Potty training is a big step. Being a parent, it is essential for us to be able to recognise the sign that indicates whether your child is ready for the potty training or not.
How to Potty Train Your Child
The child can walk correctly without any assistance and can even sit patiently for a short period. The child has become less independent and can complete tasks independently. Your child shows interest in watching others go to the toilet. Your child can tell if she poops in a diaper. Shows dislike in wearing nappies. The child pulls off nappy hen spoiled. Bowel movements are soft and regular.
Potty training includes being able to interpret the body’s urge to pass stool, being able to undress, control the bowel movements, able to poop and wash the hands. Before you start potty training make sure your child has mastered some of the above skills.
Now the next step is to get a pot or small seat that fits on the toilet seat that already exits.
This is important. Make sure your child is not irritated, sleepy and his digestion is proper. It’s better to start in the morning. Postpone the training if your child is constipated, have a cold or is cranky.
Choose a day to start
Do not use diapers, especially during daytime and make your child wear underpants that are easy to open.
Potty training may be frustrating for both you and your kid for the first few days so have patience.
Make your child sit on the potty after waking up, 30 minutes after eating or after having a bath.
Time selection
If you see any sign that suggests child could poop for example child is quiet, straining himself, passing the wind or changing posture make him sit on the potty. Keep on asking your child after a few hours or so if he wants to poop.
Make sure your child is not constipated. For this give him lots of fibrous food such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Alos, make sure child drinks lots of water. Limit milk intake to 3 serving per day.
Do not pressure your child, but be gentle. Do not push your baby. Try to relax him. Make sitting on the potty or toilet seat interesting by telling stories. If a child isn’t ready to cooperate wait for when he is interested. When you make your child sit on a potty make sure not to force him to sit for long. Wait for 10 minutes. If you make the child sit for long, he will feel pressurized and punished. Meanwhile, try to encourage him.
Do not force
If your child shows interest, gives effort and tries to cooperate, praise him. If he is successful praise him again.
If a child can pass stool, you will have to wipe him. It will take time (few more months) for them to learn to clean himself and wash their hands. Make the child wash his hand, also even if he doesn’t pass stool.
In the case, the child poops in his underpants do not yell at him, but gently remind him that he was to poop in the potty.
*If your child does not want to poop in the potty but passes stool in diaper be alert as this may be a sign of constipation.
We hope you find this article helpful. If you have any more queries, you are free to ask.