How and when to start using the potty with children

Toilet training can be really stressful for many parents, but it doesn’t have to be. This process must be something natural and therefore there should be no stress, it is something evolutionary and maturing that children learn by themselves. Parents just need to watch out for signs that their children are ready and in less than five days, all or almost all children who are really ready will be able to put off the diaper and start using the potty.

WHEN TO START USING THE POTTY?

The urinal or toilet begins to be used as soon as children begin to have toilet training. Children learn to tell when they need to pee or poop at different ages. In general, signs that your child is ready to go to the potty or toilet appear around 24 months of age , although there are children who can show signs at 18 months. It should also be said that there are children who can even start using it after 36 months and that absolutely nothing happens, each child is different and you have to respect their rhythms.

Before starting to use the potty or toilet, it will be necessary to establish a routine with your child, in this way the new activity of using the toilet or urinal will not be difficult and will simply continue within their normal routine . Likewise, you need to take into account some signs to know if it is really ready or not. Some of these signs are:

– He is becoming more independent in carrying out tasks.

– Is interested in going to the bathroom when others use it too.

– He is interested in accompanying you to the bathroom and seeing what you are doing.

– Has dry diapers for up to two hours (is able to store pee in his bladder).

– Shows or tells you when he is pooping or peeing in the diaper (if he tells you before it happens, it is a clear sign that he is ready to go to the bathroom).

– You begin to refuse to use the diaper because you realize that it is wet or dirty.

– He usually always poops at the same time.

– Able to pull on and off pants and underwear.

– You can follow simple instructions.

– Is able to have an understanding of the things that happen around him

It is important to note that not all of these symptoms should be present when a child is ready to put down diapers and go to the potty. The behavior of your most general child will be the one that tells you if he is really ready or not, but it is important that you be attentive and that you keep in mind that it is a natural process, it is not convenient to remove the diapers early just because you think that He is already at the right age.

IS THE USE OF THE URINAL ESSENTIAL?

There are children who use the potty and do very well, but others prefer to use the toilet directly. You will have to respect your child’s decision and not force him to use the potty if he really does not want to use it. It allows you to use the toilet and feel more comfortable in its use.

Also, there are children who use the toilet with an adapter the first few times, but then get tired of it and prefer to use the toilet as we adults use it, without an adapter. Respect their decision, it is very important for good toilet training that you respect their needs and that they learn to use the urinal and toilet correctly without feelings of pressure or discomfort.

PREPARING TO USE THE POTTY

When your child begins to use the potty, it is necessary to choose a day (better weekend) where you do not plan to go out so that you can put your child on the toilet or potty every 40 minutes to relieve himself. If you have to go out, the ideal is that you take changes to change him in case he does it on him, and most importantly: never get angry or recriminate him if he has peed or pooped on him. He needs your support and understanding, the last thing he needs to learn to use the toilet or urinal is for you to get mad at him.

When you have decided when to start using the toilet or urinal, you should make sure that you have everything you need to get started (urinal adapter, urinal, toilet adapter, etc.). You will need to find out your child’s preferences to encourage using the toilet or urinal depending on how he or she is most comfortable.

You can read a story with your child about toilet training or watch an animated chapter on this topic. There are fun and enjoyable children’s books for your child to identify with in the early stages of toilet training . When it is time to start using the potty you should:

– Look for signs to know that your child is ready.

– Introduce and explain what the potty is, which will allow your child to try it out and become familiar with it.

– Let your child watch others when they use the toilet or urinal and explain what they are doing and why.

– Start wearing pants that are easy to remove and put on.

– Teach your child some associated words to go to the bathroom such as: ‘pee’, ‘poop’, ‘go to the toilet’.

– If you start using the potty, do it for both pee and poop and both indoors and outdoors.

DON’T PUT AWAY ALL THE DIAPERS

But even if your child has learned to use the potty or toilet, it is necessary that you do not throw away the diapers because you will need them for the night. Children take longer to control their toilet bowls at night and at least wait a week of dry diapers in bed to remove them completely.