When To Start Potty Training For Your Toddler | What To Avoid | Dr.Srimukhi Anumolu

When to start potty training for my toddler? This is generally a big thought for all the mothers. It creates so many doubts and confusions. 

In this article, we have given complete information about potty training for children like when & how to start. Let us begin the article. 

Blog Contents

1. Signs That Your Toddler Is Ready For Potty Training
2. When To Start Potty Training & How?
3. What To Avoid In Potty Training?
4. Best Pediatrician In Vijayawada | Dr.Srimukhi Anumolu
5. Final Conclusion 

You can check all these blog contents in this article. Make sure to read the complete article without any skip. 

Signs That Your Toddler Is Ready For Potty Training

In general, many parents wonder when to start potty training their children. While most children indicate they are ready to start toilet training at a certain age.  And, some aren’t ready until a bit older. However age isn’t the sole determining factor for potty training. 

In fact, the potty training age will vary a bit from child to child. It depends on both physical and emotional factors. But there are some common signs that children can show when they are ready for potty training. Let’s have a look at them

1. Your Child Shows Interest

Yes, first of all, your child must have an interest in using potty and learning it. They will show interest in staying dry and clean. This is the first sign we can expect from the children to start potty training. 

2. Your Child Stays Dry

Generally, your child must stay dry for two hours or more when awake and/or wakes up with dry diapers. It shows that their bladder capacity and control are increasing, which are important for toilet training.

You can start potty training for children when they are having dry diapers for a long time and it becomes a routine for them. 

3. When They Are Showing Their Independence

Toddlers are ready for potty training when they start saying I can do it or trying to do things on their own… It can be dressing, feeding, especially potty habits. 

So, your child’s independence can be a big sign to start toilet training. And, being aware of toileting behaviors of others like an older sibling can alert them to practice those habits.

4. They Can Undress

Usually your child starts to pull their clothes by themselves at a certain age. For some children it may take a bit more time. However this is a good sign to start potty training for children. 

5. Follow Your Directions 

Potty training for kids is a challenging thing. It involves many steps like understanding the urge to go, finding the bathrooms, pulling off the pants, sitting properly on the potty, flushing, cleaning their hands, etc. 

Your child must follow all these steps when you direct them. They must gain the ability to do all these things and it definitely takes time. 

6. They Can Communicate

Your toddler must be able to communicate either telling you with words or signals that they need to get to the bathroom. Their ability to tell you they need the potty is the best sign to start toilet training. 

I hope these points help you understand the signs for when to start potty training for your children. 

When To Start Potty Training & How?

In general, parents will have more questions and confusion on ditching the diapers. One of the most common questions is when to start potty training… 

So, there is no fixed answer for this question. Because the process of toilet training will vary from child to child. On average, children will be ready at 18 to 30 months old for potty training. And, we can start at 4 years of age for some children. 

Let us see How To Start Potty Training For The Children 

1. Introduce The Potty 

The first and foremost step is to introduce the potty to your toddler. Create interest in it by reading the related books, showing pictures, etc. You can teach them about potty and help them to learn to sit on the potty. 

Start talking about potty training occasionally.  Incorporating conversations about going potty makes your child comfortable before they’re developmentally ready to potty train.

2. Follow Particular Schedule For Potty Training 

Routine is very important in potty training. Remember that, what you train your toddler will become a habit for them. So, allow them to sit on the potty for every couple of hours whether they have to go or not.

Try to potty train them at particular timings. So that it will become a routine for them. 

3. Teach Proper Hygiene 

It is very important to set good bathroom hygiene habits for your children that lasts a lifetime. Some habits like washing hands should become a routine from day one. Teach your child to wipe, flush, and wash their hands, after having the potty.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends cleaning the hands with soap for at least 20 seconds. You can make hand-washing fun by buying colorful kid-friendly soaps. 

And you can also make it last long enough by singing a favorite song, like “Happy Birthday to You” or the “ABC Song, etc. 

4. Understand It Takes Time & Effort 

Doctors suggest parents not to become frustrated while potty training the children. You need to understand this is completely a time taking process. 

However, it’s not uncommon for a child who has been successfully using the potty for a few days to say they want to return to diapers. Make sure that your child is not facing any struggle or tough situations where he withholds bowel movements. Because this may lead to constipation.

So, ask your child, know their thoughts and resume the process if necessary and plan the training accordingly.

I hope these points will help you understand how and when to start potty training for the children. Let us see what to avoid in potty training in the below section.

Know More About How To Start Potty Training For Children

What To Avoid In Potty Training?

Potty training can be a new and hard experience for both the child and the parents. Regardless of how your potty training experience is going, it’s important to make sure your child feels supported. 

Parents must communicate in a positive way while children are learning a new skill. There are few things to avoid in potty training for children

• Don’t force your child until they are completely ready for potty training
• Do not set deadlines 
• Please do not start potty training during the stress times
• Don’t use a difficult clothes while potty training
• Accidents while potty training is very common and do not over react
• Do not expect night time potty training from your child right away
• Don’t Discount Your Child’s Fears or Attachments

Know More About What To Avoid During Potty Training

Best Pediatrician In Vijayawada | Dr.Srimukhi Anumolu

If you are looking for the best pediatrician in Vijayawada, then consult Dr Srimukhi Anumolu @ www.tiny2teenshealth.com and she does offline consultations at Ankura Hospital For Women & Children, Vijayawada.

10+ years experience in treating infants to teenagers. Being a mother of a 9 year old, I always suggest the best solutions for your children’s health issues.

You can visit my website to get complete information about me. Also, follow my Instagram & YouTube Channel for genuine information. I will share common health problems and their solutions through these channels.

Final Conclusion 

Finally I want to conclude that potty training is really a hard journey for all the parents. It includes many challenges and lots of patience. So, all I can suggest is, do not become frustrated with your little one. And, remember that the habits you teach them will lasts their lifetime. 

So, still if you have doubts on when to start potty training for your children, post them in the below comment box.