How to Potty Train Your Child

Congratulations! If you have realized your child is big enough to be taught a new skill like potty training. Using the toilet from a young age is an essential skill that helps make the child more independent and boosts their confidence.

Are you confused about when to start potty training for your kid and how to teach potty training to your kid? Then don’t worry, you are not alone. We are here to help you with this. Keep on reading to know more about how to potty train your child?

How will I know My Kid is ready to be Potty Trained?

There are several signs which can indicate that your child is ready to learn a new skill. Each child is different, and their growth and learning capacity also differ. But once you observe potty-training readiness behaviors in your child, you will know that this is the perfect time to teach your kid about potty training.

Signs-

If your kid shows interest and desires to learn to use the potty.
He/she wants to despise dirty diapers as soon as possible.
Your kid is showing interest in doing their work independently
Dry diapers for an extended period.
If he/she can pull down and pull up his/her pants
Able to understand and communicate properly about when they want to pee or potty
Hiding when they want to pee or potty

If your child shows at least 2 to 3 signs of these above-given signs, it implies that they are ready to be potty trained.

Are you Ready?

When your child starts to show the signs that he/she is ready to be potty trained, the next question that pops up in your mind is, are you ready to provide potty training to your child? Potty training is a process where you and your child need to work together, so before beginning the training process, you need to make sure that, along with your child, you are also ready. Start by buying small potty, training pants, underpants, and children’s toilet books.

When to start potty training your toddler?

There is no particular age or time to start potty training for your toddler; you can start it from an early age. Kids usually begin potty training between 18 and 30 months; however, a study has shown that parents who have started providing potty training to their kids before 18 months aren’t thoroughly trained. Instead, they are fully trained only until after the age of four. Whereas kids who don’t start training until around two years are more likely to be fully potty trained before they turn three years old. However, according to studies, girls tend to be ready to potty train a little earlier than boys, but the readiness signs for both boys and girls are the same.

How to prepare your child for Potty training?

Before beginning the training process, you must prepare your child for potty training. Here are a few ideas:

Introduce your child to the phrases like ‘pee,’ ‘poop,’ or ‘I need to go.’ But introduce it to your child in a very casual and playful manner, not something she/he should feel anxious or worried about.
Let your child sit on the potty.
Discuss how to pee and poop with your toddler
Buy underwear for your kid.
Use pants that have a nice elastic waistband.
Change diapers in the bathroom and empty a poopy diaper into the toilet.
Teach your child that it’s good to keep diapers dry and clean
Most importantly, ensure that your child eats plenty of fiber and drinks enough water so that he/she doesn’t feel constipated.

How to potty train your toddler?

After your child is ready to be potty trained, you can start the process. There are a few tips on how to potty train your child-

Prepare the equipment– you can start by buying a potty or a special toilet seat attachment for your kid. Place the potty chair in the bathroom or where your child loves to spend most of his/her time.
Establish a routine– you can begin with making your child sit on the potty after waking up or after some time of drinking water. Never let your child sit on the potty for more than 10 to 15 mins; instead, let them sit on the potty for a few minutes a couple of times a day.
Make sure all follow the same routine- After establishing a routine, make sure that all like babysitters, grandparents, and childcare workers follow the same pattern.
Encourage your child- When they show signs, including wriggling around, passing wind, going quiet or moving away from you, encourage them to go to the toilet.
Never force your kid- Never force your kid to sit for a longer period on the potty if he/she is unwilling to do so. This will feel like punishment.
Explain to your child about hygiene- Let your child know some basic rules of hygiene and make sure your child washes his or her hands afterward.
Get there fast- If you witness any signs such as squirming, squatting, or holding the genital area, then respond quickly and make your child familiar with these signs, let them know that whenever they feel like this, they should stop what they are doing and head straight to the toilet.
Praise your kid- Don’t forget to praise your kid for all his/her achievements, and offer your child small rewards.

Common toilet training problems

If your child resists going to the potty, make them comfortable by reading story books or talking while pooping.
If your child has accidents, then do not scold or punish them. Instead, treat this situation very carefully and let them understand that it’s okay and they should start again.
If your child doesn’t recognize the need to urinate or urinate at night, then make sure they pee before going to bed or after drinking plenty of water.
If your kid fears falling, show them how the toilet works; they will be fine after a few uses.
Playing with poop is another problem that you may face during potty training. Kids are more curious, so they tend to indulge in playing with poop. Do not scold them for this behavior; a firm no will do your work.
Provide late potty training to your kid. This is another common mistake parents make; this will result in your kids having a lack of bowel control and a weak bladder for many years. And the embracement of wetting his/her pants can affect his/her self-esteem and mental health. Hence you should start proving potty training between 18 to 30 months.

After trying multiple times in different ways, if your child still has problems using the potty, you can ask for help. You can contact a pediatrician; they will give you simple tips on potty training your child. If your child has a developmental problem, then you can consult a therapist or a child psychologist; they can provide you with advice that will be helpful.

Bottom Line

Potty training your toddler might seem daunting, but your child will get the hang of how to use the potty and outgrow diapers sooner or later. You just need to teach him/her patiently. Good Luck.

FAQs

How to encourage your child?

The best way to encourage your child to use a pot for poop and pee is by praising and rewarding him. You can gradually reduce the praise as your child masters each part of the process. Don’t scold or punish your kid for his mistake.

How to dress your kid?

Always dress your kid in nicely stretched elastic pants and use training pants underpants. Avoid clothing that is hard to take off, such as an overall dress. And use nappy only during the time of night and afternoon sleep.

How to keep your child clean & hygienic?

Teach your kids basic hygiene rules and wash their hands after using the toilet. Do not forget to wipe from the front to the back. Always wipe your child’s bottom until your child learns how to do it by himself.

How long does toilet training take?

Generally, it takes 3 to 6 months to toilet train your child. However, it can take more or less time for some children.