Just For Parents - Potty Training

Potty Training On the Go: The Travel Potty
A travel potty is a potty chair or potty seat for out-and-about pottying. Is it absolutely necessary to have one? That depends... Read More

Getting Started with Potty Training

Your child will most likely be ready for potty training between the ages of 18-24 months. This age range usually coincides with a stage of strong oppositionality though, so you may want to wait until your toddler has passed this stage and is a little older before starting to potty train. Typically, girls are potty trained earlier than boys. It generally takes 2 to 10 weeks to accomplish potty training, and your child may work on bowel and bladder control at the same time, or one at a time in any order. Bowel control is usually easier to master than bladder control.

Here are some key indicators to help you figure out when you should start potty training your child:

Your child cares whether his or her diaper is clean
Your child understands what a potty or toilet is for
Your child can receognize the feeling of a full bladder or the need to have a bowel movement
Your child can temporarily postpone urinating or having a bowel movement
Your child can sit on a potty chair or toilet
Your child is in a relatively positive stage of life

It is important for you to remember that children have control over their bodies. You should not try to control, scold, or chastise your child about their toilet training. You need to keep a sense of humor and be patient. If your child is resisting, then you should probably back off for a little while and try again later. When your child feels rewarded and in control, success will usually follow. You should start by rewarding your child for producing in a potty or toilet. Eventually, when your child has learned to use the potty, the rewards should shift to when your child is clean and dry.

There are several types of potty training programs to choose from. Some programs, known as behavioral training programs, require a lot of parent intervention and guidance and can be quite structured in its approach. Other programs are more child-centered and relaxed, and these programs allow the child to lead the path to potty training, regardless of how long it takes. Generally, the parent-guided behavioral training programs product the quickest results, but they are also associated with an increased risk of potty training problems, especially if the program is not implemented correctly. The child centered programs generally take a little longer because they allow the child to lead the process. This typically takes time, but decreases resistance and potential potty training difficulties. Regardless of which program you choose, eventually most children will learn how to use the toilet, even without actual training.

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