It’s no secret that potty training can be hard. Some kids are more stubborn than others. Some kids learn quicker. And some kids are just plain more into it than others.
No matter what kind of kid you have, said Dr. John LaCount, a pediatrician with St. Elizabeth Physicians’ Florence office, there are three fairly universal guidelines you should follow when it comes to potty training:
Wait until your child is ready.
There isn’t a magical age when, once your child hits it, you’ll know he or she is ready to be potty trained. It’s more of a mental issue.
“When kids are ready, they’re ready,” La Count said.
Usually, pediatricians start talking about it with families when a child is between 18 months and two years, but the parent needs to watch for interest in a child. That truly determines a child’s readiness.
And, it’s important to note that some kids are ready earlier than others.
Pay attention to body language.
Once your child is showing signs of interest in potty training and showing he or she can “hold it” for some length of time, pay attention to his or her body language.
If you see your child grunting or making faces or running to the corner or squatting when he has to “go,” take him immediately to the bathroom.
It also helps to learn your child’s habits and schedule for going to the bathroom, La Count said.
Know how to progress properly.
Like most of us, kids learn by doing and by repetition, so if they’ve mastered that potty chair in the playroom, it’s time to take the next step. First, move the potty chair closer to the bathroom little-by-little until it’s actually in the bathroom. Then, when your child has the hang of that, tell your child that he or she has to help clean the potty chair after it’s used.
“Explain that you have to dump it out every time and wash it,” La Count said. “Kids will start to understand that it would be easier to go on the toilet where they could just flush it away each time.”
Above all, don’t force the issue. Ask yourself: Can my child follow basic directions? Can he tell me if he needs to go? Does she come to me right away after she’s gone to the bathroom? Can he pull his own diaper and underwear up and down? Can she sit on and rise from a potty chair or toilet?
If the answer to most of those questions is “yes,” you’ll know your child is ready.
