Potty training a child can be frustrating, but you and your child will be happy after he starts using a grown-up potty. However, before you start, you need to make sure your child is ready to begin potty training. Once he is, you should start by getting him used to sitting on a grown-up potty, and then setting a schedule for him to teach him. As he learns to use the potty, you should fill him with praise and rewards as a way to keep him motivated.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Make sure your child is ready
Step 1. Keep in mind that your child should be ready between the ages of 2 1/2 and 4 years
Most young children are ready to begin potty training around 3 years old. Keep in mind that there is no "official" age to start potty training and, therefore, it is best to be guided by your child as much as possible.
Some children can be very stubborn, so you may need to encourage your child to begin potty training if they are old enough to be a problem in kindergarten or daycare
Tip:
starting potty training before he is ready will simply extend the time it takes him to learn.
Step 2. See if your child stays dry for at least 2 hours when napping
Check the diaper to see if it is dry. If so, this shows that your muscles are strong enough to hold urine. This is not the case in babies. Since your child will not be able to learn to go to the bathroom until he is able to control his bladder, it is important that you wait until you know that he can stay dry.
If your child doesn't stay dry, he may not be able to hold the urine yet, which is perfectly normal. However, you shouldn't start potty training yet
Step 3. Make sure that he urinates all at once and not in small amounts
Younger children may leak a little urine at a time until their muscles are strong enough to hold. If your toddler keeps wetting his diaper a little at a time, he won't be ready to potty-train. However, if you wet the diaper all at once, it may be done.
You can check your child several times to see if he is wet but has not soaked the diaper. In case you stay dry for around 2 hours and then soak the diaper, you might be ready to potty train
Step 4. See that your child has predictable bowel movements
For example, your child may have a bowel movement after breakfast or at night. If you can wait for his bowel movements, it could be that he is ready to potty train.
If your child has bowel movements at random times of the day, it will be more difficult for you to teach him to go to the bathroom because it will not be easy to stick to a schedule
Step 5. Pay attention to whether your child is able to remain still for at least 5 minutes
In case he can't, he will have a hard time using the potty, as you don't want him to jump in the middle of urinating or having a bowel movement.
In case he has a hard time sitting still, you can help him develop this skill first. Ask him to stay still while they play a game and give him a reward or praise him as a reward when he does
Step 6. Be careful that it is possible to get your pants on and off
This is a practical matter, as it will be difficult for your child to use the potty if he cannot pull his pants down and then pull them back up.
Dressing him in bottoms with elastic bands will help while he's potty training
Step 7. Pay attention to see if he doesn't like wearing a dirty diaper
As your child grows older, they will no longer want to wear the diaper when it is wet, which is a great sign. Talk to him about potty training and how this can help him feel more comfortable.
For example, you may find that she takes her diaper off or asks you to change it
Method 2 of 4: Get him used to the potty
Step 1. Buy a potty that your child is comfortable with
Let him help you choose it. This way, you will be more likely to use it. Then take care that he can comfortably sit on it so that he is not afraid to use it.
- You can get a potty for your child at a department store, a children's store, or online.
- You can buy a potty in a fun color or theme that your child will like, if you like. This may encourage you to want to use it more. For example, you could look for a blue or Thomas the Engine potty.
- The potty may come with a urine barrier to prevent splashing, although this could also hurt your son's penis. Therefore, you must be careful to choose a model that is comfortable for you. You could opt for a removable urine barrier so you can try both ways.
Tip:
Many children are scared to use the regular toilet, as they do not feel stable and fear falling into it. Therefore, you should choose a potty that he can sit on comfortably and his feet touch the floor.
Step 2. Let your child sit on the potty with clothes at first
This helps him feel more comfortable sitting on the toilet. Treating the potty like a fun addition to the house will make your child more likely to be open-minded about it.
Give her 1 to 2 weeks to get used to the potty before you start potty training
Step 3. Give your child toys that he can play with while on the potty in a way that is fun for him
Pick a toy that works for your child, whether it's his favorite toy or a hidden supply of bath toys. You can even let him choose the toy. The important thing is that you treat the potty as something fun and not scary.
For example, you could turn an old baby wipe container into a small box of bath toys and then put a few special objects inside that your child can play with during potty times (for example, a small picture book, a fire truck, and a doll)
Step 4. Let him observe how his parent or guardian uses the potty
This will help you understand how it works. Let him ask you questions and be as honest as you can with him. If you are curious as to how to use the potty, you will be more open to learning how to use it.
- Because children learn by imitating their parents or guardians, this is the best way to start potty training.
- In case he is interested in using the potty, you should let him give it a try. However, avoid trying to force him to try, as this will scare him.
Method 3 of 4: Get Started with the Teaching Routine
Step 1. Pick a time when you can focus on potty training
Avoid trying to potty train your child while dealing with other highly stressful events (such as a move). Your child needs to know exactly what to expect in the first two weeks or so so that he doesn't get overwhelmed. Before you start, be careful that you can stick to their teaching schedule.
Tip:
If you want to make sure your teaching schedule is consistent, you can take the potty with you when you're traveling so your child can sit on it during designated times.
Step 2. Teach your child to use the potty sitting down at first
This will be much easier for you, and it will also help you feel comfortable using the potty. Teach or explain how to position the penis when sitting so that it does not hit the seat or the splash barrier, if present. When sitting, the penis should be pointing down into the potty.
- In case your son is not circumcised, you should not worry that the foreskin will interfere, since the foreskin of a boy is fused with the head of the penis until puberty. For this reason, you shouldn't try to push it back. You also shouldn't teach your son to pull on the foreskin, as this could hurt or cause pain.
- When your child is ready, teach him to pee standing up by asking him to point to a sticker or a few pieces of cereal at the bottom of the bowl. However, avoid rushing him into transitioning too quickly.
Step 3. Put your child on the potty for 5 minutes every 2 hours
The teaching schedule should start first thing in the morning, right after your child wakes up. Then you should take him to the bathroom every 2 hours and right after naps. Sit down with your child so that potty time is fun. When 5 minutes have passed, you should let him stand up even if he hasn't used the potty yet.
- While he's on the potty, you can sing songs to him or play with him as a way to keep him relaxed.
- There is no problem with not using the potty.
Step 4. Encourage your child to use the potty by giving him some "naked time."
Spending time naked eliminates the safety of wearing a diaper or underwear. In this way, you encourage your child to choose between urinating or defecating on himself or using the potty. Remind him to sit on the potty often and take him there in case he signals to go to the bathroom (for example, holding onto his penis and jumping around).
- It is best to do it in a room with a tile floor or spread a plastic sheet, since your child could have an accident.
- Make sure the potty is in the room where your child is playing so that it can be accessed easily.
Step 5. Start potty training at night after he stays dry all day
However, keep in mind that for some children, it is normal for them to wet the bed until they are 10 years old. If you want to determine if your child might be ready to potty train at night, you can check the diaper in the morning and see if it is dry. If he appears to be dry most mornings, you can talk to him about switching to underwear. Otherwise, you should give your body more time to prepare.
- If your child wets the bed, his bladder may not be able to hold the urine throughout the night, which is completely normal. However, if you are concerned, you can discuss it with your doctor.
- If your child really wants to wear underwear but has accidents, you can try disposable training pants to transition from diapers to underwear.
- You can reduce the risk of bedwetting by reducing the amount of fluids your child consumes after 5:00 p.m. m. However, if he is thirsty, you should let him drink water.
Method 4 of 4: Keep You Motivated
Step 1. Celebrate all his little successes to keep him going
Every stage of potty training is a milestone, from learning to sit on the potty to transitioning to a toilet. Show your child that you are proud of him by praising him and giving him hugs and trinkets that show him that he is doing an excellent job.
When she's fully mastered going to the bathroom, you could throw her a little party, letting her get rid of her diapers in addition to celebrating. If you have younger children who are still wearing diapers, your child may like to give them their old diapers as a "gift." For example, as part of the celebration that he is now a big boy, you could give your younger brother or cousin diapers
Step 2. Focus on the positive and not the negative
Potty training your child can be stressful not only for him but for you as well. If it seems to him that you are angry with him or if he is ashamed of himself, he will be less likely to be successful. Don't yell at him or point out his mistakes but instead celebrate his successes. Recognize good potty behaviors and tell him you want to see more of it.
For example, you could say, "Mommy saw you did an excellent job using the potty! Very good!" or "Daddy is so proud of you for using the potty!"
Step 3. Buy fun underwear so your child wants to wear it
Get underwear that has your child's favorite characters. Let him choose her, if possible, which will encourage him to work hard at potty training, as he will want to wear his special underwear.
Show enthusiasm when shopping for underwear so that he is excited too. You could say, "Great! It's Spider-Man! Do you want to wear these Spider-Man underwear?"
Step 4. Reward him for using the potty
You can reward him with a piece of candy, a sticker, or a small toy. What you choose should be something that your child likes to receive but is not too expensive. A good idea is to put the rewards in a basket so that your child is excited about choosing something.
Another option is to hang up a potty training calendar and let your child stick a sticker on each day that he does not have an accident
Advice
- As long as your child is potty training for the first time, you should teach him to sit up both to urinate and to defecate in a way that is easier for him to learn. When you're ready, you can transition to standing up to urinate.
- Buy fun underwear so your child will be excited about transitioning into a big boy setting.
- Avoid getting mad at your child if he has an accident. This is a normal part of potty training. If you get angry, this will only discourage him more.
- It is normal for some children to take longer to potty train than others. Therefore, you should not rush your child or assume that something is wrong. He follows his own schedule.
Warnings
- Don't use the phrase "big boy" in a negative way to embarrass your child. For example, avoid saying "Big kids don't wet the bed" or "I thought you were a big boy but I guess you're just a baby." This is never okay, as it will hurt and discourage your child a lot.
- If you get angry at your child while he is potty training, this will make him afraid of the potty. Be patient with him, as this is a difficult transition for many children.