Things I Have Learned About Potty Training

This past month I potty-trained Amy who is 22 months right now in order to save money on diapers. It has gone pretty well. This is my fourth time doing it so it seems to go a bit better every time. Here are four suggestions for a successful potty-training experience learned mostly from failures training my first child, and successes training my younger kids:

1. Start Early. Get them familiar with going on the toilet at a young age in order to prevent fear of going when they are 3 and 4 years old. Child #3 started going poo-poo on the toilet at age 10 months. Child #4 started going poo-poo on the toilet at age 8 months. Whenever they would start to grunt or look like they were about to go in their diaper, I would pull off the diaper and sit them on the toilet. You can see an example of this by clicking here.

2. Train them in underwear or naked if you prefer. Do not try to potty train them while they are wearing diapers. If kids have been "trained" for two years to go to the bathroom in their diaper, how are they ever going to learn to use the toilet wearing a diaper? I like Gerber underwear for potty training. It has double layers and is very absorbent. It prevents larger messes on the floor when they do have accidents. Accidents WILL happen so be prepared, but don't try to prevent the accident by training in diapers!

3. Take them to the potty chair every 20-30 minutes. Just have them sit there and try. If they don't seem to go after a few minutes of sitting and playing with a toy or reading books while they are sitting on the potty, don't frustrate them further. Just pull up their pants and try again in 5-10 minutes. Spend 2-3 days focusing on the task. It helps to give them sips of water or juice after they go potty so they will have the urge to go again in a half hour. Accidents will happen. You don't need to be upset. Just encourage them to keep their underwear clean and dry, and encourage them to use the potty next time. Teach them what to do. "Tell Mommy when you need to go pee-pee or poo-poo." "Run to the bathroom when you need to go potty."

4. Give a small reward. When we lived in Hungary we had a potty chair that made music every time liquid or anything went in the potty. It played "Let Me Call You Sweetheart." This was enough to thrill child #3 and encourage her to fill the potty again. I have also used small treats such as a chocolate chip or an M&M after the child actually goes pee-pee or poo-poo. When they are fully trained after a few weeks, I quit with the treats. The child doesn't need it anymore. The biggest reward of all is your praise and excitement for a job well done! This is very important to excitedly congratulate them when they go. Clap your hands, do a dance, sing a song. Anything to show your joy over their accomplishment. They are so proud of themselves when mommy or daddy congratulate them!

I don't want to sound like a know-it-all by this post. I only want to pass on the wisdom that I have gained. Hope it helps someone!