Best Potty Training Method

Once a child reaches an age of 2 - 3 years, the transition from diapers to toilet or potty chair is very important. Especially in situations when both the parents are working and no one is around the child. Moreover, toddlers of this age are compliant and also ready for some independence, hence it is the best time to potty train your child. In fact, waiting longer than this will make you deal with a moody and strong willed toddler who might find a great mirth in resisting the entire process of potty training.

However, unlike to a common belief that parenting potty training is an intimidating, next to impossible task for any parent, if approached with a positive mindset and fair expectations, one can train their child within a few days. Therefore, let us have a look at some potty training methods for all parents who want to train their children in an easy and quick way.

Signs of Readiness

Though age is one factor to know when to start potty training, the other effective ways to determine if your child is willing to learn potty training process is to look for signs of readiness. Keeping dry for minimum 2 - 3 hour at a time, having regular bowel movements, feeling of uneasiness with dirty diapers and wanting them to be changed, ability to walk properly (which helps strengthening pelvic muscles and controlling bowel movements), asking for a potty chair, able to understand simple instructions and directions and desire to wear regular underwear are some common signs that show the child is ready for potty training.

Potty Training Methods

# In this method, any one parent has to devote minimum three days in a row to keep a track of how often the child defecates in a day. This will provide a fair idea about how many times the child would go to the bathroom or use potty chair. Next step is to make the child drinks lots of water or feed with food like pretzels to increase his/her thirst. Now as soon as the child shows uneasiness or makes a sign to pee, take him/her immediately to the potty chair and say "pee goes in the potty". Try this 3 - 4 times till he/she starts doing on its own and goes to the potty chair or bathroom next time when he/she wants to do.

# Another potty training method which may sound a bit unusual but is effective is the naked method. In this method, one simply needs to let the child go without diapers, training pants, etc. But here again, one parent has to stay at home, as the downside to letting the child go naked is to clean the scattered mess. However, the method works for many parents and can potty train the child in a week.

# The best way to teach something is to demonstrate it, hence in this method one can use a potty training doll as a model to teach appropriate potty training behavior to the child. Make the doll drink plenty of fluids and ask the child to take it to the bathroom. Make the child watch as you remove the doll's underwear and makes the doll sit on the potty chair. Then bring the doll and child back in to the living room and praise the doll verbally and give it some goodies. And then tell the child that he/she will get the same praises and presents if he/she uses the potty.

Well, after reading these methods you'll also agree that it's not very difficult, and just requires patience and right approach. While training your child don't force or make him/her sit on the chair for more than 5 - 7 minutes. Let the child learn and do with his/her pace so that the entire training process should be a positive one.