Potty Training Your Child
As much as you love being a parent, there are certain phases you can not wait to be over. Being drowned in nappies ranks high on that list. However, as time passes, you may notice a slight decline in how many nappies you’re changing throughout the day. When your little one stays dry after naptime, you may feel so happy that you just want to celebrate! But, you might want to hold out on the balloons and confetti, as there is another challenge that you need to tackle with your child, and that is getting them to learn how to use the toilet.
Just like learning how to talk and walk, getting your child potty trained is an important milestone. Not only will you buy nappies less frequently (the environment thanks you for that, by the way), but you will also see your bundle of joy taking slow and steady steps towards maturity. Furthermore, you may hear other parents rave about how this milestone was a walk in the park, and naturally, you want the same for your child. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work like that. Now, as much as you want to dive head-on, keep in mind that potty training is a process that takes time and even more patience.
Additionally, every child is different, meaning that for some, the training will be a stress-free experience, while for others, it may be a little more difficult. Right from the start, we want to point out that the pacing or “how fast they learn how to do it” is unimportant. What is important, however, is that your child learns how to use the toilet correctly without feeling overwhelmed. For that reason, we have gathered a list of tips on how to ease the process of potty training.
When To Start Potty Training
As soon as you notice that you’re changing your eco-friendly nappies less frequently, that may be a sign that your toddler is prepared to start potty training. Now, they still pee quite frequently until they’re two years old; however, if they’ve dry for an hour or two, especially after nap time, this is an indicator that they’ve started to develop bladder control. Additionally, if your little one is tip-toeing around, crossing their legs, or just making pouty faces, that too shows that they might want to use the toilet. If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to get yourself a reliable potty and kiss those nappies goodbye!
Preparing Your Child For Potty Training
Toddlers may see potties as objects that cause them a lot of confusion – some might even get scared of them! Normally, they are not familiar with them, so you need to teach them what they are and how to use them.
1) The first step of potty training is to point out the benefits of using a toilet. That said, you can devise a system that rewards your child every time they use the potty successfully. For instance, you can put up a calendar and put stickers on the dates when the potty was used correctly. While this benefits your tot, you too will also feel a sense of achievement!
2) In addition, make sure to praise your child every time they exhibit mature behaviour. This doesn’t only apply to potty training – you can use positive reinforcement when they eat neat or don’t make quite a mess. However, don’t force them too much, as too much maturity for their age can be stressful. Simply, let your children be children and occasionally praise them once they act a bit more grown up.
3) Remember how we mentioned that some toddlers might find potties confusing? Well, the reason for that is because they don’t know how to use them! Children are visual learners, meaning that they will usually mimic your behaviour. With that in mind, show them how to use the toilet, as well as how to wipe and flush. In addition, if your tyke has soiled their eco-friendly nappy, you can put the poo directly in the potty, thus showing them where they need to go if they want to go. But remember, never, ever refer to pottying or nappies as “disgusting” or “yucky” in front of your children! In turn, this may make them feel ashamed, and the act of going to the toilet can be an embarrassing experience.
How To Potty Train Your Toddler
Get a potty
As previously stated, you need to buy your toddler a potty for them to use. Ideally, it needs to be set up in the bathroom since they’ll learn the room's purpose. In case your bathroom is on the second floor, get two potties – the other one should be meant for a room they usually hang out in, so they have fast access whenever they need to relieve themselves. Alternatively, if your child mimics your every move, you may consider a toilet seat that’s specifically made for the little ones.
Pull ups
Additionally, you may want to invest in reusable or disposable clothing, such as pull-ups. Mainly, once your child starts getting the hang of potty training, they need to wear clothes that can easily be removed. Refrain from using nappies once they start wearing this kind of attire since they’ll start being aware of when they’ve wet themselves, ultimately signifying that they should’ve used the potty. Sometimes it’s a good idea to let your child’s bottom hang bare – once nature calls, immediately rush to the toilet! Use reusable pull-ups for the most eco friendly option.
Be patient
Finally, the last tip we can give you, being the most important, is patience. As you know, potty training is different for every child, and sometimes it can make them quite fussy. However, never force them to go to the toilet – this will only make them feel more pressure. Moreover, if the process takes longer than expected, don’t show visible signs of frustration. Kids can learn a lot from grimaces, so if they see their parents with a frown on their faces, they might understand that this kind of behaviour is not acceptable, which further elongates the process.
Getting your kid potty trained is just one more step towards maturity; however, it shouldn’t be rushed at any point. Let them find their own pace and encourage them to keep pushing - no pun intended! Even if you’re starting with potty training, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to throw away your diapers immediately. Disasters may happen at any point, so it’s important to always stay prepared.