Potty Training: When Should I Start?
It can be difficult to determine when is the right time to potty train your child. It really is a decision that can only be made by the child. For whatever reason, parents today just don’t seem to want to take the time to wait for their child to be ready to be potty trained and instead force them to do it early. I hate to admit it, but that’s how I felt too. Maybe it’s just this fast-paced society we live in right now that is contributing to this feeling of extreme urgency, but either way, this is a real problem that can cause all sorts of problems for the child if he or she isn’t ready. to start the process.
Most children are ready to start potty training when they are between 18 and 24 months of age. But that’s not a “set in stone” rule. You’ll know when they’re ready because the signs will be there. These are the signs to look for:
o Expresses interest in using the bathroom
o Try to imitate other family members using the potty
o You can tell him that he needs to go to the bathroom or tell him that he has already done so
o Is able to pull his pants up and down on his own
o Expresses irritation when diapers are wet and remains dry for approximately two hours at a time
o Expresses interest in big boys’ underwear
When your child shows that he is ready to be potty trained, it is time for you to start potty training. You should choose a comfortable potty that makes potty training fun for your child and is easy for you to clean as well. If you’re not sure which chairs your child will like, take him with you when she picks it out.
You can introduce the idea of potty training by reading a bedtime potty training story or by watching a potty training DVD together. You can also teach your child the steps to go to the bathroom on her own, which include:
o Take off underwear
or sit
or actually goes to the bathroom
or get clean
or Rinse
o Wash hands afterwards.
Quick tips: Give your child a little more fluid so he can increase the chances of potty training. This will help your child develop muscle memory and help him or her learn to potty quickly. Take your child to the bathroom every thirty minutes and on time. Have your child sit down for a couple of minutes and read a book together while he is still on the potty. Run the faucet or place your child’s feet in warm water to stimulate urination. Don’t you remember that pajama trick you did on your friends? It will work on the baby too!
Just remember to relax and not stress so much about this whole potty training thing. It will happen soon enough.