Toilet training in children or potty training

Toilet training or potty training is training the children to use toilets for urination and defecation
Most children are unable to control the bowel and bladder until the age of 2 -3 years.
Bowel control happens before the bladder control.

How to teach

• Make the child to be comfortable with flushing the toilet and sitting on the potty chair. Begin teaching the child to go the bathroom,
• Keep the child in loose and easily removable pants.
• Watch the signals of urination or bowel movements like changing facial expression or stopping still for a moment and take the child for toilet at regular intervals.
• Most children have bowel movement once a day usually within an hour after eating and urinate with in a hour after having a large drink.
• Stay with the child in the toilet until he/she completed.
• Reading or talking to the child while using toilet can make the child to relax.
• Praise the child when he or she uses the toilet or potty.
• Do not express disappointment if the child do not urinate or have bowel movement in the toilet or potty. Be patient with the child.
• Make sure the toilet area is safe. Keep household cleaners, deodorants and toiletries out of reach.

Signs for potty training

If the child

• Has coordination enough to walk run, steadily.
• Have regular well formed stools at predictable times.
• Have dry periods at least three to four hours.
• Dislikes wearing wet or dry diaper.
• Shows interest in bathroom habits like watch you going to bathroom or wearing underwear.

How long it will take to toilet raining

It may take around 3 months.

Toilet training troubles

• Staring too soon can lead to problems.
• If the child feels pressured by the parents, learning may be hampered.
• Punishment will not help with toilet training.
• Any stress in the child’s life like new baby or starting child care can set them back.