Potty training tips, because it can be a simple, procedure painfree for your child and you. Simple steps take the frustration out of toilet training.
Teaching your child to use the bathroom does not need to be a painful process for you or your child. The fact is the less painful it is the quicker it will happen. Children don't like to have wet diapers or pants on any more than you do. Use this fact to make training your child easy.
The best time to start is as soon as they can sit unaided. At about 6 months old start sitting your child on a potty-chair at every diaper change for a moment or two. This will accustom them to the seat, and they will develop the habit of sitting for a moment.
When they are about 9 months old start sitting them on the potty first thing in the morning, before and after every meal, and before and after activity changes. If you should happen to catch them and they actually use the potty-chair then you should act extremely excited. Clap hands, smile, tell them how big they are getting etc. Don't worry at this point if they don't understand, they will soon.
When they are about a year old start putting them in cloth potty pants when they are at home. Using plastic pants is very helpful. Change them as soon as they get wet. Again continue to sit them on the potty-chair and become excited about catching them.
Learn to tell from your child's actions when they are about to have a bowl movement or wet, as soon as they start to go rush them to the bathroom and tell them that they should go in the potty. Don't worry if they don't go or if they go as soon as they leave the bathroom. Again continue to reward them with excitement if you catch them in time.
Start using a word or two consistently to tell them what they are doing, single syllable words are the best, such as potty, poo etc. At this point don't worry about teaching them to differentiate between bowel movements and urinating. That will come later and will only serve to confuse your child at this point.
When your child is about 18 months old start teaching them to say potty (or whatever word you have chosen) when you change their diapers. If they stay dry for two or three hours then you can safely put them in training pants during the day. Be prepared for accidents, but don't yell or chastise your child; they are not having accidents on purpose. Just continue to take them to the bathroom on a regular schedule, and encourage them to use the potty-chair.
Sometime between 18 months and two years your child will use the bathroom almost always. Nighttime training will take a little longer, but don't worry, they will eventually remain dry at night. If your child has not been able to remain dry for at least two or three hours at a time during the day, see your health care professional.
Relax. Toilet training your child is a stressful time, if you remain calm, and relaxed then it will be much easier for you and your child.
