Toilet Training or Potty Training
This information is about toilet training. It covers what to do, when to do it, and how to make it easier. Bowel training will be discussed first; then bladder training.
How do you know your child is ready for toilet training? Here are some clues. If your toddler shows three or more of these signs; he or she is probably ready to start.
- Your child can stay dry for two hours at a time during the day or after a nap.
- Your child's bowel movements are regular and predictable.
- Your child dislikes wearing a soiled diapers.
- Your child can pull their pants up and down.
- Your child asks to use the toilet or potty-chair.
To make it easier, obtain a potty-chair that sits on the floor, or a toilet seat attachment. If you decide to use an attachment for the toilet seat, provide a stool or other support for the child's feet. Pushing with the feet makes a bowel movement easier for the child. Also, allow your child to become familiar with the potty chair or seat attachment before beginning training.
Pick a 3-4 week period that looks relatively pretty routine. Don't start right before a holiday or during another major change like a new baby in the family or moving to a new home.
When you are both ready, explain simply and briefly what you expect your child to do. Every day, have the child sit on the potty-chair at the time your child often moves his bowels. Usually, this happens shortly after eating a meal. Remind the child that it is time to go potty. Also, talk to your child in a simple way. Use phrases and words you are comfortable with like "tinkle" . Praise successful efforts, but don't over-praise; just smile and say "good job." If nothing happens after five or ten minutes, have the child up and try again another day. If the child protests strongly and wants to get off at once, consider postponing training until the child is more ready for it. Never make a big issue of training.
In fact, the key to successful training is a relaxed attitude. Expect accidents and react casually. For example, the child may have a bowel movement as soon as he or she is removed from the seat attachment or chair. When this happens, clean the child up without making a fuss. Don't scold or shame the child. And don't allow yourself to become frustrated. If you and the child are becoming tense and upset, postpone training for a few days. Be sure to tell the child so there won't be any confusion.
Your child may resist bowel training because hard or dry stools make the process uncomfortable. In this case, give your child extra water, fruit, vegetables, whole grain foods such as bran and whole grain breads and cereals. This should soften the stool. If this doesn't work, contact the child's pediatrician for advice.
Once bowel training has been mastered, your child may show readiness for bladder training. Signs of readiness are staying dry for at least two hours, expressing a need for the toilet after an accident has happened, and showing a willingness to be trained.
When your child stays dry for at least two hours, switch from diapers to training pants. (disposable of cloth). Suggest going to the bathroom at least once every two hours. But don't make a fuss if the child is not interested. Change wet pants without scolding or embarrassing the child.
Your child will learn to stay dry during the day before managing to do so at night. Expect to have some bedwetting until the child is four or five. In some families, children may continue bedwetting after age five. If this happens, reassure the child that this is all right.
Above all, remember that successful toilet training depends on a relaxed attitude, patient repetition, and realistic goals. It will not work until the child is physically and emotionally ready; often around two years. The longer you wait to start, the easier it will be. And if toilet training turns into a battle between parent and child, BOTH will lose.
Remember these key points:
- Children are usually ready for bowel training between the ages of two and three, when they show awareness of their bowels.
- Put the child on the potty when a bowel movement is likely.
- For bladder training, begin when the child is aware of and can communicate the need.
- The keys to successful toilet training are a calm, non-critical attitude, patience, and the child's own readiness.
We recommend this book: Caring For Your Newborn.
If you don't find the knowledge you are looking for right away, search until you do. Remember—Knowledge is Powerful Medicine!
Thousands of these booklets are used each year in prenatal classes and given to new moms by hospitals and pediatricians all across the U.S. It is also available in Espanol.
