When to Start Potty Training for Babies Guide
One of the biggest questions that a parent must confront is that of potty training. When to start potty training for babies and make that leap from diapers? What are the signs that your child is ready to potty train?
It is really fascinating to note that potty training practices vary greatly around the world. In some societies, babies never wear diapers and their parents just seem to know when they need to void.
In other places, young children up to three or even four years of age continue to wear diapers. When it comes to the right age potty training (and potty training readiness), so much of it has to do with where you live.
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How long does it take to potty train a child
This question really depends on your effort to train a child and how ready he/she is. Depending on your expectations, you should be looking for distinct signs of your child’s readiness to potty train. Potty training can be broken into 2 main phases. The first phase is to simply get your child out of diapers as soon as possible and adjust to using underwear instead.
It is normally recommended to use training pants as they are softer and easier to pull up and down. Check out the different training pants for boys and girls. A child between 18 months – 3 years old should be ready at this phase.
For the second phase, your goal is that your child independently goes to the bathroom and take care of their own needs upon successful potty training, a child between 2.5 years – 4 years should be ready for this phase. It is also important to set up your bathroom to make it fun for them.
Depending on the amount of energy you are willing to invest in potty training and what your ultimate goals are for your potty trained child, you should look for distinct signs that your child is ready to potty train.
Three universal signs of potty training too early
The health status of my child
Does your child suffer from constipation or diarrhoea or chronic loose stools? If so, these are factors that will make potty training initiation difficult and should be discussed with a medical professional.
My child is not stressed
Have you just had a recent move? Have you had a big life change? These events can stress your child. If it has been a stressful time for your family, it might be best to wait to potty train.
A reduced sense of novelty with walking
Your child, when first learning to walk, may be distracted by the novelty of their newfound mobility. This may not be the best time to potty train.
My child is cooperative
Does your child respond well to requests? Are they eager to cooperate or are they in a rebellious phase? If your child’s favourite word is “no” it might not be the best moment to initiate potty training.
Signs your child is ready to potty train
It is important to pick up some cues on when your child is ready to potty train. This will be the best time to train them as they are ready for it and prevent them from overusing the diapers. When your child is older, the below-mentioned signs will be more pronounced and well developed
A desire to do things for themselves
Your child actively shows interest in being independent. This may include feeding themselves, holding their own cup and drinking, picking up toys, or trying to put on their own shoes. Their ability to do these things successfully is not as important as their desire to do them on their own.
A desire to control bladder and bowel movements
You observe that your child will wait to void his bladder or bowels. You may also notice that their diapers can go dry for many hours of usage. They may also express interest in using “big kid” underwear and able to manipulate their own clothing, i.e. pulling their pants up and down.
You can tell by gestures or verbal cues from your child
Babies will often give signs that they need to void their bladder or bowel by making certain faces, seeking out privacy, or by changes in their behavior. Some babies that are able to speak earlier may also inform you verbally they need to pee or poo poo.
Your child imitates you
You observe your child mimicking your behaviors when you are going to the loo. They may also start to be uncomfortable with soiled diapers, asking to be changed or taking their diaper off on their own and wear underwear like you. This is a good chance to introduce them on how to settle their business in the toilet.
Early potty training at 12 months
If you want to potty train your child at a younger age, many of these signs will start to show between 12-18 months of age. When you are ready to make the commitment to potty training at this time, you will most likely find your child to be responsive and willing to learn. However, be prepared for a little extra effort.
At younger ages, it is not likely that your child will be able to go to the bathroom completely independently. Even after successful potty training, they will still need your help to manipulate their clothing and to clean themselves.
Early potty training pros and cons
Early potty training has two primary advantages to potty training an older toddler. The biggest advantage is that you can eliminate that cumbersome diaper bag! This will save you a lot of time and money over the course of a year.
Aside from economics and ease, the other main advantage is that your child will suffer from less diaper rashes and other skin infections and will be less likely to develop urinary tract infections.
Studies have also shown that early potty training correlates to stronger bladder control. As an adult, your child will be less likely to suffer from incontinence.
Potty training for boys
If you have a boy, start off by interchanging him wearing diapers and wearing training pants. Inform him that he cannot pee into the training pants and have to inform you when he wants to pee or poo. This is to let him get used to wearing training pants.
During this transition time, it is easy for incidents to happen where he pees into his training pants or requesting wearing back his diapers. Exercise patience in all these situations as it is part and parcel of potty training and he needs more encouragement from you. The last thing you will want to do is make him afraid to start potty training.
Luckily, nowadays there are some interesting potty training bathroom essentials to make it interesting for him to visit the toilet.
This potty target shown in the image above helps to make potty training interesting for my boy with the bright frog design. He will also learn to take aim at the tongue of the frog which will spin when he pees on it. If he wants to poo, the standard toilet bowl for adults may be too intimidating for him.
He may be afraid that he will fall into it. This potty training seat with ladder will help him to learn how to climb up to the toilet bowl without aid. Alternatively, you can also consider using a potty seat which can convert to removable potty ring in the future.
Potty training for girl
There is not much difference between potty training for girl and boys. Things that differ will be mainly the designs of the potty training essentials used. You definitely would not want to get boyish training pants for your little girl.
This potty seat above will be more suitable for your little girl when she is doing her business in the loo. Regardless of whether you are potty training for boys and girls, do stock up quite a few waterproof mats for the mattress your child is sleeping on. Based on my experience, it is better to get a bigger size piece so that the mattress is protected even when the child is rolling around in bed.
Potty Training Schedule
To build his/her confidence, let your child sleep with training pants during their day nap of 2-3 hours. Before nap, get them to go the toilet first. Also, do this when they woke up. When you are with them during the day, let them put on the training pants and ask them to go pee every 1 to 2 hours.
This is to instil them a habit to start doing their business in the washroom instead of diapers. Ask them to inform you when they have an urge to go to the toilet. Have a rewards system and reward them with a sticker or small gift whenever they do it right.
Once you notice they have not been wetting the bed or have less or no more reliance on diapers, you can start to let them wear training pants to sleep at night. This will require abit more effort from you as the longer duration will increase the chance of wetting bed. Ensure that your child drink little or no water after 8pm.
Make sure they pee or poo before they go to sleep. Set a schedule of waking them up in the middle of the night around 12-1am to pee. Repeat this procedure until your child is able to sleep throughout the night without peeing the bed.
This process seems simple but it will take some effort and patience to complete the potty training. If you plan to bring them on travels while they are still potty training, remember to get a portable potty for travel. (Check out this travel potty which is foldable for easy use and carry)
At what age should a child be fully potty trained
Depending on how much effort you put in and how early you start potty training, a child should be fully potty trained by the age of three to four years old. The advantage of potty training an older toddler is that it tends to be a quicker process. Your child is older and more rational.
They are most likely verbal and can vocalize their needs. They are also more independent. This means that your child, upon successful potty training, should be able to go to the bathroom on their own, with a minimum of assistance, faster.
Final Tip on when to start potty training for babies
For your convenience, this is the list of potty training essentials mentioned in this article.
1) Potty training seat with ladder
Please note that even with these essentials, do not expect magic that your child will be potty trained in an instant. Whenever you choose to potty train your child, keep in mind that the experience should not be one marked by frustration or anger. It should be pressure-free and fun. Good luck!
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Hi, I'm Tanya Madsen, a stay at home mother of 3 and a full time blogger. I participate in Amazon affiliate programs and earn a commission when you click over from our site. It won't cost you an extra dime (in fact you'll usually get a discount), so it's a win-win.
