When is it a Good Time to Start Potty Training?
No doubt about it, potty training is a huge milestone in your child's development. The number one consideration to keep in mind is successful potty training cannot be determined by reaching a certain age. Keeping that in mind will help you employ your number one tool in the process, patience.
Timing
Many children will show an interest in potty training by the time they reach their second birthday. It could be later for others and that is okay. Successful potty training is determined by physical and emotional readiness. Here are some key factors to keep in mind when determining if your child is ready for potty training:
· Interest in the potty chair, toilet, or wearing underwear
· Can understand and follow basic instructions
· Can communicate through words, expressions or body language the need to go
· Stays dry for periods of two hours or longer
· Complains about a wet or dirty diaper
· Can pull their pants up and down
· Can sit on and get off the potty chair with no assistance
If the majority of these key factors apply to your situation, you may want to begin potty training. Should your child have a chronic medical condition but other than that is able to utilize a potty chair, you may begin exposing him or her to potty training as well.
Setting up the Equipment
You will want to place the potty chair in a bathroom. Encourage them to sit on the potty chair, with or without their diaper. You want to ensure that his or her feet rest firmly on the floor. It may be beneficial for your child to see other members of your family using the toilet and you may also want to empty the contents of a dirty diaper into the toilet as further reinforcement.
Offer Frequent Opportunities
Teach your child the acceptable verbiage to use when communicating the need to visit the bathroom and then develop a schedule that allows your child to sit on the toilet, without his or her diaper, several times a day for a few minutes at a time. Stay with your child during any trips to the bathroom and offer encouragement and reminders that they can always try again if they are not successful on that visit. Allow them to flush when they are done and have them begin the habit of washing their hands.
Quick Response
As soon as you notice your child exhibiting signs that a trip to the bathroom is needed, act quickly. Help your child recognize the signals and what they mean: squirming, squatting, or holding the genital area. Praise him or her even if the visit is not productive.
First Time May Not be the Right Time
If your child is not getting the hang of things within a few weeks, take a break. You can both come back to the training with fresh perspectives, knowing what to expect with this go of it. If after several attempts fail and you are beginning to worry, take your child in to see a doctor. You will want to rule out any physical ailment that might be affecting your child and his or her doctor may have other recommendations for you to try.
Practice, and Patience, Makes Perfect
Both you and your child will need to remember to remain patient and calm during this learning process. You will be surprised how far a little encouragement and support will go once the time arrives for potty training.