Potty training is a kind of ritual that every parent of a baby goes through. This is often a difficult task with its own fears and setbacks. But, as psychologists say, this “child’s movement” from the diaper to the potty, and then to the toilet may well be calm and short in time. Do not be afraid and do not get lost. Scientists at the University of Michigan have collected all noteworthy tips on how to potty train your child. Let’s figure it out.
1. Many parents believe that the child begins to potty when the time is right. According to the University of Michigan, the physical skills required to successfully potty train are sufficient by 18 months. Although most children at this age prefer diapers, categorically refusing the pot, with tantrums and tears. But by the age of three, this issue should be resolved, almost 98% of three-year-olds are fully trained to ask to go to the toilet.
If your baby is approaching the age of three and is still in diapers, don’t panic. There are many stories when a child passes the potty and immediately asks to go to the toilet, repeating after adults. Instead of a potty, in this case, there will be a child seat on the toilet.
2. But in order to teach a child to go to the potty, it is necessary and necessary to see some prerequisites. Looking for signs that your child is ready.
- If your baby stays dry for two to three hours a day.
- He has a dry diaper after sleeping or when he wakes up in the morning.
- If he pees at the same time every day (after eating, drinking, for example).
- The child has a desire to take off a dirty diaper, pants or panties.
- If he repeats after adults and does not want to walk wet, showing independence).
3. Remember that your child may skip the pot stage.
Some parents prefer to go straight to the toilet rather than negotiate a pot. This sometimes works, but younger children may find the toilet intimidating. Do not force if this is the case. It may be more convenient for you, but not for the child. Let him learn to potty first.
4. For a baby, “big” and “small” are not the same thing.
The little ones see what leaves their body and are not surprised. As for the “pee-pee” – for them it is a big mystery. Let me explain: when they pee in the diaper, they don’t see it, they only feel it. And do not be surprised that at first the little one can write in a pot, but poop in a diaper. Do not scold, do not make an elephant out of a fly. This is normal, and not only for you, but for babies around the world. As babysitter writer Catherine Mewes, author of The Real Nanny: Your Baby and His Problems, says: “Your baby won’t go to school in diapers – relax!”
Likewise, do not be surprised when suddenly the kid gets upset when he sees you flush his pot of “which” into the toilet. This is a fairly common reaction in young children. According to Dr. Shiko: “They feel that it is their own, it came from the inside.” It will pass. It must be explained that these are food leftovers and the body no longer needs it.
5. Know when to take a break.
Baby corkscrews (it happens quite often) can lead to the fact that the child can be frightened by the pot. Don’t insist on it. Take a break. You can return to this question in a week. It is very important to get rid of painful sensations, to put the baby’s intestines in order: drink plenty of water, not juices, eat dried fruits, beets, figs and boiled corn. Eliminate (or reduce) meat, cheese, bread and sweets – foods that contribute to constipation. If you forcefully put a baby on a potty, you can develop a syndrome of persistent constipation as a reaction to such violence.
6. Adaptation to the schedule.
Recognize that some of the events, your movements and life patterns during this time must revolve around your baby’s bladder. Exactly. Try to keep your car trips short without wearing a diaper, which can embarrass your little one’s new skills. Use a towel or absorbent diaper on the baby’s seat. Have spare pants. No oilcloth panties, this is the same as a diaper. This is how we control the bladder, and this is important and leads to reliable urination.
7. Do not ask your baby all the time when he wants to use the toilet.
You are used to it, right? But it’s not right. Such questions prevent the child from reflecting on his natural needs. After all, he is already able to assess when he needs to pee. If you ask often, he himself will never ask. This advice defies common sense, and try it anyway.
8. Immediately teach hand washing.
Try the soap odor test. Let your child smell the soap or pens first afterwards. Explain what this is for. This is a very important step for you and your child: I went to the toilet and immediately washed my hands. Only here we need to do everything right, explain that there can be microbes on our palms, and we wash them off to distant lands. And you can’t take soap in your mouth, it will be bad for your tummy. And you yourself can use this test in the future: the handles smell, which means, well done, washed. If not, gently guide the child back to the bathroom and be sure to wash their hands.
9. We struggle with the desire to help. Only teach.
Yes, it will seem strange, but as soon as the baby began to walk “in a big way” on the potty or in the toilet, we teach them to dry themselves (with wet wipes or paper, there may also be washing). Teach the girl to wipe along a trajectory: front to back, and the boy from back to front. Until the paper is clean. I’ll have to tinker and wash a couple of panties. But you need to teach this right away! You will be tempted to do it yourself, be firm, both with your child and with yourself. This “wiping” can take a long time, as soon as the child begins to experience a feeling of disgust. And this can be.
10. Take “hard” cases seriously.
All children, by accident or forgetfulness, can put on their pants. At this point, you need to stay calm and not inflate the problem out of it. Never embarrass or embarrass your child. Just wash him, put him in order and remind him how well he can do everything, and this is an accident. It is better to be dry and clean, as well as to ask to go to the toilet, too, should not be forgotten.
11. Be realistic – dry nights won’t always be!
A toddler who does not pee during the day may be wet at night. These are different physiological processes. Try not to have too many expectations about when this will happen. Sleep behavior is a completely different story. If you are ready for further training, do not wear a night diaper. Yes, the baby will wake up. Yes, you need to change your diaper. But always keep the chamber pot by your side and train it to go there. He himself will soon ask.
Here are some rules.
- Avoid a lot of liquids at night.
- Offer to sit on the potty at night.
- Place a protective diaper on.
- Buy a night light for pleasant light.