Potty Training Tips

Potty training is a monumental milestone for parents and toddlers alike. There are several key factors that are involved in successful potty training. First, you must decide when your baby is ready to potty train. Second, you have to decide what words you want to use in referring to these natural body functions. Third, you'll need to be consistent and patient, and, fourth, you should help your child be proud of her accomplishments.

Potty Training Tips: Is Your Baby Ready for Potty Training?

There are several signs that you should look for in determining how ready your child is to begin potty training. Most children can begin potty training somewhere between the ages of eighteen months and three years. The average age is approximately two and a half, and girls typically train quicker than boys. Keep in mind that if your child really isn't ready to use the potty, you are only going to drag out the whole potty training process if you begin training him too soon. You really can't force a child to become potty trained, so please don't begin the process until your child shows some of the following signs.

1. Your child is able to remain dry for several hours at a time, and she may even remain dry all night long.
2. Your child lets you know when she is wet or dirty.
3. Your child begins to talk about what she is doing using words that you may have already used with her, such as "pee pee" and "poo poo".
4. Your child is very curious about what you do when you go to the bathroom.
5. Your child doesn't like a wet or dirty diaper.

What Words Should You Use in Referring to Bodily Functions?

This is really up to you. You should be comfortable using whatever words you choose, however. You should also make sure that everyone else in the family uses those words to avoid confusing your toddler. Try to keep it simple, and don't make a big deal about these words. They should be used just like many of the other common words that you use daily.

Where Should the Potty Chair Be Placed?

Most people go ahead and begin training their child with the chair in the bathroom. Others start out with the child in the room that is used most often, such as a living room or den, and then move it to the bathroom. It is a good idea to let your child watch you go to the bathroom, so it will probably be simplest to move her chair in there, too. She may volunteer to sit on her potty while you are on yours!

Potty Training Tips: How Do I Successfully Train My Child?

To be successful at training your child in anything, you have to be patient and consistent. Don't punish your child for any accidents she may have. She'll learn from these accidents by understanding that wetting her diaper or pants means she needs to use the potty.

Be consistent in your daily training. Don't begin training your child if a major event is occurring in her life, such as a big move, a divorce, a death in the family, etc. Pick specific times every day to take your child to the potty, such as when she wakes up, after she eats, and every couple of hours throughout the day. Above all, be patient.

How Can I Use Positive Reinforcement?

You can reward your child in many ways for using the potty. Some parents use an instant reward system, which consists of small candies or other treats. Keep in mind, though, that if you choose this route, at some point you'll have to stop it.

Other parents like to give out stickers to their children. After so many stickers have been earned, the child can then get a treat, such as a small toy, ticket to a movie, extra day at the playground, etc.

Most children who are potty training love to pick out their own "big girl" or "big boy" underwear. Plan on taking your child on a special shopping trip to shop for these.

Finally, praising your child can be the most effective way to use positive reinforcement. While you shouldn't punish or scold your child for accidents, you should praise her each time she successfully uses the potty. In fact, when you first begin placing your child on the potty, simply praise her for sitting for short periods of time. Once she has successfully used the potty, you and she can look at her pee pee or poop and talk about what she has just accomplished. If she isn't afraid of a flushing toilet, you can dump the contents of the potty into the toilet while she watches, and let her flush it. If she is afraid, however, wait until she leaves the bathroom before flushing.

Potty training doesn't have to be difficult. Just be sure that your child is ready to begin the training process, be patient and consistent, and use lots of praise. Your toddler will be potty trained in no time!