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How to Start Potty Training Your Toddler

By Lorraine Beraho, MD, MPH, FAAP

So, your toddler is finally ready to begin potty training? “How do I start?” This is a question I get from parents frequently during clinic visits. It’s helpful to look for signs since the age at which a child is ready for toilet training can vary, with most children showing these clues between age 18 and 24 months.

Here are a few helpful tips if your toddler is ready to start learning how to use the potty:

First thing’s first; get the right equipment

A potty chair is a standalone option with a bowl that can be emptied into the toilet. Initially, a potty chair should be displayed in the toddler’s view where they spend the most time. The toddler can be encouraged to sit on the potty with clothes on or with a diaper on at first before sitting on the potty directly. A soiled diaper can be placed in the potty or contents dumped into the toilet to demonstrate the function of the potty/toilet. It is also useful to have the toddler flush the toilet to participate in the training process.

To encourage consistency, it’s helpful to place a potty chair in every bathroom in the house that the child may use. There are also toddler-sized seats that can be secured on top of a toilet seat. The latter option is best paired with a stepping stool to help your child reach the seat independently and feel supported during a bowel movement.

Create a routine

Have your toddler sit on the potty chair or potty seat without a diaper at two-hour intervals for a few minutes. Additional potty breaks are helpful first thing in the morning, an hour after drinking fluids, or right after naps. Even if your toddler doesn’t void, offer praise for their efforts and provide reassurance they can also try again later. Ask your child to sit on the potty if you see clear clues of needing to go to the bathroom, such as crossing legs, squirming, holding genital area, or squatting. Ask your child, “do you need to go to the potty?” or “do you need to pee/poop?” so they can associate their urge with the need to void.

Do not force your toddler to sit on the potty if they resist. During long drives, some parents find keeping a potty seat in the car trunk helps facilitate toilet training. Stops for potty breaks should be made every 1-2 hours. Ensure all caregivers (grandparents, babysitters, etc.) follow the same routine.

Demonstrate for your child

Young children are paying attention to the world and learn by copying you. Show your child how you sit on the toilet and describe what you’re doing out loud. You can also have your toddler sit on the potty seat and mimic you while you or a sibling uses the toilet. Use words to verbalize the act of using the toilet (i.e. pee, poop, potty), and encourage your child to wash his or her hands afterwards.

When to introduce training pants

Disposable training pants are helpful for transitioning from diapers to underwear. Kids typically gain daytime control of their bladder and bowel habits before developing the ability to remain dry overnight, making training pants a helpful way to prevent messes. Absorbent training pants can also be helpful when you’re running errands during the day with your child when they haven’t fully completed the toilet training process. Children can get frustrated when they soil their underwear, therefore, training pants can also be a helpful safety tool while they gain full control over their functions.

About Dr. Beraho

Dr. Beraho is BAHP’s expert advisor on baby care issues. She is a board-certified pediatrician and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and she is a licensed physician in both California and the District of Columbia


Signs that Your Child is Ready for Toilet Training

By Lorraine Beraho, MD, MPH, FAAP

There are several clues that can help parents and caregivers evaluate if their child is ready to begin the toilet training process. Potty training readiness is a developmental milestone and timing is key.

A child should be able to verbally communicate various needs to the caregiver. Also, from a physical perspective the child should be able to demonstrate the ability to sit and rise from the training toilet seat without difficulty. If these skills haven’t been observed, toilet training should be delayed to avoid creating a stressful learning environment for the child that could ultimately lead to a prolonged toilet training process in the future.

In addition to the verbal and physical components of development that are important for successful toilet training, the following indicators are common patterns seen in toddlers who are ready to go diaperless, or transition to pullups.

  1. Fewer wet diapers and the occasional dry diaper after a nap as your child develops control of his or her bladder and experiences a decrease in urinary frequency.
  2. Toddler begins removing diaper after urinating or having a bowel movement because the feeling of a soiled diaper becomes uncomfortable.
  3. Interest in the potty increases as expressed through imitating the behavior of those going to the bathroom.
  4. Verbally expressing that they “need” or “want” to go to the bathroom and at times notifying the caregiver that they soiled their diaper.
  5. Your toddler’s toilet habits are predictable (i.e. child has a BM right before bed every night or similar patterns) making availing the potty during those times a healthy ritual promoting successful toilet habits.
  6. Some toddlers hide when they experience the urge to use the bathroom, indicating they are becoming more self-aware of their body.

It is important to remember that not all toddlers are ready to start potty training at the same age. Toilet training readiness requires close evaluation by caregivers, and your pediatrician can help you assess if your child is ready to start the journey.

About Dr. Beraho

Dr. Beraho is BAHP’s expert advisor on baby care issues. She is a board-certified pediatrician and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and she is a licensed physician in both California and the District of Columbia.


5 Signs it Might be Time to Move to a Larger Diaper Size

By Lorraine Beraho, MD, MPH, FAAP

As a pediatrician, one of the most common questions I hear from mothers and caregivers is, “When will I know it’s time to move to a larger diaper size?” Here are a few tale-tell signs:

Repeated blowouts or leaks

Recurrent blowouts or leaks are signs that your child’s diaper may be too small. Many parents attribute these mishaps to the diaper brand, however, diapers that don’t contain your child’s waste effectively may reflect the need for larger diaper size.

Variations in diaper weight range

Check your diaper box. Every diaper box provides a suggested size based on a baby’s weight. Sizing suggestions are typically based on industry data regarding the average baby weight. Variations in baby shapes should also be taken into consideration.

Waistband

Make sure the waistband is right at the waist, easily closing without having to use much tension to connect the diaper tabs to the proper location. The diaper should come below your child’s belly button and sit at the level of the hips in the back.

Red Marks

If your baby’s diaper is too small, red marks resulting from chaffing may be visible along the upper thighs, waist and hips indicating a tight-fitting diaper.

Coverage

Does your baby’s diaper cover all necessary body parts? Inappropriate coverage of your baby’s bottom by an ill-fitting diaper signal that it may be time for a bigger size.

About Dr. Beraho

Dr. Beraho is BAHP’s expert advisor on baby care issues. She is a board-certified pediatrician and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and she is a licensed physician in both California and the District of Columbia.

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Meet Dr. Lorraine Beraho, BAHP’s Expert Advisor for Baby Care

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