The Ultimate Guide to Potty Training Your Toddler

Using a potty is a new habit and skill that your child will have to learn. Although you may get restless in potty training your child, it’s better to take it slow and go at your child’s pace. Being patient with kids during toilet training can help them understand it the correct way even if you feel frustrated. 

When physically ready, children are automatically able to control their bowel and bladder. Some children may take time while others may be ready before you know it. Since every child is different, it’s best not to start with comparison and go with the flow that your child allows. 

As a common occurrence, children usually learn to control their bowels before their bladder. A general pattern seen in children is as follows: 

• Most babies tend to stop pooping at night by the age of 1. 
• Some children tend to be dry during the day by the age of 2 (it is a rare occurrence. Hence, do not be disheartened if your child does not). 
• Every 9 out of 10 children are mostly dry during the day by the age of 3. 
• Most children are reliably dry throughout the day by the age of 4. 

Staying dry is an acquired habit that children learn as they age. Although most children learn this between the ages of 3 to 5, some children may still wet the bed after the age of 5. 

When to Start Potty Training? 

Potty training for kids is important but you cannot force your child to use a potty. If they are not ready, you will not be able to force them. The good news is that most children will want to use a potty by the time they reach a certain age. Children may find it weird to go to school in nappies and make your work easier. 

You should, however, not wait for the time and introduce toilet training for babies between the ages of 18 months to 2 years as a part of their normal routine. You can give it a try if there are no major changes in their or your routine. What matters is to stay patient and consistent throughout so you do not end up confusing your kids. 

Another way to for baby potty training is to take a potty with you when you go out. This habit makes your child understand that you would want them to pee or poop in the potty every time. You can start doing this when you feel that your child is ready. 

Surprisingly, you may not even know that your child is ready but they may show certain signs of bladder control: 

• They will know when they are peeing and may even tell you while they are doing it. 
• They will know when they are wet or have a dirty nappy. 
• They will start telling you that they need to pee or quietly pee somewhere. 
• Their gap between wetting is at least an hour. 
• They will know when they need to pee in advance. 

Remember, that potty training for babies is best when they reach the last stage. This will also make it easy for you to teach them to use a potty whenever they feel like peeing. 

Buckle Yourself Up for Potty Training 

Potty training is no rocket science. It may, however, test your patience more than you can imagine. Since using a potty is new to your child, you will need to get them used to the idea of using one. 

You can start by explaining it to them. For instance, keep the potty where your child can see it and explain its use. Children tend to learn faster by watching. Hence, you can also your older child to show how to use one. It will help your child understand better while you are explaining. If you do not have an older child, you can use their toys for the same. 

How to Start Potty Training? 

Keep the potty in the bathroom. If you have a bathroom upstairs, keep another potty downstairs, this makes it easy for the child to reach whenever they want. The idea is to make it accessible for your child so that it creates a habit for them. 

Encourage your child to sit on the potty after every meal as digested foods may urge them to poop. You can make it interesting by giving them a book or toys to play with during the time. 

If your child has developed a habit to poop at the same time each day, don’t wrap the nappy around them and take them to the potty. If you notice your child not liking the idea, put the nappy back and repeat this after a few weeks. 

Children may not like using a potty in the beginning. You can, however, start slow by encouraging them to pee in it first. This will build their confidence when they are ready to use it poop. 

As soon as you notice that your child might pee, ask, and encourage them to use a potty. There are chances that your child may not understand how to use it and may slip. Keep patience and teach them calmly every time. You can also reward them if they get to use it perfectly. It will encourage them more. 

How To Potty Train Kids for Night? 

Toilet training for kids during the day is comparatively easier but you may need a little more effort at night. 

If your child stays dry most of the time during the day or only slightly damp after waking up, you may start with nighttime potty training. 

You can start it slow by encouraging them to use a potty the last thing before they go to bed. Also, make sure that it is placed somewhere close to them so that they can pee at night. Like your daytime training, praise and reward them. 

If things do not go well and you notice your child is frustrated with the idea, stick with nappies at least at night and wait for a few weeks. 

Conclusion 

Potty training for kids requires effort and patience. With the right approach, however, you can succeed before you know it. Keep in mind that positive reinforcement works best for children. Hence, make sure to praise them a lot and reward them more often.