Terrific Toddler Tips
 
strokestrokestrokestroke
Toilet Training
One of the most common toddler question regards toilet training. Let’s look at a few general guidelines.
  1. •Usually begin somewhere between 18 - 30 months of age. I had one trained at 18 months, one at 24 months and one who is finally trained at almost 36 months!
  2. •Start when your child is dry for longer periods of time (2-3 hours), when they show an awareness of the process, and when they can tell you their pants are wet or full.
  3. •Be positive, calm and consistent. If you start, keep going, so do think through your upcoming months to decide if this is the best time for you.
  4. •Day-time training may take three days, three weeks or three months! (I've had one of each!)
  5. •Night-time training may follow soon after day dryness or it may take up to three years. The 'normal ' range is very broad.
  6. •Using 'big girl/boy' pants or towelling training pants is essential for success, as leaving them in nappies in between visits delays the process. Have your child purchase the new pants with you, make it exciting.
  7. •Briefly sitting them on the potty just before bath time for a few weeks can be a good introduction to the training process, and a warm-up to the full day commitment.
  8. •Train at regular times each day, ie after meals and snacks and before naps. This aids bladder control and promotes regularity.
  9. •Reward progressively. At first we give a jellybean (or similar) for simply sitting on the potty or toilet (your choice). After a few days we reward (with two jellybeans) for 'producing' on the potty. After a few more days or weeks we reward (with three jellybeans) for initiating the visits.
  10. •Expect, and accept that there will be accidents. They should be met with a sad 'oh dear' as opposed to an angry retort. Children over three can 'help' with the clean up process, or simply sit with you while you scrub etc.
  11. •If you have an older child (from 3 years on) who will not initiate their bathroom visits for themselves, then have them sit for a time after each accident. Start with 10 mins, then 15, then 20 etc. Be very calm and matter of fact about it, not angry. Reward them for remembering.
  12. •With twins, consider training one before the other to minimize the number of accidents you may initially have each day.
  13. •What is most frustrating to you? One of my children was wet almost every night for six years. Starting each winter morning with two loads of smelly sheets and blankets was extremely frustrating for me. Changing to pull-ups while we continued with reward systems and lots of encouragement was so much nicer for me, and the rest of the family - no more grumpy mum in the morning!
  14. •Regular meal times will promote regular bowel movements. We would read to the child, or allow them to read one book while sitting until a motion was passed.
  15. •Do watch their diet very carefully during this time to ensure all motions are soft, as pain or discomfort in this area can be very distressing for a young one and may delay their training for months.
  16. •If you are concerned in any way do not hesitate to seek medical advice.
  17. •Be encouraged, it will happen eventually and they will be trained by the time they go to school!
Back to Main Site Next Previous