Usually, kids start to exhibit signs that they are ready for potty training between the ages of 18-24 months. While some kinds may not be prepared until they are 3 years old and that is fine.
Therefore, before you consider beginning potty training for your infant, you need to keep a check on a few things, like is your child old enough to sit on the toilet seat or will they be able to understand and follow the basic directions you give them while training and most important will your child communicate with you when need to poop. If you are a parent and want to potty train your child at a young age, it may take some time, so it's best to begin when your child is just starting to sit.
Let’s see what Dr Atchara Venkatraman, Founder of Bump2cradle and Child development consultant advises.
The process of potty training should initially be driven by your child's incentive rather than your urgency. You need to be very patient throughout the process and avoid relating your child's progress with potty training to their intellect or rate of development. Additionally, your consistency will be important in the process, so plan it so that you or your caregiver can offer consistent time and attention over a longer period.
Things You Should Keep In Mind While Potty Training
Describe The Word “Poop”
Choose the words you will use to explain the word "poop" to your child first. Ignore using degrading terms like “dirty” or “stinky” because they might find them unpleasant and this will make potty training more difficult.
Create The Environment
Place a potty chair in the bathroom or, at first, wherever your kid spends the majority of his or her time. To begin, gradually encourage your kid to sit on the potty chair while dressed. Make sure your child's feet are on the floor or a bench. Begin by talking about the toilet in simple, positive words. You can also dump their dirty diapers into the potty chair and toilet in front of them to make them aware of the role of a toilet.
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Practice Potty Breaks
Make your child spend a short period on the toilet or potty chair without wearing a diaper every two hours, especially after lengthy periods of sleep and in the morning as they awaken. It is best not to compel your child to use the potty chair if they do not want to. Dr.Atchara Venkatraman suggests to praise your kid for making an effort, even if they just sit there and don't poop.
Make Use Of The Potty Chair
Use the potty chair if you see your kid squirming, squatting, or holding their privates as a sign that they might need to go to the bathroom. This will make it easier for your kid to recognize the signs that indicate when they need to use the restroom or a potty chair. Praise them once more when they are finished. In addition, instruct your kid to let you know when they need to pee or defecate. There is no rush, so if your kid fails to inform you, do not scold them instead advise them to call you whenever they want to poop or pee.
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Teach Hygiene
Teach your kid to wash their hands and genitalia after going potty. To make it simpler for them to learn about basic sanitation and its significance, you can either buy a kid's picture book or draw pictures.
Even though it may seem hectic to you as parents, you need to allow both your child and yourself the time to potty train. If your kid is not able do something, do not punish or scold them. Teach them politely.
