Painless Potty Training

Potty training, unfortunately, comes at a time in life when a child is learning to be more independent. Known as the ‘terrible twos’, your toddler may resist potty training altogether, dirty his or her diaper for spite, act differently about the toilet for different caregivers, and generally cause potty training to be a hassle for parents. However, don’t despair, potty training can still be accomplished even if this is the case, if parents remain calm and understanding and make potty training a fun activity.

First, be sure your child is ready and establish a potty training routine with your child. These two steps are the basis for quick and stress-free potty training. However, many children will still resist, so you are not alone if you are often faced with a screaming child or one who is learning early to talk back. Refusing to potty train can be simply frustrating, or it can have real health consequences if they chose to ‘hold it’ for long periods rather than use the potty. Remember to consult your paediatrician if resistance continues for a long period of time.

Rewarding your child is an appropriate step in the potty training process, and one that will possibly make your child less resistant. Have him or her help choose the prizes. For example, visit the local toy store and purchase some new items that your child may not have until he or she meets certain goals. You may also wish to talk to your child about what he or she cannot do without being potty trained (staying the night at grandma’s, going to school, visiting friends, etc). Motivation is the key to successful potty training.

Talk with your child if he or she is normally well behaved, but extremely resistant to potty training. Perhaps your child is scared of using a potty seat. Have him or her use, instead, a small potty chair and decorate this chair with stickers. Some children, for example, are scared of the flushing noise a larger toilet makes. Wait until your child leaves the room to flush, or have him or her flush the toilet themselves, both when they use it and at other time in the day, simple to get used to the idea. You may also wish to have your child watch while you, older siblings, and family members use the toilet to show your child that it is not scary.

Punishment is appropriate when your child knows that he or she is acting inappropriately. For example, if he or she won’t let your change his or her dirty diaper, even though they have been previously telling you when they have to go, you may wish to punish your child. Also consider punishment for inappropriate behavior such as hitting or throwing temper tantrums.

Punishment is not appropriate for accidents, on the other hand. Remember that your child may simply not know he or she had to use the toilet. Even with older children, accidents sometimes happen, especially with urination during play as they get distracted until it’s too late to make it to the toilet. Try to be understanding about this so that your child does not continue to resist using the toilet.

There are many tools on the market to help make potty training fun. If you make it a fun activity, your child will not be as resistant, and the process will be much faster. Use a variety of games, songs, and activities to teach your child about using the potty and remember that each child is different and will learn toilet use at a different pace.

For more information about knowing when to start potty training and how to counter resistance please visit Painless Potty Training.

Because all of the adults and older children in your child’s life use a toilet, learning this process is something your child will expect to do. He or she may even be looking forward to it! However, without a consistent routine and lots of instruction, potty training can be something that is very difficult for your child to master. It is important to be firm, yet understanding as your child goes through this time of life.

The first step should always be speaking with your child about potty training. When he or she is showing strong signs of being ready to begin potty training, ask your child to tell you when he or she has a wet diaper. Surprisingly, your child may be already able to tell you when it’s time to go—many parents underestimate their toddlers! Don’t worry about forcing your child to use the toilet at first. Get him or her used to the idea with books, videos, games, and other fun activities about the subject.

Many parents find it useful to make a chart showing their child’s progress with potty training. Your child can help you make this colorful and display it in either the family bathroom or the bedroom. Set simple goals at first. For example, mark each time your child tells you he or she needs the bathroom with a star on the chart, and when your child collects 10 stars, reward him or her with a small toy, trip to the park, etc. Set more goals as your child learns to use the toilet—stars for staying dry overnight, stars for successfully using the potty, stars for staying clean all day, etc.

It is very important to be consistent, even when it is difficult for you (during a day of shopping for example). Take your child to the restroom often at first, and have him or her sit on the potty for at least 2 minutes. If he or she does not have to go, try again later. It might be a good idea to purchase a potty chair for at home for your toddler, since the toilet can be intimidating.

You might even consider relocating this chair to his or her bedroom or carrying it with you when you travel. Also be consistent with your praise. Your child needs to know that he or she has accomplished something every time the toilet is successfully used, even if it is becoming routine. Don’t fall into the habit, however, of rewarding your child for things he or she already knows how to do. This will not encourage progress. For example, at first, reward and praise your child for telling you his or her diaper is dirty. Later, when he or she has displayed knowledge of how to use a toilet, reward this behavior but be sure to let your child know that dirtying his or her diaper, even if he or she tells you, is no longer tolerated.

Sticking to a routine is important. There are many educational tools on the market to help you learning potty training techniques, as well as many for your child. Remember that accidents are a part of life, and your child may go through the potty training process very slowly. Set a routine and reward your child in order to help him or her learn to use the bathroom.

For more information about knowing when to start potty training and which method is best for your child please visit Painless Potty Training.

Don’t be surprised if your child quickly learns to resist using the toilet for pooping. Using the toilet for bowel movements can be difficult for a toddler to understand, as well as scary and undesirable. Try to make potty training as easy for your child as possible, even if he or she has a difficult time overcoming resistance to using a toilet for pooping.

First, find out why your child is resisting using the potty for bowel movements. He or she may actually be causing harm to the body by holding it in, but perhaps if the process is painful he or she may find a diaper more comfortable.

Toddlers who are constipated or suffer from diarrhea may find it difficult or embarrassing to use an adult toilet or to use the toilet with an adult present. Talk to your family doctor for advice. Simply changing your child’s diet may make it more comfortable for him or her to go. Mineral oils can be especially useful here and you will find that it is easy to disguise in your child’s drinks or sandwiches. You may also find it useful to have your child take medicine to help the problem. When bowel movements are easier, your child is less likely to resist.

Teaching your child to use the toilet for bowel movements may be difficult in itself. First, try emptying dirty diapers into the toilet. Have your child flush the toilet by his- or herself. Also use dolls and books to learn the process and have your child accompany you and their older relatives to the restroom. Take baby steps that build up to learning to use the toilet for bowel movements.

First, encourage your child to poop in the bathroom, even with a diaper still on. Next, have him or her learn to sit down in the bathroom, on the edge of a bathtub, on a potty chair, on the toilet with the lid down, or even on the floor, still wearing the diaper. The final step is to remove the diaper and have him or her use the toilet for bowl movements, just as adults do. Reward your child as he or she is successful with each step.

It is not uncommon for children to hold their stool, but this can have consequences. Often, a child will hold in the stool because he or she is afraid of using the toilet or simply does not want to stop what he or she is doing to waste time using the bathroom. This can cause discomfort in the abdomen, pain when using the toilet, decreased appetite, and other problems. If your child experiences this, talk to you paediatrician to be sure he or she is not significantly compromising his or her health.

Remember that your child simply may not be ready to use the potty. Resistance to bowel movements on the toilet is very common, but if it continues for a long period of time or results in other problems, you and your child may just need a break. Potty training is a difficult step in a child’s life, but it will happen eventually with a little hard work and understanding, so be sure to give your child support throughout this stage of life.

For more information about knowing when to start potty training and how to overcome resistance please visit Painless Potty Training.