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When to start potty training and ensure it will work.
Are you wondering when to start potty training and know it will succeed?
Well, first of all, I must be honest with you. Knowing when to potty train is not an exact science. You cannot control how or when your child toilet trains.
Only she can do that for herself.
However, you, Mom or Dad, are a HUGE influence in your child's potty training.
That makes you incredibly important.
I have toilet trained four children myself, both boys and girls. The question of when to start potty training is important. If you start before your child shows readiness signs, you may make a little headway, but at some point you will probably face toilet training problems.
In the western world, most children potty train between the ages of 2 and 3. Keep in mind this is an average, some children will train earlier and some later. Don't be put off by that!
When to start potty training depends upon readiness signs.
Potty training readiness has lots of clues. Click on the link for a more complete discussion of toilet training readiness signs, but here are many of the more common ones.
- Staying dry for several hours during the day and sometimes during naps or nighttime.
- Showing interest in the potty training process.
- Asking you to change a wet or poopy diaper.
- Wanting to wear big girl or big boy underwear.
If all of this sounds a bit confusing or you enjoy using a comprehensive guide that will answer many of your questions about when to potty train, what to do AND help you deal with the inevitable potty training resistance that will probably come up, I seriously suggest you take a look at this detailed potty training package of information.
A step-by-step help like this guide can be invaluable as you deal with the normal ups and downs of potty training.
When to start potty training if my child is still young?
Well, I'll be honest with you again. Potty training babies, for example, does have its proponents and they make some compelling points.
But, for me, after looking at the evidence and based on my own experience with my children, potty training infants is not the same as potty training toddlers or preschoolers.
You can certainly take notice of your baby's natural bodily rthyms and "catch" their pee and poop accordingly.
And then as they grow and reach toddlerhood, those children are already comfortable with the toilet training process. Does that help them train easier or faster? Some say yes, and some say no.
For certain, though, you as a parent may have spent just as much time running your infant to the potty to catch his movements as you might have in diapering. That's certainly okay if that's what you want to be doing.
On the other hand, knowing when to potty train is not as simple as starting potty training as soon as your child can walk or because it seems to be convenient for you, the parent. This type of toilet training can really backfire IF a child is not physically and emotionally ready.
And if you push this process when your child is definitely not ready or simply not cooperative, you could find yourself knee deep in potty training regression. I have been there, many times.
Power struggles and potty training often go hand in hand. And in this case, Mom or Dad, your child will win. She holds all the cards.
When to potty train - a summary.
- Check for signs of potty training readiness.
- Be cautious about starting too young unless you are going to get your infant comfortable with the toilet from a very young age. Here is a website that answers questions about diaper free babies.
- Make sure YOU are ready for the potty training process! Your child will take nearly all his cues on the topic from you, so make sure your attitude is positive and relaxed and you have a plan B thought out for the inevitable potty training problem that will raise its head at some point.
Popular potty training topics.
Potty Training Child
A list of all of our articles to help you while potty training your child.
Toilet Training Tips
Many times just one new piece of toilet training advice that I hadn't considered before was just the help I needed to help my child over a potty training hump.
Potty Training Boy
Additional tips to help if you are potty training a boy (I've trained two boys myself).
Potty Training Girls
Specific tips to help potty training for girls move smoothly (I've trained two girls myself).
Colleen Langenfeld is a mother with over 29 years of parenting experience and helps other busy moms around the globe at www.paintedgold.com.
Note from Colleen: Remember, I earn my living making excellent recommendations to you, Mom, so when you choose to click any of the links on this website and make a purchase, I may earn a commission.
Naturally, that means I care about what you think! If you try a product or service I recommend, I'd love to hear from you. How else can I keep my recommendations top notch for all my visitors?
And thank you, for stopping by.
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