Potty Training

[Ryden's_Mum]

Hi Mummies,

When is the best time for potty training? You think I can start training Ryden on her potty now that she's 19 months old? Will it cause any anxiety? One time she peed not wearing a diaper and she was so afraid that she cried. Since then I became worried so I stopped training her. How should I potty train correctly?

Thanks,
Kriziela

[5Homebirths4Kate]

Hi Kriziela,

Many children aren't ready to be potty trained until they are close to 3 years old when daytime bladder control is stronger and more reliable. There are physical and cognitive skills which need to develop before a child is ready to be potty trained.

Your daughter will actually show signs that she's getting ready but do remember that some children who show many signs of readiness may not be physically able to control elimination.

Some of the most common signs are...

- Your child can stay dry for at least 2 hours or during naps, which shows that her bladder muscles are well developed to hold urine.

- Your child can sit quietly in one position for 5 minutes without being entertained.

- Your child doesn't like to be in a wet or dirty nappy.

- Your child tells you when she's dirty.

- Your child doesn't resist when you want her to use the potty.

- Your child knows when she needs to go (even if it's just a few seconds before she goes).

- Takes an interest in the bathroom and in watching you use the lu.

- Will sit on the lu when you place her there without wanting to get down quickly.

I found that it was easier to have my children in nappies until they were close to 3 - much easier when out and about, to change a nappy rather than to find a bathroom so for me, I wasn't in any hurry to potty train. But when they were close to 3, or they turned 3, I was able to train them in a day.

My last child showed signs of readiness when she was closer to 2 1/2, but she was the only one of 5 that did... and so she trained earlier than the others.

Here's a great article on how to train in just one day. This is a great plan because it avoids accidents and frustration for both mum and child.

Hope this helps.

Warm Regards,

Kate

[Ryden's_Mum]

Wow I'm grateful for this Kate, I just learned that Ryden isn't really ready yet. She's still not showing the signs that you have mentioned. Maybe I was just a little excited for the potty training. So for now, I'll let her be and won't be pushing her hard on this. I just realized she's really too young for this. Thanks for the article, this is a great help!

[5Homebirths4Kate]

You are most welcome. It can be exciting to go through all the "firsts" with your first child.

[rballermo1008]

Hi,

I am so obsessed to have my kid potty trained to reduce buying nappies. He's 2 now and still afraid to use the toilet seat. I bought him his own potty seat with his favorite character but he's still not ready to use it. How can I make my kid try it?

[5Homebirths4Kate]

Hi rballermo1008,

I know that nappies can be costly, but unfortunately there may be little you can do until your child is developmentally ready. If a child cannot hold his urine for very long, and if he doesn't recognize that he needs to go, he's simply not going to be able to use the potty.

When you look at the list I posted above about signs that tell you that your child is developmentally ready to be trained, which of those things can your child do?

If you feel your child is developmentally ready to be trained, then let me know and I'll give you some suggestions on how to train him.

Warm Regards,

Kate

[rballermo1008]

Hi Kate,

I once took a bath with him. I sat on the lu and I saw him watching. I think that is the only sign. Well, he speaks when he poops. I think that is another one.

[Anni]

Hi, rballermo1008,

I want to share my opinion with you. I also want my daughter (21 months) try to use the potty, but it?s rather difficult. She shows the most of those signs, but I decided not to force her to do that. She will use it anyway, when she would be ready.

Kind regards,

Anni