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How to Get Started

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Once your child shows the signs he or she is ready to get started potty training it is important to remember that the process takes patience and your child won't be potty trained overnight. Listed below are some helpful tips to get your child started on the road to potty training:

• Purchase a Potty Chair or Seat: Potty chairs are kid sized and usually tend to be a little less intimidating than big toilets. However some children do well learning on the big toilet, in these cases a potty seat that makes the seat opening smaller in order for the child to sit comfortably on the toilet are a good idea.
• Introducing the Potty: For younger children who may be a little more reluctant to actually sit on the potty a good time to introduce the potty is at bath time when he or she is already unclothed. With older children taking them into the restroom and showing them their potty chair or seat and explaining that when they need to go this is where they'll use the bathroom is a good first step.
• Sitting on the Potty: The first time or two it is a good idea for the parent to take the child into the restroom and have them sit on the potty and try to use the restroom. Whether they actually do or not isn't important, the point is getting them used to the action of coming into the restroom and sitting on the potty.
• Don't Push: For many parents it is hard to resist the urge to push their child when potty training. But it is important to remember that the child will be more successful if he or she is allowed to make the process at his or her own pace.
• Offer Praise: This is a big step for kids to take so having positive reinforcement from their parents is vital in the success of potty training. Whenever a child moves to a new phase of the training or even when they attempt to use the toilet regardless of whether they were successful or not it is good to offer praise.
• Have Patience: It is important to remember not to become angry at a child if he or she has an accident. Punishment for an accident can be a major setback in the training. Instead of becoming mad after an accident try calming talking to the child and explaining that next time they need to sit on the potty when they have to go.
• Ditch the Diapers: Once the child has started the potty training process switch from diapers to training pants. Training pants are designed to be easy for children to get on and off quickly and they also do not absorb moisture the way diapers do. This becomes important if a child happens to have an accident; they will feel the wetness much quicker than they would in a diaper and be uncomfortable with it which will help them learn to make it to the toilet. Panties and underwear should not be introduced until the child is completely potty trained.
• Resist the Urge to Nag: Constantly asking a child if they need to use the restroom could have the opposite effect in which it is intended to. Children can resist the potty training if they are continually asked if they need to go or they can begin to tune it out all together which can result in accidents. A good rule to go by is to observe your child and watch for signs they need to use the bathroom such as swaying from side to side or holding themselves. When that happens you can then ask them if they need to go.

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