Potty Training for the Beginner

Pinkmaddy | Jul 14, 2010 |

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Potty training a young child can be an exciting, yet stressful time for a parent. Patience is the key step to being successful in this area. Most parents start toilet training their child between the ages of 18 months and 3 years old. With a few simple steps and things to remember, you are sure to be successful in training your little one to use the toilet.

First, you need to figure out if your child is ready to use the toilet and start potty training. Your child should be able to follow simple instructions. You also need to see that your child is not comfortable in a dirty diaper, and may try to take it off. If your child can stay dry for 2 hours or more at a time, or if your toddler can take a nap and still wake up dry, then your child might be ready to start the exciting process of toilet training. You must remember though, that if your child is not ready, then you might want to wait a few months before you start.

The first thing you want to do is buy a potty chair. Many parents use one that can be attached to the toilet itself, but just makes the seat smaller so your toddler will not fall in. Let your child sit on the toilet and use simple, easy words to explain to him or her what you would like them to do. The next thing you want to do is to make sure to have scheduled potty breaks. Have your child sit on the toilet for a few minutes at scheduled times throughout the day. Give him or her a special toy to play with or you can even try reading a favorite book while they are sitting there. Do not let them sit there for too long, though. Make sure you give your toddler lots of praise, even if they do not use the toilet and only sit there.

As soon as you notice signs that your little one may have to use the bathroom, make sure you get to the toilet immediately, and do not make a big deal out of mistakes. Many parents also use incentives to help their child learn, such as fun trips to a park or even an extra story at bedtime. Whatever you do, remember that potty training is not usually a quick process; it takes time and a lot of patience. Let your child learn at his or her own pace and do not give up because when they are fully trained it will be one of the most exciting times in a parent's life.