How to Potty Train Your Child

When you want to train your child to use a potty, you will get plenty of advice from friends and family members. They will want to tell you about the things they did when potty training their children. However, you should keep in mind the fact that what worked for one child may not work for another. This does not mean that the advice that you are given by others is not good. It simply means that you have to adapt your child’s unique needs and personality. If you have been trying to potty train your child without success, its highly likely that you are not doing things right. Here are 9 tips on how to potty train your child that will help;

1. Include high fiber foods in his/her meals

High fiber foods help in the control of constipation. Fiber helps in the retention of fluid in stool to make them easily passable. High fiber cereals are good sources of fiber. Sweet potatoes, broccoli, cabbage and spinach are also good sources of fiber. Give these foods to your child on a daily basis. Giving your child high fiber foods will not only help you with potty training, it is also a great way of introducing healthy foods into your child’s menu.

2. Do not involve many people in the training process

The person who stays with your child for the longest time and who teaches him/her different things should be the one who helps you to potty train him/her. Do not include many people in the training process. If your husband/wife, aunt or grandmother is the one helping you to potty train your child, make sure that you are always on the same page. Make sure that you are using the same potty training terms to avoid confusing the child.

3. Correct timing is very important

Potty training should only take place when both you and your child are ready. You should be read to commit. If you think that you don’t have the energy and time, it’s useless to start. You have to spend time with your child and to be involved in all the areas of learning to be able to tell whether he/she is ready to be potty trained.

4. Always congratulate him for each and every progress he makes

Always praise your child when he/she makes progress, no matter how small it is. Make a big deal out of every good step that your child takes. Praise your child if he/she tells you that he/she want too pee or poo. If accidents take place, praise him for telling you and reassure him that he will do better next time.

5. Allow you child to familiarize himself/herself with the toilet/bathroom before the training begins

You should have your child in the toilet when you are using it to make her start feeling comfortable while in the toilet. Let her do simple things like flushing so that she can feel relaxed every time she is in the toilet or bathroom. This will help a lot in making potty training a less stressful experience.

6. Give out different types of rewards

Reward your child every time he/she uses the potty. Figure out a rewarding system that is in line with your parenting style. Giving your child a sweet or two every time he uses the potty can work very well. Always give him a better reward if he wipes himself.

7. Make the process of changing diaper seem like a tedious job for both of you and your child

Make the process of changing a diaper seem tedious and ugly before you start teaching your daughter/son how to use a potty. Let him/her see how messy the diaper is when you take it off. This will make him start to feel that the potty provides a better option.

8. Maintain a positive attitude

You have to maintain a positive attitude throughout the training process. You should not be disappointed by the many accidents that might take place. It will take some time before your child masters the process of using a potty effectively.

9. Know when to take a break

Don’t force your child if he does not seem to learn what you are teaching him. Although you are advised to be persistent and patient when teaching him, you should take a break if you notice that the training results to stress and resistance. There may be other things that are making your child refuse to participate in potty training activities. You should postpone the training for at least a month and then try again using a using a different approach.