How to Potty Train a Toddler

Potty training is a task every parent has to go through. Have you ever wondered what is the best way on how to potty train a toddler. Although some may disagree, as long as you're consistent in what you teach and your expectations, I don't think there is is a best method. In describing the methods, one method is called the infant method. In this method, the parent stays in tune with when the infant needs to eliminate and the infant is held over the toilet when he or she needs to eliminate.

Another method is called "practice until you get it right." This is the method most parents in the United States use. When the child is ready to be toilet-trained, you encourage them to use the toilet and reward them when they are successful.

Dr. Phil has a one-day training method. In this method, they use a doll to demonstrate what to to do. Another method waits until the child is ready shows interest in potty training. Since I don't personally know anyone that has used this method, I looked at the reviews on potty training dolls at Amazon. While some parents used dolls to potty train and actually had success, most parents gave the dolls as a toy to their child. On some of the dolls, you actually have to give the it baby food and bottles of water. Some parents reported it being very messy, and the food would get stuck in the doll if a bottle of water was not given after the food. To me, it seems like it would be alot of bother. Other than the parent demonstating what to do with the doll initially, the child essentially trains themselves. Although this method may be the least time consuming, it can take a long time for the child to master.

The last method is called "The Naked and $75 Method. In this method, the parent allows the child to run around naked for three to five days with a potty chair available all of the time. Although this method is quick, it can be messy, and most doctors do not support it. The $75.00 is for the cost of cleaning the carpet when the training is done. My mom used this method with my brother. Since my brothers were only a year apart, she potty trained them at the same time. She confined both of them to the kitchen which had linoleum. Although it was a long time ago, she doesn't remember any problems, and they were mostly potty trained after the period of potty training was done.

If you're a first-time parent, and you're at this website, you probaby have alot of questions about how to potty train your child. Perhaps, your first question is when should I begin potty training? Potty training usually begins between the ages of 18 and 36 months. Before you can successfully potty train your child, he or she needs to have physiological development; motor skills; cognitive and verbal skills; and emotional growth and social awareness. Without these skills, it is senseless to begin potty training since it will take much longer. Consequently, it is better to wait until they have developed the skills needed. Some of the signs they are ready for potty training are:

• No bowel movements at night and the ability to stay dry for at least two hours. Before potty training can begin, a child needs to have contol of their sphincter muscles. Pediatricians say elimation muscles usually reach maturity somewhere between 12 to 24 months with the average being around 18 months. Before this age, the child doesn't recognize the sensation of having a full bladder or rectum. Night time bowel control is usually mastered first whereas night time bladder control is mastered last.
• Having regular bowel movements
• Being able to follow instructions - Your child needs to have the cognitive development to follow instructions, understand explanations, and concentrate.
• Dislike of dirty diapers
• Asking to be changed
• Asking to use the potty chair or wear regular underwear - Another factor in successful potty training is emotional and social maturity. Your child needs the desire to emulate and be like others, the desire for approval from others, and the desire for self-mastery.
• Ability to pull down and pull up pants - Finger and hand control coordination need to be developed too. When they can start dressing and undressing themselves, they usually have the skills to pull down and pull up their pants.  

One common question many parents wonder is whether it is more difficult to potty train a girl or a boy.

Another question parents commonly have is whether they should have their boy sit down or stand up while potty. Most experts believe girls are easier to potty train than boys, but they don't know why. As for whether to have you little boy stand or sit while urinating, most experts recommend you teach a boy to sit down while potty training. The reason for recommending this is because it is easier to teach them to sit down for both urination and bowel elimination. After they master potty training, you can teach them to stand while urinating.

Potty chairs are either stand alone potty chairs or they can fit over the toilet seat. Although a child may enjoy the feeling of having their own potty chair, and a toilet may be harder for them to climb up on; I would rather use a potty chair that fits over the toilet opening. This way you don't have to worry about dumping it, cleaning the chair, or pets getting into it. If you're a dog owner, you will understand this since many pet owners have problems with their dogs getting into the cat litter box.

When you do go to buy a potty chair if your don't have one already, take your child with you. By letting them pick out the potty seat or chair, it might help them develop more interest in potty training.

Anyway, there are several types of potty seats. They include:

• Folding potty seats - If you travel alot, this type of potty seat folds for convenient storage and transport.
• Soft potty seats - Soft potty seats are cushioned for more comfort.
• Flip potty seats - With flip potty seats, there is potty seat on top of a regular toilet seat. When the potty seat is not in use, they can be easily flipped up so the regular toilet seat can be used. When not in use and the seat is down, they look like a regular toilet seat.
• Portable potty seats - Portable potty seats are usually a one piece plastic unit that fits over the toilet seat.
• Potty chair - This is a stand alone potty chair designed for little ones.

If you have a boy, make sure the seat or chair comes with a splash guard.

The first step in potty training is to get your child comfortable using the potty chair. Put the potty chair in the bathroom. Encourage them to sit on it with their pants on of off initially. Let them see you dump the contents of a dirty diaper in the potty chair so they understand the potty chair's use. Let them watch members of their sex using the toilet so they can emulate them.

If the child has the skills for potty training, alot of potty training is dependent upon timing and reinforcement.

• At certain times they are more apt to go than others. Optimal toileting times are first thing in the morning, after naps, after eating, after drinking, before a bath, before bed, and after they have had an accident.
• Be on the watch for signs your child may have to go. These signs include: squirming, holding the genital area, and squatting.
• If the child has an accident, no discipline is necessary. However, toilet the child, and if they had a bowel movement accident, make sure they see you dump the bowel movement in the toilet. As you're dumping the bowel movement in the toilet, tell them that is where the poop or whatever your child calls it goes.
• When you toilet your child, if you make psss sounds and run the water at a trickling pace, it may help them go more easily.
• When the child does eliminate in the toilet, praise them, but don't overdo it.

When your potty training your child, don't forget the importance of teaching them how to wash their hands thoroughly after they use the restroom. Another important thing to remember is when you're potty training a girl, there is a proper way to wipe. Wiping should be done from front to back. Otherwise, fecal bacteria can contiminate the vaginal tract and cause infections.

Through trial and error, many parents have discovered tips to make potty training easier. Some of these tips are:

• Dress your child for easier potty training, dresses are easier for girls to manipulate while elasticized shorts or pants without zippers or buttons are easier for boys.
• Read your child entertaining books about potty training to reinforce the concepts.
• While you son is taking a bath, ask him to urinate in a cup. This teaches him to keep his flow of urine within a defined perimeter.
• With a crayon, draw a circle at the bottom of the toilet and ask him to urinate within that circle.
• To avoid accidents on the furniture, place a rubber-backed rub where they usually sit.
• Make potty training fun. Sing potty training songs with your child. You can find potty songs in the products below.

You know what your child likes better than anyone else so the rewards can be anything you think will positively reinforce their good behavior. Some parents like to use charts and stickers for rewards. Other parents will buy new training underwear which are appealing to children. If the child elimates in the toilet, he or she can wear the new training pants as a reward rather than the diaper.