Six Things To Keep In Mind If You Are Toilet Training Your Child

Most of the Moms are confused and in a rush when it comes to Potty Training since it seems to be a tedious task. In my opinion and experience if we do it the right way then you can Potty train your little one easily. Let’s see few basics of Potty Training step by step which will help to ease the Task:

1. Introducing the concept of Potty

Ideally the right age to Potty train your little one is between 18-30 months but before you start Potty Training it is advised to make your Baby aware about the concept of the potty. For example, when your little one reaches around 10 months or so (mostly all Babies can sit unassisted without support this time )you can start introducing the concept by these many ways:

✔Talk often about Potty while storytelling or while playing with your baby.

✔When you yourself go to Potty then talk about it so that your little one is  aware of what Potty actually means

My Tip: Consider buying a nice Potty Training book if your Baby loves to read books (as I did, this helps to some extent as you can show your little one through illustrations how the baby does and enjoy the process.You can Buy it here

The idea here is to make your Baby aware before you actually start Potty Training so that when you actually start the process your Baby can easily relate to it.

2. Look out for the Signs of readiness

Watch for these signs before you start the actual Potty training

✔If your Baby cries or is fussy when the diaper is soiled then you should consider Potty Training your little one as your little one can feel the diaper wetness now

✔If your baby doesn’t pee for continuous 1-2hrs or during /after naps then again this is a subtle sign to Potty train your little one.

My Tip: Consider Potty training your little one only when you are completely ready with utmost patience :).If you are unwell or relocating and just because your baby is at the right age to be Potty trained please do not attempt because this needs to be done in a relaxed atmosphere.

Note: Your baby should be able to sit unassisted off course.This a very basic requirement which many of us often confuse with signs of readiness.

3. Introduction to Potty Training Seat

Buy a nice Potty training seat for your Baby. A few things to consider when buying one

✔It should be comfortable for the baby to sit.

✔Preferably the one which keeps Baby hooked for long (consider buying the one with vibrant colors, or lights /music ).

My Tip: Consider buying a very basic Potty trainer with vibrant colors and have at least handles for your little one support, you can utilize those handles creatively to keep your little one entertained. I have bought a very basic Potty training seat for my little one which has a handle to help her sit comfortably (I generally hang  her toys or my Bangles over the handle to make her sit for long and it serves the purpose ;).

You can place the Potty seat in the play area where your baby is most comfortable.Once your baby is comfortable over the Potty training seat, you can slowly make the transition to regular Potty Seat.

If you are planning to make your baby sit on your regular Potty seat then at least your baby should follow basic instructions of taking out pants and sit on their own. Consider buying a step stool too so that your baby can easily climb over it.Also, make sure your Babies legs touch the floor during the whole process as Research suggests this is how this whole theory of popping out works.

4. Set a Routine

It’s important for you to create a Routine for your baby to sit on the Potty training seat initially for some time at some specified times of the day so that it comes into a habit. Even though your baby may not pee initially but the idea is to create a habit hence stick to it and do not punish your baby if he is not willing to pee or woo initially. Just make your baby sit for sometime and let rest of things go as they would on any other normal day.

My Tip: Try to make your baby sit early morning once baby wakes up (after consuming milk or at least water ) and at least once in the evening and as your baby gets used to the process you can make babysit after every 30 minutes or so.

5. Reward and Praises

Don’t forget to appreciate your little one efforts as and when they sit on the Potty seat and pee or poop. This keeps the motivation and encourages them to do better. You can reward them with something with each successful attempt.

For example, provide them nice stickers as a reward for each successful attempt.BTW these stickers come handy along with the Potty training book I mentioned above

Also, make sure you don’t overdo it as well.

My Tip: Encourage them by clapping and smiling when they do it right or if your baby has soft toys cum friends then appreciate your baby like I do “Look Teddy, Ashvika has done it right. Let’s clap. Yayyyy.

6. Talk about hygiene

Last but not the least teach your baby about basic hygiene of washing their hands with soap post usage of Potty seat and wipe the hands completely with a clean towel ✔

My Tip: Wash their hands always after the usage of Potty seat even though they don’t need it so that they form a habit

If you follow all of the above-mentioned steps calmly I am sure this will not be an overwhelming task anymore.

Hope this helps. Do let me know if you found this article useful.

Love,

Kanu

#earlylearning