It was a quiet Saturday morning when little Pieter first looked at the potty in amazement It had been standing in the corner of the bathroom for a few days. For his parents, this was an exciting moment, as he was about to take a big step in his young life. Potty training , it may sound like a simple step, but for many parents, this is the beginning of teaching cleanliness. In this blog, you will read what this training entails and when you can start.
What is potty training?
Potty training, also known as toilet training, is a process in which a child learns to go independently to the toilet and no longer needs diapers. In many cases, this training involves a potty or a child's toilet seat to make the transition to the regular toilet easier. This helps children to develop the skills needed to go to the toilet independently . This is an important first step for a child to achieve toilet training.
When is my child ready for potty training?
There is no specific age associated with potty training, this varies for each child. In general, the sensitive period for toilet training occurs after 18 to 20 months. But even this is not a given; some children want to start earlier with the unpleasant bedwetting problem, but there are also children who are not yet ready. That is why it is important to pay close attention to your child and listen.
As long as your child is still afraid or does not feel the need to start training, it is important to respect this. If children have to do something they don't feel like doing, they will resist. This makes learning skills take longer, including toilet training .
You can recognize several signals that your child is ready to start. Do you recognize your child in one or more of these signals? If you recognize these signals, you can start the training.
- Children who are curious about what happens on the toilet and want to watch and/or ask questions about what happens, often show a willingness to learn themselves.
- Your child can indicate to you, through communication or movements, that they have a wet diaper or that something is wrong.
- Your child will feel that they have a full bladder.
- Children who are independent and can, for example, dress and undress themselves, are often ready to take the next step.
- Your child has dry diapers for a long time.
- Your child no longer wants to wear diapers but wants to wear underwear.
If one or more signals occur and your child wants to start, you know they are ready. So, watch and listen closely to your child.
What do you need for potty training?
Children prefer to urinate sitting down with their feet on the ground. This is also the best position for boys. This allows the child to sit relaxed without feeling the need to push. You can also opt for a seat on top; for children, installing a toilet seat is less pleasant.
Always ensure that the potty is in a pleasant place, agree on this with your child. So he or she also has a say in the potty training . Add a nice toy, a nice cuddly toy, or a book so that it is as relaxing as possible and not too exciting for the child.
In addition to a potty and a positive environment, it is also important to give your child a dose of positive attention . Don't be angry if something doesn't work out or if your child pees next to the potty. Being angry at your child makes them insecure and inhibits them.
How to start potty training?
First, it is important to choose a potty together with your child that your child feels comfortable with. Once your child is used to the potty, you can start placing your child on the potty regularly. Just make sure that the child does not sit on the potty for too long, 2-3 minutes is often enough. Give your child a nice feeling by, for example, reading a piece from a book during these 3 minutes.
There are some guidelines on when it is best to put your baby on the potty. Below are some fixed moments:
- After waking up, this is often the time when children need to urinate.
- After meals and snacks, digestion can stimulate the bladder and bowels.
- Put your child on the potty before going to bed, both in the evening and before naps.
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If there are signs that your child needs to pee or poop, pay attention to signals from your child, such as wiggling, becoming quiet, or moving to a corner.
If you notice these signals, quickly put your baby on the potty.
It is important to remain flexible and adapt to your child's needs. Some children can stay dry longer and need to go to the potty less often, while others need to go to the potty more frequently. Consistency and patience are key to success.
What to do in case of a relapse?
It is not uncommon for your child to have a relapse; a lot can happen in a short time. Therefore, never be angry; show understanding . Make your child feel good and bring back the motivation if necessary.
Important tips for potty training
- Provide clothes that are easy to take off so that your child can quickly take them off themselves.
- Let your child drink enough; this ensures more opportunities to urinate and thus a faster learning curve.
- Do not use the potty for too long and do not force your child to sit for too long.
- Observation: Go to the toilet with your child so that they know how it works.
- Always remain motivated towards your child.
- Reward your child in between; this increases motivation even more to achieve good results faster.
In summary, potty training is an important step in the development of your child in the area of toilet training. By recognizing the right signals and providing a supportive and stimulating environment, parents can help their children achieve this milestone. With the right tools , an encouraging attitude, and a good schedule, it will be an educational and fun process for your child. Ultimately, the result is not only a step towards toilet training but also towards independence.
