The best way to potty train your toddler is to start when the time is right. It needs a lot of patience and the awareness that the little ones will take their own sweet time sometimes.
Toilet training and Potty-training young girls and boys is an unavoidable part of being a parent. This is definitely not the best thing about parenting. However, there are some things that you can do to make this process a little easier and quicker. This is what I learnt from my experience as a mother after having employed several methods.
POTTY TRAIN YOUR TODDLER AT THE CORRECT AGE
It’s important that you don’t rush the process. The best way to know whether your child is ready to be toilet trained is check the frequency at which you are having to change his/her diaper. If the frequency isn’t too high, then it’s a good time. Mostly when your child turns two it is time for you to start. However, some kids might want to wait a little longer.
If your child is getting vocal about dirty diapers and is asking you to change them, then you can also take this as a lead to start.
GET RID OF THE DIAPERS
The best potty training tip is to stop using diapers when at home. They might pee in their pants a few times. When they do, you have to tell them that they need to use the toilet. Wet pants can make them uncomfortable and they soon realise that using the toilet is much more comfortable. This realisation can take some time though.
BUY A MOBILE POTTY SEAT CHAIR
When my son turned 2, I got a potty seat chair, Pumpkin Panda Baby Duck Potty Sheet With Handel – Pink that could be moved around. I also involved my son in the purchase process. This was a very good idea because he got excited every-time he looked at the potty seat chair.
The advantage of the chair over the potty seat is that it allows you to put your child immediately on the chair instead of rushing him to the toilet. This is also more comfortable than the potty seat in the actual toilet because this enables them to rest their feet on the floor.
In a few months you will notice your child standing or running towards the potty chair every time he/she wants to pee.
TALK ABOUT GOING TO THE TOILET
Every time you use the toilet, inform your child. Tell him/her that you are going to the toilet to urinate. Children love to follow their parents. If they notice you mentioning this, then they won’t mind using it themselves when asked to do so.
ASK THEM TO USE THE TOILET
Tell your child that he/she is big like mummy and papa and that he/she must use the toilet. Tell them that diapers are for small babies and the he/she is not a baby anymore. This will give them a sense of achievement every time they use the toilet.
BUY FUN UNDERWEAR
Buy, fun underwear for them, with prints of their favourite cartoon/ superhero character. Tell them that they will win new prints and styles if they use the toilet.
MAKE THE TOILET A FUN PLACE
Keep books, tell stories, sing songs and also show new toys every time they use the toilet. This will make toilet a fun place and they will want to use it if they want to pee. Make this into a small adventure for them.
FOLLOW A ROUTINE
Important that you follow a routine. Take them to the toilet before and after they sleep, after mealtime and before outdoor play time. Fix these slots. This will prepare them in advance, and they will know that this is an everyday thing.
CHOOSE A COMFORTABLE POTTY SEAT
Make sure that the potty seat that you pick is comfortable and fits properly on the actual seat. Sometimes the kids avoid the toilet if the potty seat isn’t comfortable. Try and involve them in the purchase process. They are usually more accepting of the product that they choose themselves. I use La Corsa KE-3 Portable Adult Baby Potty Toilet Seat (Blue) and my son loves it.
MAKE A POTTY TRAINING CHART
You can also have a sticker chart in place where you give your child one star or smiley sticker every time, he/she uses the toilet. This makes going to the toilet a game and most kids enjoy collecting sticker stamps. This will also help you keep a track of the number of times your little one is using the toilet in a day and at what intervals he/she is doing so.
BE PATIENT AND DON’T WORRY
The most important is to be patient and not to worry. If you are doing all of the above, then just keep doing it and don’t lose hope. Your child is going to be toilet trained soon and you are very close to saying good- bye to diapers forever.
CONCLUSION:
Always remember that all children get toilet trained eventually. Some just take a little longer than the others. The trick is to start when the time is right and to stay patient. Make the whole process fun both for yourself and your child.
Good luck! Hope these tips will help you to potty train your toddler.