Quick Facts about Toddler Potty Training

What does every parent of a baby look forward to? The day that they no longer need to change another diaper! Parents are usually very enthusiastic to start potty training as soon as their parenting book may tell them to start, but they often become disheartened when the potty training doesn’t go as smoothly as expected.

Potty training doesn’t need to be a struggle. It can be a natural and smooth transition for both you and your child. Here are some tips that will help you and your child to have an easy time potty with training:

Start when both you and your child are ready

All because a parent book may tell you to start potty training at 18 months doesn’t mean that your son or daughter is ready for it! If your child has started telling you when they are about to, or are already peeing or pooping in their diaper, or if they have expressed interest in using the toilet like a “big kid”, you can start slowly introducing potty training. Until then, it may be a good idea to keep the diaper on.

Start pre-training your child

You can start potty training your baby as early as 10 months! Though, at this age, they are not physiologically or mentally ready to begin potty training, you can introduce them to the toilet by saying, “This is where mommy and daddy go to the washroom. We don’t wear diapers.” Try talking about their bodily functions as you change their diaper. Show them the pee or the poop in their diaper if you feel comfortable – there’s no need to be embarrassed!

The only right way to potty train is what works for you and your child

I’ve read in many books to bribe a child, not to bribe a child, to encourage a child to pee where ever they wish or to discourage accidents. It may take a while for you and your child to come up with a method that works for you, but that’s the most important thing – that it WORKS. The key is to be positive, pleasant, and always patient.

Do not expect over night success – especially over night!

Daytime dryness is surely to come before any nighttime dryness. Do not become upset with your child if they wet their bed. They are not physiologically advanced enough to wake up when they need to pee or to hold it in, so there is no use in being angry with them over something they cannot control. By 5 years of age, the great majority of children are no longer wetting their beds at night.

Expect setbacks

Your child may have a fantastic couple of days, followed by a few days of wet pants and dirty laundry. Be patient yet persistent, and always be encouraging. You know they want to do the best that they can, so there is no sense in punishing them for an accident.

I hope these tips help both you and your toddler enjoy your potty training experience. Just be sure to tuck away any funny stories that arise from the situation so you can tell them to your child when they are older!

photo by Ehsan Namavar