potty training a toddler
Potty Training a Toddler: Toileting Tips
Mike JerryPotty training a toddler requires the parent to determine when the child is ready. Parents will need to look for toilet training readiness signs such as the child expressing the desire to use the bathroom, holding their urine for periods of time, and having an interest in wearing underpants instead of diapers. Summer is a good time to train because the child is wearing less clothing. Parents can refer to learning techniques such as books and videos to help the process along. Choosing a fun potty and praising the child will go a long way. Seek the help of a pediatrician if you suspect health problems.
The toddling stage is just the time when parents should start teaching the child independence. The toddler is taught to control his bowel movements until the bathroom can be reached. Since a toddler is not able to use a toilet, he/she is directed to use a potty. In the later stage of potty training, the toddler is taught to remove his/her pants before sitting on the potty and pull them back up after eliminating.
Time for Potty Training a Toddler
Normally, a child is ready to be potty trained somewhere between the age of eighteen months and two years. Girls have been observed to reach the readiness for training earlier than boys. By the age of three years all children should be potty trained, at least for the daytime (it might take another couple of years to stop bedwetting). Markers of potty training a toddler are:
* The child understands the word for ‘defecating’ or ‘stool’.
* The toddler expresses the need to eliminate by verbal or body language.
* The toddler shows uneasiness in diapers and seeks privacy.
* The toddler can stay dry for at least two hours.
* The child shows more interest in wearing underpants than diapers.
Summer is the best time to start potty training a toddler since the child has less clothing to remove while using the potty. If some time-capturing event is on or near to come (holiday, new baby, moving from house etc.), wait till things get stable.
Beginning with the Training
You can start teaching your toddler what a potty is and how it is used. Watching an illustrated potty training book together or a video is a great way to provide guidance. Choosing a potty also matters. If you take your child along and let him/her pick up her favorite color and design, it will facilitate the teaching process. Today, potties are available that play music on receiving urine. Parents have tried these with success in potty training a toddler. Keep the potty within the toddler’s reach. Amuse the child as he/she sits on the potty. On successfully eliminating in the potty, reward the child with a kiss or hug, or (if he/she shows a likeness) give some of his/her favorite food item. But never punish a child if he/she does not succeed with the potty.
Need to See a Pediatrician
If you are potty training a toddler of age 3 for over six months and are not getting any success or very little of it, medical causes might be involved in the child’s development to learn. The toddler might be having constipation and irregular bowel movements. It’s time to see a pediatrician.
Time for Potty Training a Toddler
Normally, a child is ready to be potty trained somewhere between the age of eighteen months and two years. Girls have been observed to reach the readiness for training earlier than boys. By the age of three years all children should be potty trained, at least for the daytime (it might take another couple of years to stop bedwetting). Markers of potty training a toddler are:
* The child understands the word for ‘defecating’ or ‘stool’.
* The toddler expresses the need to eliminate by verbal or body language.
* The toddler shows uneasiness in diapers and seeks privacy.
* The toddler can stay dry for at least two hours.
* The child shows more interest in wearing underpants than diapers.
Summer is the best time to start potty training a toddler since the child has less clothing to remove while using the potty. If some time-capturing event is on or near to come (holiday, new baby, moving from house etc.), wait till things get stable.
Beginning with the Training
You can start teaching your toddler what a potty is and how it is used. Watching an illustrated potty training book together or a video is a great way to provide guidance. Choosing a potty also matters. If you take your child along and let him/her pick up her favorite color and design, it will facilitate the teaching process. Today, potties are available that play music on receiving urine. Parents have tried these with success in potty training a toddler. Keep the potty within the toddler’s reach. Amuse the child as he/she sits on the potty. On successfully eliminating in the potty, reward the child with a kiss or hug, or (if he/she shows a likeness) give some of his/her favorite food item. But never punish a child if he/she does not succeed with the potty.
Need to See a Pediatrician
If you are potty training a toddler of age 3 for over six months and are not getting any success or very little of it, medical causes might be involved in the child’s development to learn. The toddler might be having constipation and irregular bowel movements. It’s time to see a pediatrician.
