Tips for Toilet Training
by A. Dixon, R.N

Toddlers do not seem to mind wearing diapers. They like being Pamper-ed
and Luv-d. Who wouldn't? Just as each child learns to walk at different ages
and levels of difficulty, children learn to use the potty at his or her own pace.
Toilet training is a process. Training usually takes place between the age of two
and four. It may take days, weeks, or even months before a child is fully out
of diapers. Again, how long training takes and when it occurs vary greatly from
child to child. Toilet training a child takes time, understanding, and patience.
The first and most important rule is not to rush a child in using the toilet.
A child must be ready.

Being able to use the toilet is a complex skill. Before being fully trained,
a child must be aware of the need to go to the bathroom - they must have
the ability to sense a full bladder or bowel. A child must be able to resist
the urge to go to the bathroom as well as be able to release urine and
bowel movements- the muscles used to hold back and release a full bladder
and bowel must be fully developed. The child must also be able to communicate
the need to go to the bathroom. Being able to use and coordinate all of these
physical skills is a major step for a child.

Toilet training is also an emotional challenge for the toddler. It's normal for
a child to want to grow up and to want to be the a baby. Toddlers naturally
want to please their parents and to be in charge, too. These emotional struggles
may affect toilet training. A child may be excited about training one day and
uncooperative the next.

Some tips in understanding toilet training basics can make training go more
smoothly. It is important to remember that each child is different. Parents
should not compare their child to other children. Age at training has nothing
to do with intelligence. Toilet training is not related to the age in which a
toddler walks, talks, or accomplishes other skills. A parent must be patient
during training. Even after training begins, setbacks are common. Trying to
force a child to train may backfire. Stress can slow training for a child.
If possible parents should keep stress low and downplay training efforts
during stressful times - during a move, when there is a new baby in the
family, etc.

A parent should always praise a child for his or her efforts and avoid shaming
or punishing a child for accidents or failures. Another tip in toilet training would
be for the parent to be flexible. It's common for girls to want to use the potty
standing up, boys to insist on sitting down, and so on. It's fine for a child to
experiment this way during the learning phase. A parent should'nt worry but
instead focus on what the child is doing right. Never take training ability of
a child personally. A child's success or failure is not a measure of a parent's
ability. Above all else, a parent should remember to relax. Children will train
eventually.

Certain steps a parent may follow in teaching a toddler to toilet train are to
first look for signs of readiness. A toddler may have the skills and interest to
start training if he or she asks to have dirty diapers changed, stays dry for one
to two hours at a time, is aware that he or she is passing urine or bowel
movements, is able to follow simple instructions, and if the child seems
curious about toilet habits. When a child seems ready, a parent can get
training off to a good start by letting the child pick out the potty seat.
A parent should read and tell stories about going to the potty (Books
about toilet training can be found at the local library. Some suggestions are:

Once Upon a Potty by Alona Frankel
A Potty Time by Betty Reichmeier;
On Your Potty by Virginia Miller
I Have To Go, (A Sesame Street Toddler Book) by Anna Ross.

Parents should also show and explain what the potty is for. A child should
get comfortable sitting on the potty even if they need to wear their clothes
at first. All fears about the potty should be relieved before training is tried.
Once training has begun, parents should suggest frequent trips to the potty,
and look for signs that a child needs to go and point this out to the child.
Children trying to toilet train should be dressed in easily removed clothes;
parents should expect accidents and accept them without criticism.

Once a child is having regular success on the potty, underwear or training
pants should be introduced for the daytime. Underwear and training pants
help the child feel grown-up. Cloth underclothes may also feel uncomfortable
when wet and this might encourage a child to use the potty. To ensure sure
good hygiene, parents should teach children how to wipe appropriately and
to always wash their hands after using the potty.

Once daytime training has been mastered, nighttime training can be attempted.
A clue to a child's readiness for nighttime training is an occasional dry overnight
diaper. Nighttime training sometimes happens at the same time as daytime training.
However, many children may take longer. As with daytime training, expect
accidents. In fact it is normal for children to wet the bed until the age of six.

If any concerns arise during toilet training, a parent can consult their health care
provider. There are many resource books available also. Some suggestions are:

What to Expect the Toddler Years by Arlene Eisenberg
Your Growing Child by Penelope Leach
Toilet Training, A Practical Guide to Daytime and Nighttime Training by Vicki Lansky.

The Fayette County Health Department also has handouts a parent can have
to learn more about toilet training.

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