys might find it easier to ace their potty training by sitting on the potty/toilet rather than standing up.
- Offer to help your little one with their clothes and diaper or underwear during all stages of their potty training.
Why pull-up pants are actually potty-training pants
Pull-up diapers, both disposable and washable ones, are considered potty training pants as they do not hold as much fluid as normal diapers do. This way, your child will be more inclined to tell you that he or she is wet and needs to be changed.
Use incentives and reminders
Incentives can help make potty training a gratifying experience for your little one. Trips to the playground, his favourite snack, or any other form of reward works well. Also, use encouraging words and phrases every time they make it to the potty or toilet on time, and allow them to flush away the contents. To make things interesting, some parents find reward charts useful, where they can add a sticker for example, each time their little one successfully uses the potty.
Reminding your little one to use the potty is a good idea, but resist asking them if they need the toilet every few minutes, though. Also, you have to accept that accidents will happen, and the last thing they need is to see you disappointed in them. Eventually they will get to know when they need to go, and they will let you know. As time passes, you can start to sit them on the potty or toilet at certain points in the day, such as:
- when they wake up,
- after a meal or snack
- before nap times
- before bed times
- before going out.
Time to ditch the nappies!
After a few weeks of potty training, your child may be able to switch to either pull-ups, or even just underwear! Celebrate this occasion by taking them to buy their underwear, and let them pick out their own. Just ensure that their choices are easy to put on and take off without hampering their progress so far. Again, accept the fact that accidents may still happen – let it pass, and let them grow out of it.
Little tips for maximum results
Try getting your child to sit on the potty right after meals, even if it’s just for a pee. In many children, food digestion can lead to the urge to poop. A favourite toy or book at hand will help your little one stay put for longer. Keep in mind too that using the potty to pee each time will help to build the confidence for using it to poop.
