How Do You
Know When It Is The Right Time To Potty Train?
How To Avoid "Fear of the Toilet"
Are you in a hurry to potty train? Or do you enjoy the diaper changing
stages of your child’s life? When making this decision one needs
to consider their child’s development, are they physically and mentally
ready? What about the parents’ demanding life style? Are you rushing
to potty train for your own personal reasons?
Be Certain Your Child Is Ready
Don't begin potty training until your child shows signs that he or she
is ready. Every child is different. Some children develop earlier than
others and some just need a little more time. Remember needing more time
does not mean they are slow; children develop at different times. Potty
training typically begins somewhere between the ages of 18 months to 3
years old.
Your Child’s Age Will Affect Their Bladder Control
If you are on of the parents that want your child to be off diapers and
fully potty trained between 18 months and 2 years old here are a few suggestions:
Try not to push them. You don’t want them to find potty training unpleasant.
Try making it enjoyable maybe using a treasure box as reward. Also keep
in mind that children do not have bladder control until at least 13 months
of age so consider that some bladders may develop later than others. Another
thing to consider is traveling with a toddler who is trained. The earlier
they are trained the harder it is for them to hold it. You might not make
it in time to pull over when in the car. Or, when shopping trying to get
to the restroom in time can be the difference between wet pants and dry
pants. Children who are potty trained later usually have better bladder
control.
Potty Training When They Are Older – Important Reminders
If you are a parent that enjoys the diaper stages here are a few suggestions
you might want to consider: Do you have to go back to work before they are
3? If so you need to check into day cares and see what their requirements
are for children who are or are not potty trained. Most preschools will
charge more for children who are not potty trained. To avoid this charge
try having them trained by 2 ½ years of age. You might also want
to consider the cost of diapers;
if they are not trained until 3 ½ or 4 that is a couple of year’s
worth of diapers, which can add up. Bigger diaper bags will also be a necessity.
Wait Until Your Child Is Ready – Avoid “Fear of the
Toilet”
The theory is to not try to potty train until 2, 2 ½ this way the
children are not terrified of the toilet, have a better concept and have
better control of their bladders. Again try to wait until your child is
ready or start slowly not waiting too long, but not with insensitive force.
There is also another new wave out there called infant potty training. We
don’t necessarily suggest this because children/babies don’t
have control of their bladder until around 13 months of age. They also need
time to be babies and parents need that time/stage with their children.
Start at a time when you can spend a lot of time with your child, when your
child seems complacent, happy and there are no major distractions or traumatic
events in his/her life (new sibling, divorce, moving, new caretaker etc.).
Trying different potty positions until your child is comfortable will make
this time more pleasurable for both parent and baby.
All of this said, do keep in mind that you want to enjoy the youth of
your child. You want it to be a joyous and memorable time. Remember, you
know your child better than anyone else and you know what will work best
for the both of you.
