Potty training is one of the biggest worries among new parents. So many questions arise about when to start and how to do it. Well-meaning grandparents, neighbors, and childcare workers all want to offer advice, but the fact is – you are the parent and only you will know when you and your child are ready.
When to Begin Potty Training
There is no magic age when potty training should begin, but most children begin to show interest at around two years old. Forcing the child to learn before they are ready will just lead to frustration for you and them.
Is My Child Ready?
A considerable portion of successful potty training depends on the child understanding the process and following instructions.
- Begin using words such as potty or toilet, pee, poo or BM.
- Your child should be able to walk to the potty by himself for a few minutes.
- The child should be able to pull down a training pant or diaper,
- The child should be able to use words to voice their toilet needs
- The child follows simple commands (i.e. pick up the blocks and put them in the box)
If your child isn’t ready, don’t stress. Children mature at different rates. Just because the neighbor’s two-year-old is using the toilet and your 28-month-old is not, that does not reflect your success as a parent. Also, don’t let well-meaning grandparents or childcare workers push you into starting before your child is ready. You know your child best.
Signs to Look For
Every child is different and accomplishes tasks at different stages, but there are certain signs that your child may be ready for toilet training.
- Pulling off a wet or dirty diaper
- Staying dry for 2 hours or more
- Hiding in a corner to pee or poop
- Following others into the bathroom
- Flushing the toilet
- Waking up dry from a nap
- Telling you after they went pee or poo in their diaper
- Specific body movements or facial expressions (i.e. the pee-pee dance)
Not all children display all these signs, but you should begin talking to your child about the potty if you notice any of these behaviours.
How to begin
Let your child go into the restroom with you and talk to them about what is going on. (ie. I am going potty because I felt like I needed to pee.) Explain the need to flush and wash hands.
- Let the child flush the toilet. Have them stand on a stool and wash their hands while you wash yours.
- Take the child shopping for training diapers and a potty chair. Let them help pick it out. Make a big deal about it.
- Visit the library or bookstore for books about potty training. Many children’s authors have written about popular characters going through toilet training.
- Purchase or make a potty training chart and choose stickers in the shape of favorite cartoon characters.
- Encourage the child to use his potty words when you are changing his diaper.
- Let the child sit on the potty with their diaper on while you read a story, or they play with a favorite toy. This eliminates the scary newness before toilet training begins.
Once your child has become comfortable with the potty, begin by having them sit on it immediately after waking up in the morning or before nap time. If your child uses the potty, offer praise and add a sticker to the chart. If not, simply reassure them that you’ll try again in a few minutes.
Remind your child about the potty every thirty minutes or so. Make sure he sits on the potty at least once every hour.
Always use verbal praise, even if they only sits there for a minute and does not go. Silly songs, hugs, high fives, and crazy laughs are all types of praise children respond to.
Helpful Tips
If you are training a boy, start out with him sitting down to use the potty. He will be ready to stand and urinate after he has control of when he needs to go.
Some children get off to a great start, then suddenly decide they don’t want to use the potty anymore. That’s a regular occurrence. Try new reward system or purchase some big boy underwear. Remember that it should be fun for the child.
Be patient!! Accidents will happen. Children will mess on the floor. Clothing will be soiled.
Try potty training when it is warm in the house so your child can run around in just a shirt and a training diaper.
Make sure clothing is a little loose and easy to remove. Now is not the time for those cute overalls or a fancy party dress.
Always have the child try to go when you are near a restroom. Always!
After two weeks of consistent potty use with no accidents, go shopping for big kid underwear. Make a big deal out of selecting the ones the child wants.
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