How & When to Successfully Potty Train your Toddler

There are plenty of things we enjoy doing for our kids, changing their dirty diapers isn’t really one of them. Luckily, once the kiddos have matured enough, we can finally train them to expel their human waste in a more hygienic manner. There are three essential points to cover when discussing how to potty train children:

1. Age. The first question that usually pops up in a discussion about potty training, At what age do I begin to train my child? The truth is, there is no set age that your child needs to be to commence learning how to go to the bathroom. You may have had a friend or relative brag about how their child was advanced and managed to do away with diapers well before they were 18 months; but the reality is most of our little ones aren’t physically and emotionally mature enough to start potty training until they are at least 24 months old. Some children may even need more time than that, it just depends on the abilities of your child. Therefore the short answer to the question of what age to potty train a child is, it depends on the child.

2. Equipment/Tools. What tools are needed for potty training my child? When beginning to potty train your child, be sure to have a potty training toilet or an adapter for your normal toilet. Using one of these products, which can be purchased for around $30, can make potty training easier and safer for both you and your child. Another purchase that can aid you in your training, is a potty-training book for toddlers. A book can help increase your child’s excitement about the whole ordeal and the illustrations might also help him/her figure out the process of going to the bathroom. You can also purchase training pants for your little one so that once they get the hang of going on the potty, they can easily just pull down the training pants all by themselves, rather than having to deal with a diaper. The last thing you’ll need in order to potty-train your tot, can’t be purchased anywhere. Teaching your child to use the toilet requires a lot of patience, so be prepared to rise above the frustration.

3. Teaching Tactics. I’ve got all the equipment I need for potty-training, so now what? Potty-training your toddler might take time, but it will take less time if you implement a consistent routine. Create a schedule for encouraging your little learner to sit on the potty. Whether he says he/she needs to go or not, ask him/her to sit down for a few minutes and try at designated times. Being in the room or giving your child a book or toy to focus on, can make sitting on the potty an enjoyable experience. Another thing you can do to aid your child’s potty progress, is demonstrate how you use the toilet. If your toddler sees you using the toilet, he/she will want to imitate that action. Remember to reward your toddler after a successful trip to the bathroom to further encourage their actions.

Potty training certainly won’t be the easiest challenge you will have faced, but after your lovely little one can successfully go to the bathroom all on his/her own, you and your child will be content. Keep in mind you don’t need to be forceful or rush things–kids learn things at their own rate, which might be faster or slower than you expected it to be.