What is potty training?
To go from soiling anytime, anywhere to passing urine and stools in the toilet or a potty is a big milestone in your baby’s development.
Parents tired of changing dirty nappies and cleaning soiled floors are always eagerly waiting for this landmark.
But as always, there is a right way and a wrong way of doing things, and potty training is no exception! So, let’s learn the right way of teaching this important step to your toddler. In this article, we discuss briefly “Toilet Training”.
Remember the three Rs- not the three Rs of education but of toilet training.
- The first R is ‘recognizing the child’s readiness”.
- The second R is a ‘relaxed approach’.
- The third R is ‘routine establishment”.
If you follow these three Rs, then the fourth R-reward’ is not too far.
When to start potty training
By 1½ years, most toddlers start indicating the urge to pass urine or stools either through words or through action. That is the ideal time to start potty training or toilet training. Here, recognizing your child’s readiness is important.
The overall understanding, attitude, and developmental level of the child are important factors in deciding the timing. Some babies will always be more mature, expressive, and cooperative than others, and they will be the ideal candidates for learning this new skill.
If these qualities are slow to develop in your baby, there is no harm in waiting up to 2½ years or later to start potty training.
Duration
The time required for toilet training varies from individual to individual. Usually, the basic process takes a few weeks to a few months.
Remember the relaxed approach. Don’t be a pushy control freak. To master a new skill, each child takes its own time. You should be prepared to be patient and tolerant of your child’s failed attempts. Sometimes, it could take months before the child master’s the process, and there could be occasional mishaps even after the child has mastered it.