As a parent, it feels great to see your child growing with each passing day. With time, you also see them getting independent, as much as you love seeing them transform there is a milestone that requires your undivided attention. Now you must be thinking about what that is? Well, it’s potty training or toilet training.
Potty training eww!! I know that must be your response after reading what I just told you. Well, let me clarify. A potty is a bowel that is used by children as a toilet. So, it is not as gross as you think. Training along with the term potty means ‘toilet training’. It means that you are training your child to get free from the diapers and to start depending on the toilet to do all the excretion.
Toilet training is not as easy as it sounds. It surely is a big step for the kids and the parents both. But what’s the secret to getting successful in that? What if I say it’s just timing and patience.
Now as a human being, I know there are questions that might be bugging you right now. So, let’s address them first.
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What is the Right Time to Potty Train?
To think that toilet training depends on age is a complete myth and a misconception that is believed by a lot of parents. And because of this particular reason, a lot of parents keep on waiting till their baby reaches the age of 4 or 5 years old.
There have been children from the age of 18 to 24 months that have shown great results when it comes to potty training. And there are also children that are not ready to get potty trained until they reach the age of 3. So, there is no rush, but if you start early there are chances that it might take a longer time to train the child.
To know the answer to your child is ready, ask these questions to yourself.
- Is my child able to walk to the toilet?
- Is he/she able to sit on the seat?
- Can he/she pull down his/her pants?
- Is my baby able to stay dry for two hours?
- Is my baby able to understand instructions and basic directions?
- Can my child tell me when they want to go to the toilet?
- Is the baby comfortable leaving the habit of wearing a diaper?
Now, if the answer to all of these questions is a yes, then your child is ready for potty training. But if your answer is a big no then you might as well think again. Along with the child, the readiness of the parent also is of equal importance. Do not limit the success or failure of your child’s toilet training entirely to him, you play an equal part.
How to Potty Train a Child Efficiently? – Tips and Tricks
First of all, it is important to start toilet training when you are completely ready to devote your time and energy to it. Well, to begin the training properly, keep on reading.
Make Good Use of Words
The first and foremost thing to do is to choose the right words when it comes to addressing the process. Do not use negative words while potty training as they might be a turn-off for them as children are growing up at that time. Avoid using terms like dirty or smelly and even stinky for your child’s bodily fluids.
Get the Equipment Ready
By equipment, I don’t mean some special tools. You just have to do the arrangements before time. Get the toilet seat for the baby ready. Now by that, I mean that you need to put the chair wherever you see your child spending the most time.
Now to get the answer to how to potty train a child effectively, start by making sure that your baby sits on the toilet chair with the clothes on. Make sure that the feet of the baby are on the floor or on a stool. To talk about the toilet, make sure that you are using simple and easy terms while potty training.
One practice that is not necessary, but might help a lot in making the training process more effective is to take the contents of the diaper out and put them in the potty chair so that you could demonstrate it more easily.
Take Potty Breaks and Intervals
According to the top reviewed pediatrician in Lahore, Dr. Nida Badar “Make your baby sit on the potty chair or the toilet without the diaper for a few minutes and make sure to give them a two-hour interval.” This must be done after naps and right after waking up.
Another better approach that you can use is to read a book together or take a toy along and play with the child. Do not force the child to keep sitting. Let them get up from the toilet or the seat when they want to. Keep praising your child, even if they sit on the toilet and do nothing. Tell them that they can try again and remember to bring the potty chair with you when you go somewhere for efficient potty training.
Reach the Toilet Fast
Whenever you notice the urge of your baby to go to the toilet, do not wait and take them to the washroom fast. The early signs to notice before taking the baby to the toilet can be squatting, holding the genitalia, or just turning red by pushing.
Be thankful to the kid when he/she takes you with them to the toilet. Also, keep the baby in loose-fitting clothes that are easily removable.
Take Care of Hygiene
Make the baby learn to wash their hands after using the toilet so that they can stay away from the germs and keep their bladder and vagina healthy. And I think this is the best part of the answer to how to potty train a child. Also with that, make sure that you make the baby clean the area properly or help them get the area clean by yourself at the start and then leave it entirely on them as time passes.
Wrapping it Up!
Potty training is not an easy job. It requires a lot of attention and energy. So it is okay to take your time and give proper guidance to the kids no matter how long it takes. If the child is resisting then using the potty chair or taking them forcefully to the washroom will not be fair to them. So, the best trick is not to force and work as time passes.
In case you feel difficulty while training or if you need help, then make sure to visit the best pediatrician near you by visiting Healthwire.pk.
