Our advice to help our child get clean

Choosing the right time to get it clean

First of all, it is important not to force your child to get clean. Some children are not particularly motivated to be clean. They appreciate the comfort of diapers and their mom’s attention when she changes it. It is important not to launch into a “war” on cleanliness because the child is likely to steer. Especially since this phase usually occurs around 2 years, the age of “no”, conducive to challenges of all kinds: it is preferable that the acquisition of cleanliness is not an issue of opposition. If he doesn’t want to get started, don’t insist and come back to it later. Your flexibility will reassure him. Don’t make him feel disappointed, don’t compare him to others who are already clean, or humiliate him by calling him a baby. Theis enough to spend a little time, a few weeks, so that the failure of the first attempt is forgotten, and talk to him again, rephrasing all the advantages of being clean. Usually the next attempt is the correct one …

Establish a routine as soon as he’s ready for the potty

When you think your child is ready, it is a good idea to establish a routine. Never forget: incite but not force! First, buy a pot that you will choose functional, unadorned and above all very stable. The feet should touch the ground. Then put it in the toilet. The child should understand the function of this part. Don’t be shy and show yourself on the toilet. It is important that he sees your actions, explain to him what you are doing. By imitation, he will no doubt wish to sit on his potty. Even dressed! Encourage him to do so. It’s even better if he wants to remove his diaper himself. You can also place it in the pot, to clearly show it what its function is.

Once familiar with the potty, invite him to sit on it at the best times of the day: upon waking, after meals or snacks, and before naps and bedtime to establish a routine. Often children send blatant signals that they are peeing or pooping. In this case, you can guide him to the pot before he gets into his diaper. Praise him even if he doesn’t arrive on time! Positive reinforcement remains the most effective technique.

Removing the diaper, a major step

Not putting on a diaper, with your consent, is an important step. He becomes big and autonomous. To emphasize this passage, you can go with him to choose tall panties. Why not printed with his favorite heroes? These are probably the ones he will choose anyway. Do not hesitate to remind him, from time to time, that he has no more diapers, but without insistence: he must be able to last more than an hour without peeing. In the event of an accident, a very addictive game is often the cause, do not be angry! Change it without giving it more importance. At the beginning, you can also reserve the diapers at very specific times: a long walk, for example, where it is not always easy to find toilets, or a trip by car to avoid too frequent stops. On the other hand, a child who experiences a series of failures should be able to wear a diaper again if he expresses the desire, without shame and without punishment. The experiment will be repeated in a few weeks or a few months when the child is better disposed.

Cleanliness: separate day and night

Some children are clean day and night at the same time, but this is very rare! Nighttime cleanliness often comes later, once that of the day is acquired. It is true that the pressure is not the same, since there is no stake in the school. In addition, it is better to wait until the child is familiar with daytime potty training, since the night is a long time, and it is even easier to forget about yourself during sleep. To help your child, you can offer him diapers that he manages himself : he puts them in the evening, removes them and throws them in the trash in the morning. So, it is his responsibility and when he feels ready, he may not even put on his diaper. In this case, the toilets must be easily accessible and lighted. You can also offer him a potty at the foot of his bed, if he is a little far from the toilet or if he is afraid to get up alone at night. Night cleaning is usually involved six to twelve months after the daytime, although there is no very precise rule in the matter.