Potty Training: Toilet Training Readiness Signs in Children

Photo Credit: Staticflickr

Whenever you choose to start potty training your child is ok, but it wont be a good idea to wait if your child is ready. The first step is to ascertain your child’s readiness and start by maintaining a positive attitude before introducing the toilet or potty.

Toilet training  or potty according to wikipedia, is the process of training a young child to use the toilet for urination and defecation. Though training may start with a smaller toilet bowl-shaped device (often known as a potty) which most Nigerians  know it as pow. 

It will help a great deal if you will be dedicated to being consistent, so that potty training your child will be a success and done faster. When a child is ready you can tell by the way he/she coordinates and communicates with you verbally when pressed with poo or wee or even walk to the potty unaided.

Your Child is Ready if He/She Exhibits the Following Signs:

• Can follow simple instructions like come, go or sit
• If your child is not resistant in learning to use the toilets or trainers pant
• Of understanding about things around the house
• Walking around and sitting and shows a sign of independence
• Shows he’s able to store urine in his bladder up to two hours- dry nappies.
• Is beginning to dislike wearing a nappy.
• Dirty diaper - understands the feeling of wetness, perhaps trying to pull it off when it’s soiled.
• If your child able to undress him/herself?
• If your child is able to pull his/her pants down.

   

Related: Tips on How to Teach a Child to Use the Toilet

Toilet Training Methods

• Toddler-size potty or pow chair with a bowl that can be emptied into the toilet
• Toddler-size seat that can be placed on top of your toilet seat and a stepping stool so that your child can reach the seat comfortably.  

Potty Training at Night

Night hour potty training seems to be tough and annoying for some parents than daytime potty training. As the process is progressing, you feel it's time to work on potty training at night then start out by checking their diaper each morning. Make it clear to your child that you’ll help her in the middle of the night if she wakes up needing to use the potty. Assure her that there’s nothing wrong if she has an accident at night.

Your child may unintentionally soil the bed or pant  which will need some tidying.

At this point do not be tempted to putting your child back into diapers at night, try using a waterproof protector underneath the bed sheet to cut down on washing and offensive odour.

When potty training at night, you will need a lot of patience because there is bound to be accidents. Limit liquids in the evening about 3 hours before bedtime and take him go to the bathroom right before bed. Each time you wake up to use the toilet at night, wake your child and take him or her with you.

Toddler potty training could be faster when they are about 2 to 5 years and have developed the ability to hold urine up to 5 should, and know the feeling of waking up "dry". 

Potty Training Consistency

It could take a while before a child is potty trained properly. Cultivating the habit of using the potty consistently, say three times a day can help speed up the process until they get used to getting up to use the toilet on their own during the day and at night.  

Conclusion:Toilet Training Readiness Signs

Most pow and toilet seats come in different beautiful shapes and sizes as seen above. Kids love toys that look interesting, getting one like that wont be a bad idea you know.

Getting the timing right  during the day and at night is the key to potty training a child, all you need do is to be patient and consistent and in no time the process will be a success. Good Luck!