Potty training is a big deal for a child. It marks the transition from diapers to underwear and is a sign of increasing independence, self-awareness and confidence. However, teaching a child to potty train can also be a challenging and frustrating time for both the child and parents.
To have success with potty training, you are going to need patience, cooperation, and positive reinforcement.
Potty Seat or Chair Tips
The first step in potty and toilet training is to introduce the child to the potty chair. This can be done by placing the potty seat in a visible and accessible location. The child can sit on the chair while fully clothed to get used to the new habit.
Next you need to show your child the intended purpose of the potty chair. Every time he or she has a bowel movement, dump the contents into the potty chair. Show them the contents and say “this is where potty goes.” After a few times your child will begin to understand that it is ok for the potty there.
Be patient during this time as you want it to be a happy moment instead of one filled with tension.
After the bowel movement encourage your child to sit on the potty seat and reward success with a hug, kiss or a treat. Once success happens with your child in his/her chair, you should begin to plan trips to the potty.
Take your child and place him on the potty once every hour. As he begins to understand the process and reasons why he/she is sitting on the potty, he will begin to be able to have more bladder control. He will have fewer accidents and be able to hold the urine in his bladder for longer periods of time. Eventually your child will understand what you expect.
Tips for achieving night bladder control include limiting fluids before bedtime, offering a nighttime potty break, and using a bedwetting alarm.
Dealing with Potty Accidents
Accidents are a normal part of potty training and should be expected. It is important to avoid criticism and punishment when accidents occur. Instead, parents and caregivers should respect the child’s signals and avoid comparing their progress with others when being potty trained.
Understanding that accidents are a normal part of the process and can help to reduce stress and anxiety for both the child and the parent.
Potty Training Plan and Scheduling Trips to the Potty
Scheduling trips to the potty can help to establish a routine and increase bladder control. Taking the child to the potty once every hour can help to reinforce the habit and make it a natural part of their routine.
Parents and caregivers should help the child understand the process and encourage them to communicate their needs. Having better bladder control can help minimize accidents and build confidence.
Good Habits
Developing good habits is an important part of being potty trained. Making it a fun and exciting part of potty training can help to keep the child engaged and motivated. Good habits start early. Show the child how to wipe from front to back to avoid bacteria in the genital area. Tell them to wash their hands with soap and have them dry their hands completely. Children love to play with water so this should be a fun part of potty training.
Nighttime Potty Training
Nighttime potty training can be a challenging aspect of potty training as opposed to daytime potty training. It is important to establish a routine and offer encouragement and support. Tips for achieving night bladder control include limiting fluids before bedtime, offering a nighttime potty break, and using a bedwetting alarm. Parents should seek out help frm their physician if their child is experiencing persistent bedwetting or other symptoms.
Potty Training Tips for Children with Special Needs
Potty training can be especially challenging for children with special needs. It is important to understand the unique challenges faced by these children and adapt potty training techniques to suit their needs. Seeking support and advice from medical professionals, therapists, and support groups can also be beneficial. Celebrating every small success in the potty training process can help to build confidence and motivation.
Common Myths and Misconceptions About Potty Training
There are many myths and misconceptions about potty training that can be confusing and misleading.
One common myth is that children should start potty training by a certain age. However, every child is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to potty training.
Another myth is that it is harder to potty training boys. Again, every child is unique, and gender does not necessarily determine the ease of potty training.
Punishment is another myth that can be harmful and counterproductive. Positive reinforcement, praise and encouragement are much better than punishment for getting results. Finally, parents should not wait for the child to initiate potty training. Instead, parents should be proactive and introduce the child to the potty at an appropriate time.
Tips for Overcoming Potty Training Myths and Misconceptions
Overcoming potty training myths and misconceptions requires patience, understanding, and flexibility. Parents should focus on positive reinforcement and praise, avoiding punishment and negative language. Being patient and consistent in the potty training process can also help to reduce stress and anxiety. Seeking advice from medical professionals and experienced parents can also be beneficial.
Potty Training for Multiple Children
Creating a routine that involves all children can help to establish a sense of normalcy and reduce stress. Encouraging siblings to support each other and providing individual attention and incentives for each child can also be beneficial. Being patient and flexible is necessary when toilet training multiple children.
Potty Training While Traveling
Potty training while traveling can be challenging but is possible with some preparation and patience. Bringing a portable potty or seat adapter can help to make the process easier.
Planning frequent potty breaks and bringing extra clothes, like disposable training pants and big kid underwear can also be helpful. Using positive reinforcement and praise can help to keep the child motivated, and being patient and flexible is essential. Having disposable training pants and big kid underwear can bel helpful.
Potty Training Resources
There are many resources available for parents and caregivers who are wish to start potty training their children. Books, websites, and apps can provide helpful tips and advice.
Support groups and forums can also be beneficial for parents who are looking for advice and support from other parents and caregivers. Seeking professional support and advice from medical professionals, therapists, and educators can also be helpful.
Other Things to Consider
Potty training requires cooperation between you, your child and your daycare provider. A deal of patience is needed from everyone involved. The process can be difficult if you expect too much, too soon. A child needs to be physically, mentally, and emotionally ready to begin. Some instances where potty training should be postponed are:
- If the family is moving
- A new baby is due
- Another family member having an unexpected illness
- When there is a lot of tension in the home (such as a loss, grief, job, etc.)
Never criticize a child when there isn’t success and don’t want to expect too much. This is a learning process for and potty training takes time, just like walking and crawling. A child must feel comfortable and that will lead to the next step of development.
You shouldn’t compare him/her to other children that might have had success faster. Each child is different and they will send you signals letting you know they are ready for the next step. A punishment should never follow an unsuccessful attempt. This only makes the child want to give up and go back to babyhood and makes the Big Boy or Big Girl stage too hard. Accidents will happen as it is a part of potty training. If your child protests you might want to try another day. It might be too soon.
As your child gets older he/ she will begin to go to the bathroom on his own. Night bladder control should be accomplished by the age of five. If you are still having the child wet at night at that age you should discuss it with your doctor.
22 Comments
These are great tips. My kids were stubborn and took a bit to potty train. When I backed off they finally decided to use the potty.
I am about to start working with my youngest on potty training so this is great! My oldest was SO easy, I barely had to do anything.. So I am sure this boy will be my pain
Potty training is really hard. I had one child who I tried everything to get him to go potty. He was 3 when it finally happened. Then my daughter, who was barely 2, decided to use the potty and never turned back. it took 3 days. Go figure.
Nevertheless, these are certainly good tips to get your child potty trained. It works if your child wants to do it.
Nice post. Going through this now.
These are great tips, my friend has a child at this age I will deffo be sharing with them 🙂
My kids night time trained before day time. The boys had a hard time with potty training and needed more time than my daughter.
My sister is currently having issues training her youngest boy. This is great info for her 🙂
my mom says that she was able to negotiate me when I was about to turn two about not using diapers anymore. she said that if I wanted to have a birthday party like a big girl I needed to. it worked out perfectly because i was able to stop using diapers.
It was actually my son?s daycare provider who told me he was ready-seems they firnhim in with their potty trainers early and began working with him and once they realized he was catching on, told me tips and he was trained nice and early. I lucked out
Awesome guide for parents who are potty training their child or those who are about to potty train especially for the first time. It also helps to assess whether your child is ready to be potty trained or not.
This are amazing tips! I have a few friends who are potty training so I will definitely be sharing this with them! I’m sure they will appreciate it.
We had one of this for both of my kids and it was an important step of their training. Thank god we had this. Would recommend to anyone.
I don?t have kids yet but I will definitely be referring back to this! I remember from my younger sisters that potting training can be difficult but these tips look very helpful!
These are some great tips. This is exactly where we are in parenthood. Potty training time!! Luckily our preschool helps us out…but at home our daughter doesn’t even care to use the potty….
These are awesome tips! My bestfriend have her baby who is under potty training, your post will be more helpful to her. I will share this to her 😀
These are some great tips! I’m glad my potty training days are behind me x
I don’t have children so I don’t know about the struggles a new mom has with potty training. However, I do have a friend with a 6 months old baby and I will share this post with her. I am sure she will find it so helpful.
Potty training can be so hard on some families. We struggled with #3 to potty train. These are all great tips to help families through potty training.
potty training is a consistent thing. I think some parents have such a hard time because they just give up and rather do a diaper change is all about persistence.
These are good tips. They would definitely help all the new moms out there! 🙂
These are great tips! I’m definitely going to have to share these with my sister! Thank you!
Really great suggestions for potty training. It’s really not an easy task. I don’t even remember how I got through it with my two kids. Maybe it’s a blur for a reason…i probably blocked out the trauma….lol.