Hi fellow parents,
I have a 2-year-old toddler who is showing some signs of being ready to start toilet training. However, I'm not quite sure if I'm interpreting these signs correctly or if they are strong enough indicators to begin the process. She seems to be a bit more interested in the bathroom and stops her play to observe what we do when we use it. I've noticed that she also tells me when she has pooped in her diaper and seems uncomfortable if she has a dirty diaper. These behaviors have been consistent for a few weeks now and I'm wondering if they are signs that she is ready for toilet training. What do you think? Are there any other signs that I should be looking out for before I start the process? Any tips or advice on how to go about it? Thanks in advance.
Hello there,
From my experience as a parent and a pediatrician, toddlers may show readiness signs for weeks, but it's always better to wait until they have enough physical control over their bladder and bowel movements. My son started showing interest in the bathroom and telling us when he pooped when he was about 2 years old too, but we waited until he turned 2.5 years to start training because we wanted to ensure he was physically ready.
Another sign that a toddler is physically ready is if they have predictable bowel movements. When my son started having a predictable schedule, we knew it was the right time.
When you start potty training, it's important to take it slow and make sure your toddler is comfortable. We started with a potty chair in the living room, and then gradually moved it to the bathroom so that our son could get used to the new location.
Encouragement and positive reinforcement are essential. We celebrated every time our son used the potty, and after a while, he stopped having accidents and was fully trained.
In summary, while readiness signs are crucial, it's important to wait until your child has enough physical control to avoid unnecessary frustration on both sides.