When and how to potty train a child. At what age is it possible?

General information

Every parent at one time or another faces the question of when and how to potty train a child . However, many parents, especially those raising their first child, often try too early to teach their baby to go to the toilet “like an adult.” Below we will talk about how to most easily teach a child to use the potty, how to correctly perceive the failures that inevitably happen during the training process, why a baby cannot always learn to go to the toilet quickly enough, as well as other important aspects that are interesting to young parents.

A few more errors...

The next important mistake may be constantly chasing the child with this hated potty. If the baby does not like to sit on it, do not put pressure on him. Don't force anyone to do something you don't want to do. Otherwise, it may take a very long time for a positive result.
Another important point that should not be overlooked is the chosen location for the pot. You need to place it so that it is always in sight of the child. If one day you move it, the child will simply do his business in his pants simply because he will not find it in his usual place.
It is also worth noting that when potty training a child, you need to pay attention to the clothes that the baby wears at home. It should not interfere with the baby’s independent attempts to remove it. It is better if these are panties or pants with an elastic band than tight tights, jeans or overalls. Imagine for yourself how much effort it will cost him to take off his uncomfortable clothes.
Well, the last mistake can be called inattention to the baby’s urges. The child himself can show that he wants to go to the toilet. It could be some sounds or, on the contrary, a lull, grunting or straining. Be more attentive to your own child and quickly teach him to go potty.

How to potty train a child: methods and their features

When the baby grows up, and mom and dad inevitably face the question of how to potty train a child, many adults make mistakes that ultimately result in stress for both parents and the child. As a result, older adults waste a lot of time and effort in vain, dropping the baby off even at night, but do not get any results at all, or in the end, an unstable result is noted.

At one time, there was an opinion that it was quite possible to potty train a child quickly and correctly if you started doing this already in the first year of the baby’s life. Even now, many grandmothers and even experienced mothers give young parents advice on how to potty train a child at 1 year old. Similar recommendations can sometimes be heard even from individual pediatricians.

However, at present, such early habituation has already been scientifically recognized as incorrect and untimely, as well as in such a way that it contradicts the natural physiology of the baby. That is, those who try to potty train a baby in the last months of the first year of life contradict his psychology and do not take into account the peculiarities of physiological maturation. As a result, it turns out that this entire process of habituation is very long and, as a rule, unproductive. In addition, those who try to teach such a small boy or girl to use the potty essentially have to put pressure on the baby. And this, of course, causes a number of negative consequences, namely:

the development of stress in the baby, sometimes leading to the development of neurological and psychosomatic diseases;
manifestation of urinary incontinence , constipation ;
nervous tics , logoneuroses ;
development of serious problems in later life, in particular enuresis , encopresis , overactive bladder .

In fact, parents very often note that their child develops the problems described above. But at the same time, they do not compare cause and effect, and often do not understand the nature of these manifestations.

Those who were puzzled by the question of how to potty train a boy or how to teach a girl to ask to go to the toilet earlier than determined by nature used methods of developing conditioned reflexes. However, in this case we were not talking about developing a conscious skill, which is what ideally needs to be achieved.

Because of such training, the wrong sequence of actions was built. That is, the parents ensured that the child emptied his bladder when he heard the murmur of water, or when he was told to “pee-pee.”

Due to repeated repetitions of such actions, the baby got used to the fact that it was necessary to write after such sounds. Although, in fact, bladder overflow should prompt you to go to the toilet.

In addition, the skill that a one-year-old baby acquired as a result of developing such a reflex is not permanent. It may be lost because it is based on the wrong basis. For example, any stress can “wean” a child off the potty – moving, starting kindergarten, troubled parental relationships, etc.

Also, a child may lose this skill at about 2 years old - at the age when the process of potty training actually needed to begin. If such “unlearning” occurs later, it is much more difficult for the baby to learn to acquire this skill.

Therefore, the conclusion is clear: there is no need to rush to wean your child off diapers as early as possible and try to potty train him in 3 days. This skill must be developed in a timely and gradual manner.

How to teach a child to go to the potty (methods)

There are special methods on how to properly instill in a child the skill of going to the potty. It turns out that this can be done in 3 days and a week. It would seem, how so? Here you are trying to help the child, but he is in no way, either protests, or is capricious, or just out of spite, does his wet business anywhere, but not on the potty.

The methods take all these points into account, but at the same time they can give simply amazing results. The main thing is to do everything correctly, gradually and with love for your baby.

So let's get started. First, let’s define what we have already achieved and what we will strive for.
After your baby wakes up, be sure to remove the diaper, offer to sit on the potty and explain that all adults do this. Don't forget to praise and hug your child affectionately. He really needs your encouragement and positive emotions.
Remind your child about the potty every 1-1.5 hours, take it with you to the toilet, allow him to flush the toilet, show him where to empty the contents of the potty. And constantly praise! It is very important! You can allow your child to play while sitting on the potty.
Sit next to each other and have fun together. He will see a relaxed atmosphere and will no longer be afraid of a subject that was hated until recently.
Also remember about comfortable clothes that are easy to take off and put on. If it’s summer outside and the room is warm, you can allow your baby to run around naked. This makes it even easier and faster for him to learn how to sit on the potty himself.
After a couple of days, you will be able to determine the time of your child's urge and plan when to put him on the potty.
Avoid diapers during the day. Let your baby learn to distinguish wet from dry.
Gradually, you need to stop wearing diapers at night. Better change diapers. Although by this time, the child can already restrain himself at night if he goes to the potty before bedtime.
Try to create a familiar environment for your baby. Avoid guests; in front of strangers, the child will become confused, complex and shy. Give him time to acquire this skill - “going to the potty”. Do not undertake repairs, moves, or any loud events during this period.
Take your time with kindergarten - do not disrupt your child’s usual way of life.
If you see that the child is not feeling well, move this moment to a more appropriate time. Still, nothing will work out yet. The baby will not be able to adjust to the changes.
Avoid conflicts with relatives and your spouse. These are negative emotions that have a detrimental effect on children. This way they will never learn to go potty.
Remember also that children may suddenly stop asking to go to the potty, even if they have already done it themselves and consciously. This may be some kind of crisis in their little life. You just need to be patient and wait it out. Everything will definitely work out.
While walking on the street, offer to “water the grass” for a boy or “let it flow” for a girl. Forget about diapers completely, otherwise all your efforts will be down the drain. It’s better to take spare panties and panties with you. And again - praise, hug, kiss your child!

Love will help you overcome all difficulties in such a difficult matter. Love your children - they are our pride, joy and immeasurable happiness.

At what age should training begin?

Thus, parents must clearly understand when it is necessary to potty train their child, and when it is too early to do it.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies reach physiological maturity at the age of 18-24 months. Therefore, it is necessary to potty train your baby no earlier than after he reaches 18 months.

It is important not only to know when to start potty training and what time a small child should learn to ask to go to the toilet, but also what method should be used for the result to be successful. It is important to use a method that is baby-oriented. That is, it is necessary to take into account the degree of maturity of the little person’s nervous system. It is the maturity of the nervous system that determines whether the baby is ready to acquire such an important skill. If you use this particular teaching model, parents will not put pressure on the child.

In turn, the baby will not survive stress if his physiological and psychological readiness is at the proper level. That is why the most correct answer to the question at what age a child can be potty trained is the following: when he is ready for this both physiologically and psychologically.

In the learning process, the baby is the main figure, and he already understands what he is doing and what exactly adults want to achieve from him.

The main provisions of the physiological method are the following postulates:

Physical maturity of the body - strengthening of the muscles of the urethra and sphincters of the rectum, developed innervation of the bladder and rectum.
Psychological maturity - the child already understands what is required of him and can follow instructions.
Emotional readiness – the child has a positive attitude towards acquiring new skills.

Let's start the process

Many mothers are convinced that the baby should get used to the potty as early as possible. The process begins as early as 3-4 months. There is another point of view that the child will cope with the task himself when he grows up. Both solutions have drawbacks; doctors agree that it is necessary to accustom the child, but choose the right time for this. This means that the child must already have a physiological and psychological readiness for changes in life.

Pediatricians advise starting to master hygiene items from the 18th month. The baby has already begun to realize that the intestines and bladder are full. A baby may understand that he wants to go to the toilet when he reaches this age, but this average value; at what age a child begins to use the potty depends on the level of adaptation and development.

You can’t scrupulously adhere to norms while paying attention to your neighbor’s children. It is important to carefully monitor your baby and objectively decide when to start exploring a new subject.

To learn how to use a potty, a child must master a set of skills:

walk and sit. It may not be clear to parents that the baby should be able to do this;
sit down, stand up, bend down to the floor;
understand parents' speech. Consciousness must be sufficiently mature for the new procedure. Without this, it is impossible to explain to the baby what is happening;
be able to speak. The little person must have a way to notify adults that the moment has arrived;
take off and put on pants;
stay dry for a couple of hours. This means physiological readiness to learn. If the baby frequently empties his bowels, there is no point in teaching him.

Features of baby physiology and anatomy

To explain why training should begin no earlier than one and a half years old, consideration of some features of the baby’s physiology and anatomy will help. A baby can consciously ask to use the potty only at a time when he has already formed neuromuscular connections between his brain and the pelvic organs. Their formation begins only after 18 months. These are nerve fibers that form plexuses around the rectum and bladder. They are the ones who give the impulse that the bladder or intestines are full. This impulse is initially transmitted to the spinal cord, and then to the brain. This is what motivates you to go to the toilet. Consequently, the formation of the correct skill is possible only after the clear appearance of these connections. Therefore, if a child of 1.5 years does not go to the potty, this is quite normal.

Of course, some “advanced” parents, almost after the birth of the child, begin to rack their brains over how to get the child to pee in the potty. However, most attempts at training too early are doomed to failure. Even if there has been some success, children do not feel confident using the potty, and this skill is not consolidated in them as it should.

But if learning starts when the child begins to understand what is wanted from him, and when his body is ready for such a “school,” success will not be long in coming.

Choosing the right pot

Before you start potty training your child, you need to choose the right one. It is we, adults, who think that it does not matter what this attribute will look like, what color and what material it will be made of. But it won’t seem that way to a child. He will not sit on a cold and uncomfortable toilet. Moreover, he may develop hostility and fear of him for a long time. The potty needs to be warm and comfortable. This is why you should only buy plastic pots. The color doesn’t really matter, so don’t worry that the boy has a pink pot, and the girl, on the contrary, has a blue one. For the baby, the main thing is convenience. You can't go wrong if you buy an oblong pot for a boy and a round one for a girl. Nowadays there is such a variety of shapes and colors that you can easily choose the one you need. To begin with, let it not even be so much a toilet as a new bright toy. A child must first get used to a new thing in the house, look at it, touch it, play with it, and only then learn to use it.

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Going potty early: is that good?

Many mothers talk about how a baby who is not even a year old goes to the potty regularly. Faced with similar stories, some mothers of small children try to teach their child to do without diapers as early as possible.

By repeatedly repeating the sounds “pee-pee” or the hysterical “ah-ah-ah” and holding the baby on the potty, it is, of course, possible to ensure that he does his job. But do not forget that in this case he will only have a conditioned reflex .

However, it should be remembered that a baby taught such “wisdom” too early, after a year and a half, may behave completely differently than his parents expect. If the child’s bladder is not full, the corresponding impulse does not arrive to the brain, and in the meantime the baby is persistently placed on the potty and encouraged to go to the toilet, the conditioned reflex may already be triggered. And since the child has not been taught the new, correct method, the problem of wet pants can again appear in all its glory. At the same time, parents will be perplexed as to why something suddenly went wrong. And in this case, repeated potty training in 1 day is impossible - parents will again have to gradually “work” with the child so that he eventually develops a lasting skill.

The table provides a comparison of the features of too early and timely training

Up to 1.5 years	After 1.5 years
The skill is quickly lost because it is not persistent.	The child acquires a lasting skill and does not lose it.
Based on conditioned reflexes.	The child acts consciously, his actions are controlled by the brain.
Training is long and unproductive.	Learns easily and quickly.
Mistakes happen frequently, causing stress for both adults and children.	It is easier for a child to learn, and he does not experience negativity.

Psychological age of a child for potty training

There is such a thing as the psychological age of a child for certain actions and skills. You can also say about the need to go to the potty. A child is not taught this delicate procedure from the cradle. He needs to learn to understand the purpose of this need. Why do you need to sit on the potty? What happens if he doesn't? And this comes with age. And the best time for training is one and a half to two years. It is at this age that the child already begins to understand many things, adult speech, and can express some of his thoughts. Previously, you shouldn’t even try to fight wet pants, because the baby won’t understand why and for what he is being scolded. He lacks awareness of his natural reflexes, such as urination and defecation. At too early an age, the child does all this involuntarily, without understanding or realizing it. Psychologists believe that the later, the better it is to teach a child to go to the potty. By the age of three, almost all children can do this.

How do you know when to start training?

All babies develop differently, so you can’t assume that every child is capable of moving from diapers to a potty at one and a half years old. At the same time, parents should clearly remember the fact that the formation of a stable skill occurs by 22-36 months. Therefore, all the baby’s mistakes should be taken calmly.

It is important to take into account those signs that indicate that the baby can already begin to be taught to go to the toilet correctly.

Bowel movements occur at approximately the same time of day every day.
Urination is observed no more often than once every two hours, as can be judged by dry diapers.
The baby already knows different parts of the body and is able to show them. He also distinguishes between items of clothing.
He understands what it means to “pee” and “poop.”
Strives to imitate adults.
When the diaper is dirty, the baby experiences discomfort and shows it.
Makes attempts to dress independently.
Interested in the toilet, potty.
The baby is already 1.5 years old.

If all of the above features are already observed, this indicates that the potty training process will be quick and easy for both mom and dad and the child.

You should be prepared for the fact that your baby may not sit on the potty right away. If all attempts to sit him down end in whims and crying, this may indicate that the child simply does not want to go to the toilet right now. It is important not to scold him, but simply stop trying for a while and try again later - in a few weeks. By about two years old, a little person will learn to ask to go to the toilet and do everything correctly.

There is no need to force your baby to sit on the potty if for some reason he is afraid to do so. Parents should be sensitive to such fears and find their cause. This is often due to stress or the fact that the child finds the potty uncomfortable.

Teaching Methodology

An experienced mother has her own method for potty training a child. The method proposed by a specialist will help young parents bravely take on the decision. The right attitude is required. Children rarely get used to a complex process in a few days. This usually takes a couple of months, so it may not be possible to quickly train a child to go potty, or it will be an unconscious process.

7 days

The system was developed by Gina Ford, a professional English nanny. Modern Mary Poppins developed it based on her knowledge in the field of medicine, physiology, pedagogy, and vast personal experience in communicating with children. The technique has earned the trust of professionals. Moms all over the world use it.

The method is suitable for children aged 1 year and 4-7 months. You may not get an ideal result in 7 days; all children are different. Parental ability to explain is also not the same. You shouldn’t scold your baby if he can’t cope after a week. This is a team game. When a child begins to master a new subject, mistakes are inevitable, you need to be patient.

You shouldn’t be motivated only by the upcoming savings on disposable diapers. The baby learns to take care of itself in order to become more independent, to spend time more interestingly, and not to maintain the family budget.

The first day - down with the diaper. We need to explain to the baby that adults go without diapers, and he is now an adult. You can sit on the potty after sleeping or eating. The goal is to learn to sit for 5-10 minutes, to understand what a new object is for. It is important to explain to the child why he needs a butt and pussy so that he understands the connection with the potty. Try to show by example, so your child will better learn new information.
The second day is to consolidate the material. The parents’ task is to monitor the baby and remind him about the hygiene item. It is necessary to catch attempts to pee in the old way, and urgently make him sit down. When a child starts using the potty, misfires are inevitable. It's better to walk close to home.
You need to stick to your chosen strategy. Now you can’t resort to diapers even during sleep or going out. Then the little one won’t get confused about when he can get his pants dirty and when he can’t.
These days will help parents understand what time they need to sit down to “think about life.” When the moment comes, you need to ask the baby if he wants to go to the toilet.
To make it easier for your little one to do without diapers while sleeping, be sure to sit down before going to bed and immediately after waking up. It is better to purchase a waterproof mattress cover and get ready to wash your sheets.
It is important to praise the little person for correctly acquired knowledge and success in the toilet business. Praise should be clear and vivid. You can tell dad or grandma about new achievements in the presence of the baby. This will be a positive reinforcement of the result.

Useful tips

Before you get acquainted with a new subject, you need to prepare. Constant stories that all the children go to the potty will help. Frequent mention of this fact will help reinforce the idea of this need.
Make a selection of cartoons and books about why a new item is needed.
It is important to introduce the baby to the new thing. Place it next to the toys, let it touch, sit without taking off your clothes. Place a large toy or doll and act out the process of bowel and bladder emptying. The baby will imagine what actions are expected of him.
It is better to refuse diapers and not use absorbent panties. It's like learning to swim with an inflatable ring. Wet panties will work as additional motivation to learn to control the emptying process.
It is useful to involve the toddler in the overall process, turning it into an interesting ritual. Take his initiative into account. You can invite the baby to choose a place for the new assistant. If the potty is put away, ask him to take it out when the time comes. Let your child watch the contents of the potty disappear down the toilet.
There is no need to sit down too strongly if the child does not want to. Calmly and kindly tell your baby to remember the potty the next time he urges.
Failure is not scary at all. You can’t blame wet pants or scold them for it. The result may be a refusal to sit on the potty.
An infant learns an unknown skill better using the example of older children. Draw your child’s attention to his brother or sister as an example to follow. If the older one has grown out of the pot, it is useful to enlist his support in passing on the experience to the younger one.

Little tricks:

It's easier to start things off with new helpers. Give your little one underwear with characters from your favorite cartoon. This will help you feel supported and add determination.
Get toys for potty training. Let it be a couple of things so that there is no temptation to sit for hours. The technique will help keep the novice rider longer.
It is better not to change the position of the new toilet in the house. It is more convenient to get used to a new thing if it is in one place.
It’s great if the product is equipped with a lid. The little one will be able to raise it before the start of the action and lower it after. This will give the ritual significance and involve the child in the process.

How to carry out the learning process?

This should be done gradually, without rushing the baby.

“Introduce” the potty

First you need to show him that you can just sit on the potty. Therefore, first it is enough to sit him on the potty, without immediately requiring him to use this item for its intended purpose. True, parents need to be extremely careful here, because they shouldn’t let their baby play with the potty either, otherwise he will begin to perceive it as just another toy.

Drop off when the baby presumably wants to go to the toilet

If your child doesn’t mind sitting on the potty, you should try to sit him out at a time when he most likely wants to do something small. It is better to do this after eating, after sleep.

Monitor behavior

If you watch a little person very carefully, you will notice that before urinating or defecating, he becomes quiet, as if thinking. Some children shudder, others try to take off their panties or panties on their own. It is these signals that may indicate that it is time to sit on the potty.

Reinforce the skill through repetition

After the baby makes a mistake, you need to calmly ask him where to poop and pee. If he doesn’t point to the potty after that, then you need to bring the child to him and repeat again, “Here’s the potty. You need to write here."

Take failures calmly and praise successes

You can’t scold children for mistakes and get upset about it - over time, everything will definitely work out. Everyone has failures over a period of time. Sometimes it is possible to teach a baby to go to the toilet in a week or two, sometimes it takes longer. But if everything turned out correctly, you need to praise the baby and tell him how great he is and how well he did everything.

Turn going to the potty into a ritual

Consistent and habitual performance of all actions is necessary. So that the baby gradually gets used to it. An adult should gradually produce them, while telling the baby what he is doing: “Take off your panties, sit on the potty, put on your panties,” etc. This will make it easier for the baby to get used to the existing order of actions.

Fear of the potty

Often, a child may simply be afraid to sit on the potty. What could be the reasons for such seemingly incomprehensible behavior for us?

Well, first of all, it's an unpleasant feeling. If the pot is metal, it will always be cold. It is difficult for the baby to overcome himself and sit on it. He still does not know how to control his emotions.
Secondly, there are memories of being scolded for not sitting on the potty. Therefore, never scold your child for wetting himself, defecating, or simply refusing to sit on him. Remember, everything has its time. We just need to wait and everything will work out.
Thirdly, it may cause pain during constipation or urination. Having gone through a difficult and painful procedure once, not every adult will want to repeat this procedure. What can we say about the child? In this case, it is better to hide the potty for a while and not force the baby to undergo painful bowel movements. Let him walk as he pleases. Be patient and try again. It is better to feed your baby porridge, prunes, kefir, and other fruits and vegetables that promote normal stool more often.
Well, fourthly, the baby could once get hurt or injured by falling from the potty. These negative emotions can also temporarily discourage potty training.

Rules to remember during the training process

The readiness of both the baby and the parents is important. Mom and dad must realize that the child will have to pay much more attention during this period. You should also be prepared for mistakes and the fact that you will have to devote more time to cleaning up after your baby.
Once you start the process, you need to constantly devote time to it. That is, it cannot be that on weekends parents teach their child to use the potty, and on other days he wears a diaper. This can only confuse the baby and significantly complicate the process.
If during the day the child has not yet learned to ask to go to the toilet, it is not yet time to teach it at night.
A little person needs to get used to a chamber pot. This item should be in a visible place so that it is easy to find as soon as the need arises.
When everything works out, it is imperative to praise the child, doing it in such a way that he realizes that he did everything well. If a mistake occurs, no “Ay-ya-ay” should be heard from the lips of the parents - mistakes should be taken calmly.
It is important to train not only to the potty, but also to the ritual itself. Therefore, you need to teach how to perform all the actions sequentially, showing how to take off your panties, take out the potty, wash your hands, etc.
Over time, you need to put your baby on the potty before going to bed, before going for a walk - that is, when you need to go to the toilet, in order to avoid troubles.
At first, during the day you need to give up diapers, but at night or during a walk it is better to use them while the baby has not yet fully mastered this skill. Over time, you need to give up diapers completely.
You should not be allowed to play around with the potty, lest it end up being perceived as a toy.

How to understand that you need to take action

Often, by the age of one and a half years, children’s level of mental and physical development changes, and they understand what adults want from them.

And parents, in turn, need to know what signs indicate the child’s readiness to move to a new stage.

You can start taking action if:

the child is able to squat down and stand up, bend over;
knows how to pick up small objects from the floor and put them in place;
understands adult speech;
speaks some words and can communicate his needs;
after a nap or while awake (for two hours), his diaper remains dry;
dresses and undresses, trying to imitate adults;
is aware of body parts, including genitals;
feels discomfort when dressed in dirty, wet underwear.

During the learning process, it is important not to forget that each child develops individually and has his own character, so be patient - do not break down, show gentleness and perseverance. After all, some people manage to learn how to relieve themselves in a potty in just a week, while others need to “train” for several months. Try not to be nervous or rush the process.

You need to potty train your baby correctly, so get your child interested in this device.

It is extremely important that the process brings pleasure to the baby - he should want to sit down and not jump up instantly.

And for this you need to take the choice of a pot seriously. It is worth strictly assessing the material from which it is made, because it is not very pleasant to sit on something cold.

Some experts recommend choosing plastic because it is easy to clean, does not irritate the skin, and does not cool quickly.

Also take care of safety by choosing a stable potty, otherwise the child may fall, get injured and get scared. Based on the characteristics of a person’s structure, a round device is ideal for girls, and an oval one or with a small protrusion in front is ideal for boys. In addition, it must be the right size.

Of course, in stores there is a wide variety of potties with sound and light effects, but they will only interfere with the child’s ability to concentrate on the process, they may scare them, or they will become an ordinary toy. The model with a backrest will allow the child to sit comfortably, and the presence of a removable cover will be appreciated by those who are going to take it with them on the road.

Toilet training a child is a procedure that requires special attention and patience on the part of parents. How to teach a child to poop in a potty and why children don’t want to go to the potty - let’s talk about this in more detail.

We will talk about the causes of constipation in a one-month-old baby in this topic.

You can find more information about potty training your child in this post.

How to choose a pot

First of all, it is important to choose a comfortable potty. It is quite possible that you will have to initially change several of them so that the baby gets the one on which he will be most comfortable.
Its shape must be anatomical. It is better for girls to choose round ones, and for boys - oval pots that have a protrusion in the front.
Stability is important so that the child's toilet does not move or fidget on the floor.
It is preferable to buy a pot with a back.
As for the presence of a lid, there are no special recommendations - you need to choose what you like.
The ideal option is an ordinary, as simple as possible potty, without musical accompaniment and decoration in the form of eyes, ears, etc. Such things not only distract the baby, but are also perceived by him as a toy. Therefore, in the end, you can only confuse him, later spending a lot of time on training.
Adults need to understand that all children learn this skill. Therefore, you should treat the process calmly, without turning it into something super important. When both mentally and physiologically the baby is ready for this, everything will definitely work out.
We must not forget that children can finally master this skill at the age of 2-3 years. Therefore, if by the age of three mistakes still happen from time to time, there is nothing wrong with that. In this case, you cannot focus on this and swear.
It is important to always remember the most important rule: everything has its time. The sooner you start training, the more effort and nerves you will have to waste.

Getting to know the potty

Buy a potty with your child, let him choose - as if it were a toy. Choose a potty that is anatomically suitable for the child. Buy a potty with your child and let him choose. Pay attention to the parameters:

size
height
bends
material

The potty should be visually interesting for the baby and convenient for you to care for.

Important: Tell your baby that he is already big and should pee in the potty. Convince and encourage! Don’t scold if something doesn’t work out or the child resists. Everything will get better with time!

Secure a place for the potty near the baby's crib. The child should have an emotionally and enthusiastically formed perception of the potty as an obligatory object in his life.

Positive, expressive emotions are your assistant! Children are attracted to this approach!

How to teach to use a potty

If you see that your child is ready to be toilet trained, then choose the most favorable moment for this and act. It is important to consider the following points.

Potty training should be done during a period of healthy condition and good mood. That is, do not start this process when the child is sick, cranky, or teething. The baby already experiences a certain discomfort, and even demands to sit on the potty can lead to irritation.
Choosing a pot. It’s very good if the child liked the potty itself. It’s not bad if you choose it in the store together with your baby.
From the moment you want to toilet train your child, dress him in panties at home. This is necessary so that the child understands why he should sit on this incomprehensible object - so as not to wet his underwear. Of course, the stock of panties must be significant during this period. After all, during the day you will need to change them many times.
If possible, it is necessary to start sitting on the potty in the warm season. At home, a minimum of clothing will allow you to quickly find your bearings and take off your clothes in order to sit on the toilet in time. It is also easier to control this process during a walk in the summer. You can offer to go to the toilet under a tree; children are attracted to this.

What should a children's “toilet” be like?

It’s clear that he should like this new attribute in the baby’s life. Therefore, it is recommended to choose it together with your little child.

Today the choice of pots is very large . Various in shape, color and manufacturer. There's something for every taste. However, there are criteria that need to be taken into account when choosing. Namely:

He must be stable and not fidget.
Taking into account the anatomical features, it is worth choosing an oval-shaped “toilet” for boys, and pots with a round diameter for girls. Also, the hole should not be too large so that the butt does not fall through.
Pots with a back have proven themselves well. The baby can spend more time doing this activity than we think. Therefore, comfort also matters.
Make sure that the “toilet” is always clean, dry and not cold. After all, a child’s tender, warm body may be afraid of a cold touch or a wet seat.

Now you can even buy musical accessories in the store. After the child does his job, the “toilet” plays a melody. Think twice about whether you need such a toilet for your child. After all, the child will perceive it as a toy. And in the future , difficulties may arise when you have to go to a regular toilet, but without a musical friend.

All these moments with the choice of toilet are necessary in order to gently teach the child a new action. But under no circumstances should this be made into a theater.

How to train yourself to ask to go to the toilet at night

Your baby is doing well and goes potty during the day . He asks for it himself and there are no problems with it. However, what to do at night? The child’s body is simply not yet ready to control nighttime bowel movements. Here, as always, mother’s efforts are needed.

Think about this process as much as possible:

Before going to bed, be sure to pee on the “toilet.”
Try not to drink too much at night.
Cover the baby mattress with special diapers to prevent it from getting wet. A miracle will not happen; for a certain time, the child may wet the bed. Therefore, it is better to insure yourself.
Wake your child up at certain hours and put him on the potty. For example, at twelve at night and at six in the morning. Over time, limit yourself to going to the toilet once.

Subsequently, your baby will sleep all night and sit on the potty after waking up in the morning.

Force majeure situations

Sometimes there are cases when a child categorically refuses to sit on the potty, fundamentally relieves himself only in a diaper or in a certain place (for example, under a table, in a corner, behind a curtain in the bathroom), does not listen to adults and is not going to change his preferences.

How to behave in such a situation? Many experienced parents and specialists advise seeking help from a neurologist or psychologist, since problematic behavior may indicate the presence of certain disorders.

Even if the child is healthy, it is best to have this confirmed by a competent doctor.

Little tricks - how to potty train a child at 2 years old without tears and hysterics?

Three-day and one-week methods for potty training a child are presented in this article.

Remember that the process of potty training children is not easy, and this is a problem for many parents, as well as kindergarten employees and nannies. But the successful completion of this important period will help in the future to observe the rules of decency and control your needs.

Adults should show interest and help the child. They should understand that excessive care, abuse and violent actions can make a little person weak-willed, dependent, stubborn and disobedient.