Potty Training Basics

There are many tips for potty training, but not all tips work for every child. This is because every kid is different, and what works for one may not work for another. The good news is that there are countless ways to potty train your child.  Toddler readiness to be potty trained is the most important aspect of the whole process.

Your toddler will give you signs that he or she is ready for potty training. Usually, this occurs between a year and a half to three years of age, but these are merely rough guidelines and some toddlers may complete successful potty training earlier or later. The first thing you should to is talk to your toddler about using the potty and see how they respond. They may or may not have already shown signs of readiness like asking to wear underwear or use the potty. Make sure your child can stay dry for at least two hours before even attempting potty training.

There are helpful aids that you can pick up to make the process easier for some kids. For example, there are potty training charts, and a variety of potty training e-books and DVD titles for both kids and their parents. Reading these books and other information before and during the process can be very educational. Also, charts can be a good motivator for some little ones. If your child loves dolls, you can actually buy a potty training doll for them. There are more ways to motivate a child to want to use the potty, including letting them choose underwear and their own potty seat. Reading information from others who have experienced the problems and have overcome than can give you the parent much confidence.

Besides waiting for toddler readiness, some of the best tips for potty training include really involving your child in the process. As mentioned before, letting them choose their own potty chair and underwear can raise their interest in potty training. Making a schedule can help as well. Take your child to their potty and ask them to sit for a few minutes at intervals throughout the day. If they need help relaxing, a favorite book can help distract them. When your child seems to be successfully potty trained, try putting them in underwear all day and training pants at night, until they can stay dry all night.

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