Potty Training? Is Your Toddler Ready? Part 2 of 3

Indications of When Your Toddler is Ready & Potty Training Expectations



Is your toddler ready? Read the list below to help make that decision:

•   he remains dry for longer periods of time

•   he tells you he is wet or needs the diaper changed

•   he can pull clothes down and up

•   he shows strong interest

•   he has good language development as he will need to tell you if he needs to go

Indications that you the parent(s) and child care provider are ready:

•   You had an opportunity to introduce
the potty to your toddler at home, first. Letting him explore and play with it, letting him sit down with or without pants on etc. The port-a-potty is first introduced and gradually used as an attachment on the toilet seat. (No pressure introducing only)

•   Have your toddler try cloth training underwear/pants with plastic cover (optional) a week before starting at child care. This is so he will feel comfortable wearing them in child care. The plastic covers may not be necessary if he is usually dry for a long period of time (three to four hours).

•   Your toddler is willing to go on the “big potty” (toilet) with a training seat attachment. Practice this at home. Note for providers: The Arizona Department of Health Services does not allow port-a-potties in child care; however, your state may have different regulations regarding potty training.

•   Both the parent(s) and your toddler are willing to go without diapers or pull-ups for 10 days. (Nap-time and night-time can be an exception) This might mean staying home with your toddler more often than usual for this trail period.

•   Have supplies ready:

a) Potty seat attached on toilet seat (one might be supplied in child care).

b) Ample amount of training underwear/pants.

c) Ample amount of plastic covers (if necessary)

d) Loose fitting clothes. This is so your toddler could pull down and up clothes by himself.

•   The parent(s) do not know of any major changes in your toddler’s routine in the next couple of months like moving, traveling, parent(s) or provider out of town, new baby etc.

What’s to be expected?

Potty training should be a positive experience. It should take only a short period of time, if your toddler is ready. Potty training is as individual as learning to walk. There is no right age by which all should be using the toilet. I find it best to wait until around age 2 and after your toddler practiced at home a couple months before.

It’s my suggestion to try potty training with your toddler for 10 days. If he is in child care, sit with your child care provider to ask what her policy is and if she is willing to try a 10 day trail period.

If your toddler shows no interest, is fearful, or has too many accidents, he can always go back to wearing diapers or pull-ups until you (and your provider) decide together that your toddler is ready to try again.

Here is a list of helpful hints in ways you and your provider can work together to minimize frustration and maximize success. Of course, encourage your toddler, and continue the process at home.

•   Have your toddler wear loose fitting clothing he could manage independently, such as elastic waist pants that are easy to pull up and down. It might not be a good idea to dress him in overalls or T-shirts with snaps between legs. Dresses are also not a good idea because your toddler would have a difficult time seeing in order to pull down underwear/pants. For the first few days in child care, the provider could have him wear just the training underwear/pants and plastic cover along with a top or shirt.

•   Bring an ample supply of training underwear/pants and plastic covers (if necessary).

•   Bring a set of extra clothes, socks and if possible an extra pair of shoes.

•   Have your toddler start wearing underwear with plastic cover at home for a little while each day the week before he starts training at child care.

•   It’s best to be consistent in continuing potty training at home having your toddler wear underwear rather than diapers or pull-ups. Pull-ups are similar to diapers and it might confuse your toddler. It's my suggestion to use Pull-ups during nap-time if you are concerned about wetting. If you feel it is necessary, have him wear a pull-up or diaper at night.

•   Communicate with your child care provider what word phrases work like; “Let’s go potty now,” (or whatever term you find works). It’s suggested to take your toddler to the potty every 30-45 minutes the first week and maybe go longer durations in the second week. If your toddler is staying dry after a couple of weeks, change it up and encourage him to tell you when he needs to go potty.

•   I find it works best to have your toddler sit at the potty for no more than 5 minutes. It’s a good idea to have some fun books for him to look at while waiting nearby. Looking at books might help him to relax. (Boys usually start off with sitting until he is tall enough to stand)

•   I suggest to use flushable wipes which are sold at grocery stores or anywhere that toiletries are sold

•   I always encourage hand washing after the use of the potty.

•   Toddlers love rewards like stickers for their efforts.

Part 3 of Potty Training ~ Next steps if everyone involved is ready for the fun process of potty training in 10 days.

I hope my suggestions will help minimize frustration and maximize success with potty training,

*Iva

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