Health notebook: Potty training
LONG BEFORE POTTY training starts you need to make sure that your little one knows what you’re talking about when you start talking about it. The easiest way to achieve this, is to show her what you mean by letting your child join you when you visit the loo. By watching what you do, she learns to get used to the idea and the vocabulary. So, decide which words you’re going to use, and narrate what you’re doing.
It probably works best if Mom is the role model for her daughter and Dad is the role model for his son, as things obviously work slightly differently. Buy a stable and solid potty or one of those toilet-seat adjusters and a step. Also get a step to enable easy access to the basin.
Initially let your child try out the seat or potty fully clothed, and even give teddy a chance to see what the seat feels like.
Let her know that when she’s a little older she can start to use it properly, so the idea has some time to sink in. Remember, toddlers need a lot of repetition before they understand anything, and it makes them feel safe when they know what to expect.
SIGNS THAT YOUR CHILD IS READY
Starting too early is a waste of time and just leads to frustration for both of you. Your child’s nervous system has to develop to the point where she recognises signs of a full bladder and realises that she has some control and the capacity to hold back until she’s on the potty. This usually occurs somewhere between 18 and 24 months. And, it can easily take another year before you can declare potty success. Pay attention, and you will see that at some point your child will show that she’s aware of a poo happening while it is happening or immediately afterward. She might use the words for it, start fidgeting or start to touch the area, or go somewhere quiet to bear down. If she doesn’t have words for what is happening, you need to supply them. Another sign of readiness is a nappy that stays dry for longer. Your child should also be able to pull her own pants up and down by the time you start with the lessons.
GET GOING
Choose a peaceful time to start. It’s usually easier in summer, because it’s warmer and easier to spend time half naked, allowing your child to feel and see what is happening in greater comfort than in winter. Add some extra motivation by buying appealing undies. Give her a few minutes on the potty at specific times of the day.
Five minutes should do. If she struggles to sit still for that long, you can give her a book to look at or play some music. If nothing happens, don’t react – just get on with the day. If something does happen, make a happy fuss! Don’t let little accidents put you off at all. Clean up with as little drama as possible. If you’re going out, you can put her back in some pull-ups for the outing.
KEEP IT CLEAN
Hygiene is, of course, of the utmost importance. In the early phase where you are being the role model, be sure to always wash hands and explain why. Stay with your child while she is on the potty or toilet and gently teach her to keep her hands where they won’t get dirty. When you’re celebrating that something has been produced, make sure she doesn’t touch it. Don’t shame her for wanting to touch.
Just say that it’s healthy and clean not to touch. Always wipe your child – flushable wipes come in handy in this instance – after every session, whether it ended in success or not. This way she learns about the hygiene routine that will be practised for life. She’s still too small to wipe herself. In fact, it is likely that you will need to do the wiping even up to Grade 1. Always wipe from front to back. Make sure there is no more dripping before pulling up the pants. If using a potty, carry the contents to the toilet and flush. Your child is too small to help. Be aware that many toddlers are scared of flushing toilets. Proceed with caution.