POTTY TRAINING. These two words can hold so much fear and trepidation. But rest assured, once successful the experience is exciting and rewarding as your little one reaches this milestone of independence.
There are many tips and strategies that you can consider when potty training your little one, but how and when to potty train depends entirely on what works best for you and your child.
Here are some potty training tips to help you navigate through this milestone like a pro!
Top Tips For Your First Potty Training Saga
1. Make sure they are ready!!
Kids are generally not ready to potty train before the age of 2, and some children may wait until 3 1/2. It’s important to remember not to push your child before they are ready and to be patient. Remember that all kids are different.
2. Watch for the signs of readiness:
When they are ready they will start showing interest in the potty and be more aware of their own bowel movements, maybe even show that they are uncomfortable in their nappy when it’s dirty.
3. Get them excited about the potty:
Talk to them about the potty for months before you start training. Let them watch videos and sing songs about using and going to the potty.
4. Get them acquainted with the potty:
Make a big deal out of picking a potty out at the shop; let them choose the one they like. Maybe let them decorate it or play with it with a stuffed animal. Leave it in the bathroom for a few months before you are ready to train.
5. Get a supplies kit together:
Buy your potty training items beforehand. These are some handy supplies to stock on for the school of potty training:
- A potty chart with stickers (you can make your own or buy them),
- Lots of juice boxes and liquids of preference.
- Treats: a potty treat, a few small reward toys,
- Pull Ups or nappy pants.
- big kid underwear,
- Potty training themed media: movies, storybooks, video clips, charts, songs to help potty training.
6. Start at a time when there are no major life changes happening:
This means no new babies or house moves. Your child needs to feel secure enough to transition successfully.
7. Start at a time when you are available:
This can be very tricky to do in our busy world. But it’s so much better if you can dedicate your attention to your child’s potty training. Staying home and not have to go anywhere and risk having lots of messy accidents or stressful situations.
8. Pull out the Pull Ups:
When your child is just starting out on the potty, play it safe with disposable pull-ups. Just like underwear, but in the event of an accident, they absorb like nappies. Using pull-ups also gets them used to the motion of sliding down and pulling up underwear.
9. Avoid problematic foods:
Certain foods seem to aggravate kids’ stomachs and give them diarrhoea. So it’s good to stay away from giving them these foods, especially during potty training.
10. Juice them up:
The first day or two, give them lots to drink. This will provide them with lots of opportunities to go; the more they do it, the more practice they get.
11. Stock up on cleaning supplies:
You will probably be cleaning up a lot of messes. So it’s a good time to stock up on carpet cleaner, bleach, cleaning cloths, wet wipes, sanitizer, disinfectant spray or whichever cleaning supplies you prefer.
12. Set a timer:
Set a timer for any amount of time from 10 to 30 minutes and when the timer goes off, go sit with your child in the bathroom while they try. Expect to wait, the first few times might take forever for it to happen. But just sit and wait, sing songs, talk or read a story; this is good bonding time.
13. Get excited:
When your kid goes potty, shout it out to the rooftops!! “Great job!!” Be overly enthusiastic so they can feel like they are doing a good thing and making you happy.
14. Teach them the whole routine to follow every time:
The routine is simple: potty > flush > wash hands.
There should never be any deviation, this gives them a sense of routine which makes it easier for them to remember.
15. Potty training tips for girls:
For the most part potty training girls is no different from boys, however you will need to teach your girl that they need to wipe after a wee, as well as after a poo. They also need to learn to wipe from front to back. This can reduce the risk of urinary tract infections.
16. Potty training tips for boys:
Boys need to be told to shake off the last drops of wee. Make sure you teach your boy to aim, trying putting some rolled up paper in the toilet as a target.
17. Stick it out:
Once you have decided to begin potty training, consistency is the name of the game. It’s really important to stick to your plan and not to begin training and then revert back to nappies. Remember that this has to be done at some point so no matter how hard it is, it will get easier. All your struggles are worth it in the end!
Starting Your Potty Training Journey
We are not going to lie to you. It’s tough and you going to want to give up! The key to successful potty training is to be patient, experiment with what works and what doesn’t for your child. Remember, each kid is different. Let your child transition and progress naturally through this milestone.
Drypers DryPantz Pull-Ups are the perfect aid to help your child transition from nappies to big kid underwear. They are 100% fully breathable, keeping your toddler’s bottom cool, fresh and comfy. They function just like regular underwear with the added benefit that you’ll be safe from accidents. Have a look at our Drypantz rang here and start your potty training journey with us.
Also From Our Potty Training Series:
To help you with your potty training journey, we recommend the following articles:
- Top 10 Recommended Storybooks To Help With Potty Training
- 10 Cues Your Toddler Is Ready To Start Potty Training
- 9 Signs your Toddler is NOT Ready to Potty Train
