Potty Training Tips
Potty Training, an unavoidable but very necessary part of caregiving.
We don’t have the automatic keys to success and we can’t promise it will go perfectly but, we wanted to share ten tips that will make potty training a little easier on you and your child!
Knowing When to Start
There is no "right" time to begin potty training your child, just like with any other developmental milestone. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that potty training should start between the ages of two and three years in the United States, but some parents choose to start their children earlier if they show indications of being ready.
If you aren’t sure whether your child is ready, here are a few good questions to consider:
Can your child pull down his or her pants and pull them up again? Can your child stay dry for up to two hours? Can your child understand and follow basic directions? Can your child communicate when he or she needs to go?
If most and/or all of the answers are a “yes” then it is a great time to start potty training!
Don’t forget that you need to be ready as well. You need to make sure that you have enough time, energy, and patience(!) to be able to consistently train your child.
Prepare
Potty training doesn’t just start when your little one sits on the toilet for the first time. Even before you begin, prepare your little one by teaching them about the process. Use words to express the act of using the toilet and ask them to let you know when their diaper is wet/soiled. Help them identify when they are going in their diaper so that they can learn to recognize the urge to use the bathroom and if possible take them to the bathroom with you so that they can see the behavior modeled! Make sure to pick the right training potty, or if you are using the adult toilet make sure to have a stool for your child to be able to climb up and rest their feet on.
Pick the Right Clothes
Potty training isn’t just all about diapers and pull ups. Remember to dress your child in clothes that are easy for them to pull up and down. Steer clear of items that are difficult to remove, like shirts with snaps in the crotch and overalls. Children who are learning to use the potty must be able to undress themselves. Choose comfortable pants with elastic waists that pull up and down without the need of buttons, buckles, zippers, or ties and let the girls wear dresses or skirts as often as they like.
Sticking to a Routine
Consistency is key in potty training. This is why it is so important for you as a parent/caregiver to have time to dedicate to the process. Establish a routine for taking potty breaks, starting with taking them when they wake up and before they go to bed. Try to have them sit on the potty regularly whether it be 45 min - 1 hour after drinking or just a few minutes every couple of hours.
Make sure they don’t feel forced or stuck sitting there; as much as you can create a positive environment where it is fun and doesn’t feel like a punishment!
And remember, consistency doesn’t just start with you. If you have a nanny, caregiver, or grandparent with them during the day make sure everyone is on the same page and consistent with the potty training routine.
Rewards
When it comes to rewards with toilet training, there are various schools of thought. If you decide to take the reward route, here are some tips to help you succeed.
A common idea is a potty training sticker chart to track and reward progress. You can hang this chart in the bathroom and have them put a sticker on the chart every time they go (or try) depending on what stage of training they are in. Other ideas for rewards are candy, small toys, or even play dates and screen time. Whatever you decide is best for your child, keep it consistent and measured to help them stay motivated and succeed!
Positive Reinforcement
Whether you use tangible rewards or not it is so important to utilize positive reinforcement and give your child praise when they use the potty.. Give praise for any attempt that they have to go on the potty, even if nothing happens. Remember that accidents will happen, and it's critical that we as caregivers/parents don't express disappointment or punish them. Make them feel SO proud and give them your undivided attention. And try not to call the contents of your child's diaper "smelly" or "gross." If they view using the restroom as a natural process rather than something "yucky," they will be far more at ease with it!
Going Out
Ideally you want to start potty training by staying home for a few days but, eventually you’ll need to leave the house again. Start with small short trips and work up to longer stretches. Have your child use the toilet before leaving home and wherever you go it’s a good idea to know where the nearest toilet is. When you go out, always have several changes of clothes and underwear with you; we hope accidents don’t happen but it is better to be prepared!
Naked Time
This is one potty training strategy that some parents swear by. Essentially, the idea is that when your child is unclothed at home, they are more likely to use the potty because they don't have a diaper to use. Encourage your child to scamper around (in a private yard or a room with a washable floor) with their lower half uncovered to help them become more aware of their body's signals. Without a diaper to contain the pee, it is more difficult to ignore the fact that they need to go. To help your child respond quickly when nature calls, keep the potty close by and remember this method might not work for every child.
What to Do on the potty
Whether you make up your own song or find one on Youtube, a song is a great way to keep your child on the toilet and excited to try using the potty! If you are struggling to keep him/her focused and staying on the potty you can also try reading to them or letting them have a book to flip through to pass the time.
Caregiver Tips
Don’t forget to laugh! Potty training can be stressful but also slightly humorous (especially after the fact) so don’t take things too seriously. Your child will learn!
Is it possible in just 3 days to make significant progress and start potty training off right? Of course! In 3 days, will your child be completely potty trained? Most likely not... Every child is unique, and potty training takes time. Be patient and give you and your child grace in this process.
Do you have any other tried and true tips for Potty Training? Dm us on Instagram, we’d love to hear about them!
As always, thanks for reading! Stay tuned for more blog posts and don’t forget to subscribe to our monthly family newsletter here, follow us on Instagram, or like us on Facebook for more content!