Ready to Ditch Those Diapers? | Potty Training Tips and Tricks

With potty training being a pretty important (and unavoidable) stage in your child’s development, it leaves most moms asking one question. When?

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While some parents choose a specific age, 18 months, 2 years, or even 2 ½ years+, another way to decide the perfect time to potty train is to watch for your child to show you signs that they’re ready. Here are some of the signs that show your toddler is ready to potty train, as well as some potty training tips and tricks to get you started.

Signs That It’s Time Time for Some Potty Training

If you are watching for signs that your toddler is ready to start potty training, here are a couple of things to keep a lookout for:

Does your child take pride in their accomplishments? Do you hear things like, “Look at this, “ or “I can do it myself” regularly? If you’ve answered yes, this could be a sign your child is ready to start potty training. If not, you can start doing little things to help push your child towards some independence. For instance, if you have a small animal, you can let them feed them regularly, giving them a small task that is only theirs can help instill some independence and give your child a sense of accomplishment.
Do you notice your child is waking up from nap time with a dry diaper more often? This could be a sign from their body telling you they are ready. Toddlers have small bladders, so learning that bladder control could be a definite sign they are ready to begin potty training.
Your child doesn’t like wearing dirty diapers. You will notice there comes a point when your child will start to become uncomfortable wearing a dirty diaper and may even ask you to change them. If your child doesn’t reach this stage, do not be discouraged. All children are different, and some are just too busy in their lives to worry about a little discomfort.
You can’t pee alone. At first, it could just be because your child follows you everywhere and wants to be near you always, but you’ll soon notice it turn more into curiosity. They’ll begin to show an interest, wanting to know what you are doing, and that dreaded question – “Why?”

With all of that being said, all children are not the same. Each child develops differently, so while they may not show the exact signs we’ve listed here, or may only some of them, you may still feel it’s time to start potty training. Trust your instincts, Mama. All potty training is not created equal, but there are some tips and tricks that could help you along the way!

First, you’ll need at least 1 potty chair. If you have multiple bathrooms or travel a lot, you may want to invest in a travel chair or at least one with a detachable seat that you can take places with you. Sometimes, having a fun urinal for boys helps, as it gives them something to aim at as well as something fun to look at while they practice.

Next, you’ll need to invest in training pants or washable training underwear. I personally like the washable ones, mainly because it’s a lot more uncomfortable for the toddler to have wet underwear than have wet training pants after an accident. Some people prefer disposable ones. They are easier to change when accidents happen since you can just tear the sides and toss them in the trash.

You might also want to get your toddler a potty chart with incentives. These are nice because it is not only a visual your child can see but also rewards your child for success. Some parents use candy as an incentive, but some potty charts come with stickers you can use, or you can always choose your own incentive.

I’ve also kept children’s books, usually potty books, in the bathroom because let’s face it, it doesn’t always come right away. This helps to pass the time, plus makes it a more pleasant experience for everyone.

Now that we have what we need, let’s get potty training! Now, before you start celebrating and getting rid of all of the diapers, get your toddler ready. Set the stage for them, and get them excited. You know, something along the lines of telling them “We’re going to have a celebration on Sunday, that’s the day we’re going to start using the potty”. Your toddler may not be happy about it at first and may need some reassurance. Give them reminders throughout the day, that Sunday is the day. Once you’ve picked your day, that’s the day, stick with it.

Set a time to take them to the bathroom. If you ask your toddler if they have to go potty, chances are they will most likely tell you no, regardless of if they have to go or not. Set a time, for example, every 2 hours, and take them to the potty. This will get them used to going to the bathroom regularly. Just know, not every time is going to be productive, but that’s okay, it is a learning process.

Remember accidents happen. When an accident happens, make sure you reassure your child that it’s okay and that they’ll get it next time. Take them into the bathroom and change the soiled underwear in there. Doing this can help show them that these things get taken care of in the bathroom.

Each kid is different, what works with one may not work with another. The key is to stick with it, and while it may take time, it will happen. We hope these potty training tips and tricks were helpful.