Easy Potty Training

It is high time that you stop wasting money on diapers and pull ups and train your child to do potty in a pot. Especially nowadays when both parents are working, this transition from diapers to toilet or potty chair can come extremely handy in situations when neither of the parents are around the child. Potty training though is very important, can at times be frustrating for both parent and child and so, needs to be handled with care. Therefore, following are some potty training tips and instructions that will be helpful to all parents who want to make this transition from diapers to the toilet faster and easier.

One of the most common questions that parents often ask is what age is best to start potty or toilet training? Children are usually ready between 18 and 36 months, since at this age the toddlers are compliant and also ready for some independence. If you wait longer than that, you may have to deal with a temperamental and strong-willed toddler who might find great mirth in resisting the process. Moreover, a child who continues to wear disposable diapers between the ages of 2 and 3, develops an additional half-ton of solid landfill waste. However, the best way to determine whether your child is willing to learn potty training process is to look for signs of readiness, which are:

• Remaining dry for at least 2 hours at a time
• Getting regular bowel movements
• Being able to follow simple instructions and directions
• Able to walk well as it helps strengthening pelvic muscles and controlling bladder function
• Feeling uncomfortable with dirty diapers and wanting them to be changed
• Asking to use the potty chair
• Desire to wear regular underwear

The success of this process primarily depends on the development of an effective toileting schedule, and for that you need to devote at least three days in a row with no other plans. Buy a potty chair and keep a track on how often the child defecate in a day. This will give you a fair idea regarding how many times the child goes to the bathroom. Remove the child's diapers and even underwear, and make him/her drink lots of water or feed with food like pretzels that will increase his/her thirst.

Ask your child consistently whether he/she wants to pee and as soon as the child makes a sign, take him/her instantly to the potty chair and then say firmly "pee goes in the potty". Keep doing this 3 - 4 times or until the child on its own, head to the potty chair next time when he/she wants to pee. Likewise keep a track on his/her bowel movements and next time when you set the child on the potty chair, say "poopy goes in the potty". Eventually, your child will get the point and head for the potty without you directing him/her.

Potty Training Tips

• Try making the bathroom a fun place by keeping a couple of the child's favorite toys or books which can only be accessed while sitting on the potty chair.
• When making the child sit on the toilet, don't force, negotiate or get angry. Let the experience be a positive one. If the child doesn't want to sit on the potty chair, leave the bathroom and try later at the next scheduled time.
• Don't allow the child sit over potty chair for more than 5 - 7 minutes as if the child is going to void in the toilet, he/she will do within that time frame.
• If the child voids, taking time and lots of efforts, praise the child verbally and tactually with hugs or pats on the back.
• Once the child is through with the procedure, try make him/her learn how to flush the toilet as this will help him/her develop an extremely important habit.

I am sure after reading the potty training techniques you will also agree, that it is not very difficult and time-consuming, and can done easily, provided you use right technique and have a bit of patience. Just go with your child's pace and don't forget to encourage or praise when he/she accomplishes the task.