My son is starting preschool this year, he still wears nappies. So, how do I potty train him?
This is the most frequently asked question from the parents. Toilet training, like teething, is as individual as each child. The ideal time to start the training will be different for everyone.
SIGNS OF READINESS
There is no point in starting the toilet training before your child is completely ready for it. The bladder and bowel muscles have to be sufficiently developed for the child to be able to hold on to urine and faeces long enough to get to the potty or toilet in time. This doesn’t happen physiologically before about 2 years of age (sometimes bowel control is achieved before this). Night time dryness usually takes longer than day time dryness, but it’s generally achieved between 2-4 years of age.
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Below are the signs that indicate the readiness of your child:
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GETTING STARTED
Allow your child to develop awareness before starting the toilet training, for example, by letting your child go without a nappy during the day. This will help them learn what urine is and where it comes from. Introduce your child to the potty or toilet before you start his/her training they get used to it. There are all kinds of musical potties available these days to make it interesting.
Pick a suitable time when you can be consistently home for one to two weeks without commitments. Don’t start training if your child is unwell, or if a major event is happening, like home renovations or a new baby.
BOWEL TRAINING
Children can often control their bowels before they’re able to control their bladder.
SOME USEFUL HINTS
Once you start training, consistency is the key.
Now that you know what the potty training is and how to potty train your toddler, it won’t be difficult for you to train your little one.
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Must read: How to be a role model for your Child
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Babies are usually ready to be potty trained after they become two years old. By then, their bladder and bowel muscles would’ve had enough time to develop, thus enabling to hold and control pee and poop till they can to the potty or toilet.
You can try to potty train your baby only when they start showing signs of readiness. Ensure that the potty is easily accessible, ditch the nappies, give them plenty of fluids, and let them sit on the potty if they seem like they want to use it. But remember, every child is different, so don’t rush the process if they’re not really ready.
Keeping babies hydrated and feeding them fibre-rich foods is the best way to make them go to the potty faster.
Gentle tummy massages and bicycle leg movements can sometimes help babies poop. Moving their legs like they’re pedalling a cycle helps stimulate the bowels. Massaging their tummy in a clockwise motion also eases gastric issues and discomfort.
