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When To Start Potty Training A Baby: Some Important Tips

When To Start Potty Training A Baby: Some Important Tips

Toilet training is not an easy job. It is not done in a single day, it may take so long to train a baby. Most parents think about when to start potty training a baby. And the answer is not numerical but theoretical. You have to detect the cues from your toddler about being ready for toilet training. Some kids show readiness between 1-2 years, but others may show when they reach their 3rd birthday.

In this blog, we will discuss signs that a baby shows about readiness for toilet training, things that can trouble potty training, and some quite important tips for successful potty training.

In the end, we have shared a resource for you to purchase if you want.

Detecting Signs For Toilet Training

When to start potty training your baby? It is a very common question for parents who have babies. And the answer is not the same for everyone, there is “not an exact potty training age” to start potty training. Many parents want their children to enjoy an easy life. Diapers are good but still, but dirty diaper causes rash, dirt, and infections if not changed at the proper intervals.

Infant potty training varies for every child, family, and culture. Still, if you see any single sign in your child which depicts infant potty basics and readiness, do not waste the time. Starting potty training at this time can be very easy and assures toilet training success. Because it is not good practice to delay toilet training. Some of the important signs which depict potty training readiness are mentioned below:

  • pull his trousers up or down
  • child sit in a potty position to become a potty train
  • can follow instructions
  • the child shows a routine of soft and easy bowel movement
  • the child shows signs like getting irritated when the diaper is on
  • The baby can Respond to the Instructions
  • has a dry diaper even after two hours
  • tell about pee or poop with gestures or words
  • shows interest to use the toilet

Pull His Trousers Up or Down

If you are a parent of a baby it is very natural to think about when to begin toilet training. And when it comes to the process and achieving toilet training, it requires great patience. Because patience bears good fruits. You need to wait and observe if your baby showing signs of potty training. Some parents start forcing babies and begin potty training due to family pressure but that is not fine at all.

There is no best potty training age and it is not a verbal task it requires physical maturity. According to the American academy of pediatrics, you can start to potty train your child once your child gets physical maturity for potty training. When your child learns to pull his trousers up and down then he is ready to potty train. My two-year baby pulls her trousers down when she needs to pass stool.

Therefore, it is easy for both me and my baby to begin potty training. Because he is able to give me a clear cue for the toilet and I can take him quickly. And he is under potty training nowadays. So, I recommend parents observe their babies keenly and when they show this sign, then they are ready to potty train.

child sit in a potty position to become a potty train

One of the most important points to keep in mind is that there is no right or fixed child’s age to begin toilet training. It is training that requires a complex set of physical and verbal skills. As a parent, you can sense better the right time to start potty training. Because parents know their baby very well.

But you have to wait at least one year after the birth or two. You have to observe for a few weeks that can your baby sit in a potty position. Or what you can do is before potty training teach him to sit in a potty position. Once his muscles get strong and he becomes able to sit in a potty position then you can start potty training quickly. Healthy children achieve this milestone and show signs of readiness for early training.

can follow instructions

Taking a baby out of diapers is so relaxing for both parents and the baby. But when to start potty training a baby? Talk to your baby, give him instructions, and watch out if is he following you. When your baby starts following your instructions, it means your child is developmentally ready to get potty trained.

A toddler is following instructions of his parents.
A toddler is following instructions of his parents.

Peer-reviewed studies confirmed that the instructions should be very simple like stay away, come to me, sit down, etc. If your child is following such simple instructions, it means he is showing another sign for potty training. And you can immediately start training of your child. According to the American academy of pediatrics, girls learn to use the toilet earlier than boys.

the child shows a routine of soft and easy bowel movement

Parents play a very vital role in potty training. They have to talk about potty training and must tell kids it is important to be like adults. Parents can read stories related to potty training. They can buy a small and attractive potty for the baby to attract him to potty training. Moreover, parents need to observe the bowel or poop in the diaper.

If babies are showing a routine in passing stool then parents can start potty training. Like they only poop in the morning or in the evening, parents must keep the record. And once that time arrives parents should start talking and asking him about poop. Whether either baby responds or not they must make him sit on the potty.

It will help the baby to know that this is the place to pass stool. Once he gets used to it, the baby will demand himself to place on the potty. Sometimes, they sit independently to avoid a mess in the diaper.

the child shows signs like getting irritated when the diaper is on

Potty training demands a high alert observation and power struggle from parents. They must keep an eye on their baby all the time to teach child a new skill. If the baby gets irritated when the diaper is on it is a big sign to start potty training. When a baby shows irritation after the diaper gets wet or soiled parents should start potty training.

you must observe your infant keenly to answer the question when to start potty training a baby
Baby’s expressions are telling that he is about to pass stool.

These signs are easy answers to the parent’s question about when to start potty training a baby. Parents can also observe the facial expressions of their babies. When they feel that the baby is getting pressure to pass stool, they should place him on the potty.

Because an infant cannot hold the potty long as compare to the older toddlers. It would moreconvenient for the baby to pass stool on the potty. these are some of the most beneficial parenting tips especially regarding to the potty training.

The baby can Respond to the Instructions

Although potty training is a physical activity still it involves verbal communication. If a baby is able to respond to your instructions, then it is the right time to start potty training. These instructions can be of two or three words. For instance, come here, sit on the chair, sit on the potty, etc. And he responds to you like “No I don’t want “, or “ok”.

His response will be very cooperative to stress-free toilet training. As a team, you can achieve a diaper-free, adult-like life ahead.

has a dry diaper even after two hours

Most parents do not understand this big sign for potty training. If a baby leaves the diaper dry even after two hours parents get worried. They think he is not drinking much water or he is sick. But if your baby is healthy and doing all the activities rightly he is totally fine.

A toddle is showing dry diaper even in the night
A toddle is showing dry diaper even in the night time.

And the dry diaper explains the maturity of your baby. Now he is able to hold his pee for two or more hours. As a parent, if you are still thinking about when to start potty training a baby? Then this is a very big sign to start it.

tell about pee or poop with gestures or words

If your baby is quite expressive then it is a very helpful sign for potty training. It is observed that expressive kids get potty trained in a shorter time than non-expressive. They can tell about the need to visit the toilet with verbal or nonverbal cues. These cues are very helpful for parents to train their babies.

Babies can say poo or wee, can point to their potty chair, pull their trousers down, etc. Parents should respond quickly to these signs. And they should encourage their babies on their little achievements. Because this appreciation helps the baby to do more progress in potty training.

shows interest to use the toilet

If your baby shows interest to visit the toilet then use it in a good way. Make him introduce about the toilet equipment. Tell him about the use of a commode, sink, soap, etc. Don’t feel awkward while talking to your baby. Because he will listen and understand if not today then tomorrow.

when to start potty training a baby, start it when he shows interest in toilet.
When to start potty training a baby, start it when he shows interest in toilet.

So, grasp this big sign as a helping tool. Make toilet training fun and positive. If your baby takes an interest to visit the toilet, start potty training quickly. It would be helpful for both parents and the baby.

Things That Can Trouble Potty Training

When do you start potty training a baby boy or when do you start potty training a baby girl? These are the same questions that do not have numeric answers. Again we have to observe the sign from the baby to start potty training. In this section, I’ll point out some problems which can cause trouble in potty training.

  • fear of toilet
  • fear of flush out sound
  • constipation
  • painful poop or pee
  • interval in potty training like traveling etc.
  • delay or negligence by parents
  • accidental mess by kids on the floor
  • change of the trainer

These things can make a baby shy or afraid. And can step back in the process of potty training.

Important Tips for Successful Potty Training

Conclusion

All this discussion would be very helpful for the new and already parents. They can train their babies in a very friendly and positive environment. Because diaper-free life is more enjoyable. And potty training is a very first and a big step toward adulthood. You can purchase a complete Potty training guide here.

We would be very happy to hear from you in the comments sections of our Facebook page. You can also visit our Quora page. Feel free to leave your comments and queries about your experiences!!!

About The Author

Qurratulain Nabeel

This is QURRATULAIN - an M.Phil in Applied Psychology. Being a mother of two I tried to put my knowledge into practice, which proved very beneficial for me. By using the platform of Mychildwellbeing.com I am so pleased to share my experience with people all around the world.

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