Potty train your toddler.

2007-06-09T03:49:00.000-07:00

First of all, is this the question that many parents usually ask?
At what age can I start potty train my child?

Majority, toddler are ready to be trained somewhere between the ages of 18 and 24 months. Before 18 months, very few children's muscles are developed enough for the bladder control necessary for potty taining.

While we have all heard the stories from our mothers, aunties and grandmas, how in their day the baby was potty trained at very early age. Reality was the mother was trained but not the baby.

There are signs to watch for that they are ready to be potty train. They are ;

*Hs is over 18 months of age.

* His nappy is frequently dry when you get him up from his lunchtime nap. A dry nappy a couple of hours since his last nappy change would also be an indication that he is getting some bladder control.

* He is aware whether he is doing a poo or pee.

* Showing signs of quiet with concentration while doing it.

* Can understand and follow simple instructions.

* The child is eager to co-operate in taking off clothes.

* Can point to the different parts of his body.

* The child able to sit still and occupy himself or concentrate for five to ten minutes with a toy, book or watching video.

If your child do not show all of the signs listed above then STOP trying. You will get frustrated throughout the training. The KEY to potty training quickly and successfully is to start when the child and parents are ready. Therefore, I suggest that you wait until the child is showing all the signs of readiness listed above before putting a potty in the bathroom upstairs and one in the toilet downstairs( get the same colour-toddler can be fussy at times!)

To start with the potty, allows him to watch you as you demonstrate and describe what are you doing, this will go a long way to teaching your child in advance what will eventually be expected of him. While you explain what you are doing, try too use clear simple language and actions.

Examples that you need to do-;

Mummy needs to go and do a pee pee.
Your assist act - take his hand and lead him to the bathroom.

Mummy does pee pee in the loo.
Your assist act - show him the toilet, pointing where the pee pee goes.

Mummy is pulling down her pants.
Your assist act - demonstrate how you pull your pants down.

Mummy is going to sit down on the loo and do the pee pee.
Your assist act - applause when he sits on his potty and praise him that "he is a clever boy"

Mummy has finished pee pee and pulling up her pants.
Your assist act - demonstrate how you pull your pants up.

When you wash your hands encourage him to join in.

The most important thing in training your child, when he is wearing pants, DO Not show signs of anger, disgust or disapprove when dealing with accidents in his pants. Remember to give him a lot of praise. When praising your child it is important that he understands why you are pleased with him.

Once he is happy to sit on the potty at bathtime, you should try sitting him on it after breakfast when he is changing out of his pyjamas and when you get him up from his nap. Again the nappy should be taken off and he should be encouraged to sit for a short spell on his potty. Do not worry if he doesn't manage to do anything, this is just practising.

The important thing is not to show disapproval or scold the child if he doesn't manage to poo in the potty every time. Encouragement and gentle reassurance will in the long term get better results.

Potty training

Potty train your toddler.