Potty Training Advice

Signs of Readiness

You cannot force your child to potty train before he is ready. Instead, you will only frustrate him as well as yourself. Be sure you look for signs of readiness before you begin the process. Once your child shows one or more of these signs, he may be ready to begin potty training.

1. He is curious about his body.
2. He asks questions when you go to the bathroom.
3. He doesn't like having a soiled diaper.
4. He can stay dry for several hours.
5. He lets you know when he is messing or wetting his diaper.
6. He is fascinated with wearing real underwear.

Gradual Introduction

Sometimes it is easier to gradually introduce your child to the potty. You might find success is easier if you follow these suggestions.

1. Let her go with you to buy a potty chair.
2. Place the potty chair in a living area if she seems concerned about using it next to the commode.
3. Encourage her to just sit on the chair when you go into the bathroom.
4. Keep some of her favorite books beside the chair.
5. Start out slowly, only taking her to the chair a couple of times a day.

Positive Attitude

Your attitude will go a long way towards helping your child find success. You don't want potty training to become a power struggle. Instead, look for potty training advice to make this experience more pleasant for you and your baby.

1. Come up with a simple reward system, such as using stickers which he can accumulate to trade for a small toy or activity.
2. Sing songs while he sits on the potty.
3. Read some of his favorite books, and add a few that show children using the potty.
4. Praise your child whenever possible. Even if he isn't able to actually use the potty at first, be sure you praise him for sitting on it for a while.
5. Don't scold him when he has an accident. Instead, tell him you know he is trying really hard, and he'll do better next time.

Be Consistent

Once you really get into potty training more extensively you have to be consistent with your child.

1. Don't begin potty training during a major upheaval or change in your toddler's life.
2. Be sure you take the time to take your toddler to the bathroom, even if that means stopping whatever it is that you are doing.
3. Try to begin taking him at regular periods during the day, such as after lunch and before naps and bedtime.

Potty Training Advice

Sometimes girls are easier to train than boys, but both genders can find success.

1. Let girls wear dresses for easy access to the potty whenever possible.
2. Give boys something to aim at in the potty, such as a dissolvable animal target or a picture drawn on a piece of toilet paper.
3. For either boys or girls, add food coloring to the toilet water. Your child will enjoy seeing the color of the water change when urine hits it.
4. If your child appears afraid of the toilet, don't flush it until she leaves the bathroom.