Potty-training
Tips for successfully potty-training your toddler
Many parents can’t wait until their child is potty-trained, at last, no more diapers! Being potty-trained is something your child needs to learn themselves, but of course you can support him/her with that. On this page you will find some tips that can help you with a solution for bedwetting with the help of a successful potty-training.
Start at a quiet moment
Many parents wonder at what age your child can be potty-trained, did you know that this is possible from approximately 18 months? It is very important that you choose a quiet moment to start potty-training, the less stress, the better the result will be.
Vacations are a good time to start potty-training. Because you have fewer obligations, you can easily focus on a good routine which provides more peace and quiet. The calmer the period is, the faster you will see the effect of the potty-training.
Make the potty-training more fun
You have to make potty-training fun to convince your child to sit on a potty. For example, you can choose a fun potty instead of a standard white potty. By being positive in a fun way, you will see that you can motivate your child even better. Buy a nice pee potty and put it in a visible place, for example in the living room. It can also be fun to put the potty in the toilet and pee together.
Be enthusiastic and encourage your child, this way you make it clear to him/her that it is good to pee on the potty. Every child likes to be encouraged and this also works as a nice stimulant.
Don't be too strict
Becoming potty-trained is not done overnight, this is often done by trial and error. So don’t be too strict, it’s normal that your child has a relapse every now and then and still wets his/her pants. Getting angry or punishing him/her is counterproductive, because it causes stress. Take your time and explain again what the potty is meant for so your child can learn from this.
Stay consistent
Routines are very important for children, we often talk about a peeing ritual. Therefore, choose fixed moments such as after sleeping and after eating. These are good moments because your child usually has to go to the toilet. The potty should become the new standard when your child indicates that he needs to pee. Put him on the potty at all times, even when you’ve just gotten comfortable at the dinner table.
It is very important that you monitor this routine, even when your child goes to the daycare center or grandpa & grandma. The fixed moments are very important in order to achieve a good result as soon as possible.
Set a good example
Make no secret of the fact that you go to the toilet yourself. As a parent, you know that your child likes to imitate you, so he will also want to go to the toilet faster when he sees you do it.
You can buy a toilet seat narrower and a step. With the help of these toilet seats (with a smaller opening) your child can sit on the ‘bigger people’s toilet’. They often find this very interesting and so you can continue your training on the toilet instead of on a potty.
Different methods for potty-training
There are many different methods to help your child become potty-trained. Most methods come down to the same thing: communicate clearly with your child, keep a fixed routine and leave the diaper out of it as much as possible. Some methods work with rewards, such as a sticker board, for example with an X number of stickers you can give a present. This motivates your child and keeps it fun to use the potty. Of course you also have the bedwetting alarm methods.
Choose a method that suits your family situation and your child . If you are often at work during the day, choose a method that is less intensive. It may take a little longer before your child is potty-trained, but it is less stressful for you and your child.
Become aware
Once you’ve started potty-training, you can ask if your child needs to pee, keep asking until it is almost annoying. This will teach your toddler to make the connection between the feeling of a full bladder and ‘abdominal pain’ and go to the potty. You can also make your little one aware by making him/her experience that wet pants are annoying. For example, you can put on a pair of underpants under the diaper. This makes your child experience the sensation of wet pants better. The idea behind this is to motivate your little one to become potty-trained. Of course, you don’t have to let him walk around with his wet pants for long, it’s just a matter of your child consciously noticing it.
Be patient
By the time your child is potty-trained, you will probably have changed about 8,000 diapers, as a parent you want to to stop having to do that. Eventually, each child learns to be potty-trained at his or her own pace. There are several methods that promise that your child is potty-trained within a week, but in practice this is often not the case. Every child is unique and it can easily take a few months.
Setbacks are also part of the learning process when your child is potty-trained. If you are worried that it will take a long time, please contact your health care professional or family doctor. Chances are there is nothing serious going on, every child is different and some just take more time to get it.
Always bring spare clothes
‘Accidents’ are part of this process. It would therefore be very inconvenient if that happens when you just left your house. Always make sure you have spare clothing when you are doing potty-training. That way accidents are solved and your child doesn’t have to be ashamed if they didn’t manage to go to the toilet on time.
Schedule some extra toilet visits
When you leave home it is a good idea to always go to the toilet beforehand. Plan extra moments to pee even when you’re not at home. This will reduce the chance of accidents, which will increase your toddler’s self-confidence.