Potty Training Tips
I had very different experiences with both my children when Potty Training them. But, there were certain things that were helpful with both of them! Below are my top tips for Potty Training your child.
- Make a BIG deal out of each potty achievement!!
- Pick a fun Potty chair
- Help them learn how to take down their own pants ( pulling up takes more time to learn, but is good to encourage)
- Many kids like to take their pants and underwear totally off when learning to use the potty, I know it’s a pain, but, let them.
- Let them pick out some books or toys to have next to the potty while they sit. Sometimes they don’t know when they need to go-so good to get them sitting for a while so they have success
- Put them on the potty right after they wake up and a little bit after a drink when they are first learning to help them have success.
- Offer a reward each time they go like m&m’s (that worked for me and many other mom’s I know). If you aren’t comfortable offering something that sugary, do something your child loves each time or give them a special treat whatever that is in your family.
- Use Pull ups when they are first learning-so they can pull them down like underwear-make a big deal about the pull ups-being a big kid thing!
- Once they are starting to get the idea of when they need to pee pee or poop and are consistently doing it-take away the pull ups! Otherwise they rely on it! I know it’s a pain-but I found that was the quickest way to get them to learn. Don’t do this until you see they are consistently understanding when they need to go to the bathroom and have control over it. I don’t recommend pushing them too quickly
- Once you are ready to give them underwear, have them pick out some fun underwear that they like-there are some great girls themed underwear and boy themed underwear! Make a big deal out of it and get Lots of extra pairs, you will probably need it!!
- Carry 4 extra pairs of underwear and clothes where ever you go when you first venture beyond the house with out pull ups!! This way you are prepared if their is an accident!!
- Have a TRAVEL Potty for when you are on the go!! I always had the baby bjorn travel potty in the back of my car or in the basket of the stroller at all times!!
- Read books about potty training with them.
- Have a potty training chart, let them work towards earning something better.
- Follow your child’s lead!! It’s ok to push a little when you know they are really ready, but don’t push to much. They are not always ready when we want them to be!! You will know if it seems they know before they are actually going that they need to go, that is the key. Until they know their body, it is very hard to potty train them. Once they do, then you are good to go!!
Please share your tips below! or comment on some of the ideas in this post!
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I actually had to use the training pants (cotton on the inside and plastic on the outside) more than the pull ups because my kids were so comfortable with the pull ups and my goal was for them NOT to feel comfortable when they didn’t use the potty.
I also established certain times at night when I would wake up and carry them to the bathroom so they could go potty, and not wet the bed.
Both my girls got potty trained by 1.5 years old
I wish I had your tips handy when I was still training them.
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Hello Onno,
You are a very devoted and wonderful mother. All three of my boys were potty trained within weeks of their third birthdays, strange but true.
I never forced it but encouraged it. They kept their diapers on at night for a few months but gradually they didn’t want them anymore.
Had to change a lot of sheets, still do for that matter (only with the younger ones).
Nice to read your posts!
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The one thing I learned about Potty Training is to be patient and wait till your child is ready. Some will have no problem potty training at two, while other children will not be ready until five. Know your child and don’t force the issue.
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Cherrie-that’s amazing- 1 and a half!! Great idea to wake them up. The plastic pants are definitely better then pull ups- you are right-they are too comfortable in them!
Jillian-I have had many sheets to change as well!! Finally in the past few months I really haven’t had too! they learn eventually.
Nikki-Great advice!! Patience is the best way to encourage potty training! You don’t want to push to hard because it can become a control issue! gentle encouragement and patience is best in my opinion!
When the suitable age for toddler to start potty training ??
Nice tips by the way …. I’ll use it for my son
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We have been working on the potty for some time. I am not pushing the issue, just letting her feel more and more comfortable about the experience. It is hard for kids, when they have significant speech delays. We are working on the “sign” for potty right now. That will probably help.
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My son will be 2 May 19th. He idolizes my boyfriend (which I love since his biological father hasn’t seen him in over a year) and copies everything he does. When “daddy” (that’s what he calls him (=) goes to bathroom Aiden has to follow. He has definitely shown a great interest in the potty. He gets excited when we put him on it, he pees in it every time and we always praise him. But we are still having a few problems. I try to keep an eye on his peeing and pooping times although they change very often which makes it hard because he hasnt shown that he understands that “feeling” of having to go. He also hasnt pooped on the potty yet. He tries because we can hear him pass gas but nothing else comes out. We don’t want to push him so we are trying to be patient. Also, we have a BIG problem with him taking off his diaper and either peeing or pooping on the carpet. I’m going to try to use some of the tips you’ve all put in because they seemed to have work for other children. Does anyone have any other tips besides us being patient? Thank you!!
These tips are really very informative for new moms. But there one thing which is still stuck in my mind that what is the best age for this training?
I believe it really depends on your child. The key is to follow their cues.
Thank you so much for the tips. My little man happily pees every time he uses the potty. The problem is that he doesn’t NOT pee when his is not on the potty. Jeese!
This is very important for young parents and they are supposed to learn all this. The child upbringing is very critical issue and potty training is one of them.
Some great tips! I agree not all kids will train the same way – my daughter loved stickers on a chart, my son has a sweet tooth, so M&M’s are great rewards.
These are indeed very good tips for kids. I guess my 3 years old john need this training lolzz.
He can’t read properly, but don’t worry i will read this and am sure he must listen it with interest.
Thanks
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