The potty training process can be a daunting task for any parent, but it’s especially hard for new moms. You’re still adjusting to your toddler’s new traits, running behind your little one, and trying to figure out how the heck you are going to get anything done with this little person who is constantly attached to your side. It gets even more difficult when you start potty training because potty training takes time and patience – something that’s in short supply at the moment! But there are ways around it – 12 ways actually! Here are some potty training tips for parents trying to potty train their toddlers from a mom who has faced the music recently. Don’t forget to download the reward charts at the end of the blog post!
What is Potty Training and Why is it so Important?
The potty training process is when you train your toddler to use the toilet in place of diapers. It’s a long, arduous process but it is extremely important for several reasons. First and foremost, if your toddler uses the bathroom on him or herself during sleep at night – which can be anywhere between age two years old to five years old – they can significantly reduce their risk of developing urinary tract infections (UTIs). Secondly, potty training helps your toddler learn how to be more independent and manage their own body functions. Finally, it sets the stage for future toilet habits so that they won’t have any trouble using the bathroom when they start school.
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12+ Surprising Tips to Potty Train Your Toddler Without Losing Your Mind As a New Mom
Grab a piece of paper and a pencil or pen, because you are going to want to write down these amazing potty training tips for parents who are trying to train their toddlers to use the potty without losing their minds. To get you started on your potty training journey, below you will find 12+ surprising and life-saving tips to potty training your toddler without losing your mind and your peace:
1) The first step to potty training is making sure your toddler can use the toilet properly.
Your toddler should be able to sit on the potty for at least five minutes without needing to get off, and he or she should also know how to aim into the toilet (this can be taught).
– Aiming is hard! Make sure your kid knows that it’s ok if they miss – this will save you hours of cleaning up soiled laundry!
2) Be patient! It may take weeks or months before you see any progress in potty training.
Nothing is going to happen if you don’t have the patience for it. Patience, patience, and more patience! It’s not always easy but seriously – so worth it in the end!
3) Make it fun! Put stickers, treats, or other prizes on the toilet seat (or in front of it) for when they successfully go potty.
I know, I know – this is not exactly what you want to hear when potty training your toddler! You just wanted someone to tell you that it’s going to be easy-peasy right? Well, tough luck because the only thing that will work here is bribery and treats! After all, kids are usually more motivated by treats than the time it takes to train with them. My daughter is obsessed with stickers so I know using stickers on her potty reward chart helps!
4) Teach them that they can always ask for help if they need someone to take them to the bathroom.
This is probably one of the most important potty training tips for toddlers. Adults usually have a bladder capacity that is much larger than children, so if your child feels the need to use the washroom right this second then let them go! Don’t wait until they explode in their pants – you’ll regret it later when mommy has to deal with the clean-up!
5) Avoid giving too much attention if they have an accident – just clean up and move on with the day.
This is a tough one because, as parents, we want to comfort our kids when they’re feeling bad about themselves. But if you give too much attention then it will only make them feel worse and prolong the potty training process. Just clean up their mess and move on with your day – accidents happen and that’s ok!
6) If you’re worried about accidents at night time, put a potty next to their bed so that they know where it is.
This is a great potty training tip for toddlers who are still wetting the bed at night. Having a potty next to their bed will make it easier for them to go to the bathroom without having to get up and walk all the way to the bathroom.
7) Get a potty seat that’s designed for toddlers to make it more comfortable and fun for them.
Potty seats are great because they’re designed to fit on top of an adult toilet seat, so it’s easy for your toddler to get on and off the potty without any problem. It also helps them feel more grown-up! Plus, there are usually fun designs that will help make potty training even more exciting!
8) Make sure your toddler is wearing the right size underwear – if they’re too big, they might not feel like sitting on the toilet.
This is a common potty training mistake that parents make – they buy their toddler too big of underwear in the hopes that it will motivate them to stop wetting their pants. But this usually backfires because the child will just continue to wet their pants since they don’t feel like sitting on the uncomfortable toilet seat. Make sure you’re buying the right size of underwear for your toddler!
Supportive undergarments such as training pants can help make potty training a little bit more comfortable for them.
These are great because they have a built-in absorbent layer that will help to catch any accidents, so you don’t have to worry about cleaning up any messes. Plus, they come in a variety of fun designs that your toddler will love!
9) Give them an incentive by giving them a small toy or treat after every successful trip to the bathroom
This is a great way to keep your toddler motivated throughout the potty training process. Every time they go potty, give them a small toy or treat as a reward! You don’t have to break the bank either, you can take your child on a trip to dollar tree and have them select a toy from the toy section for just $1.
10) Don’t pressure your child into going when they don’t want to – sometimes going can be difficult and uncomfortable for young children.
This is definitely one of the most important potty training tips for toddlers. You want to avoid pressuring your child into going when they don’t feel like it, even if you know that they need to go urgently! Sometimes pressure can make things worse and cause an accident – so just be patient with them and wait until they’re ready. If they’re not ready, that’s ok!
11) Try different rewards until you find something that works best for your little one
This is another great potty training tip for toddlers. Some parents prefer to give their child a new toy after every successful trip to the bathroom, while others will offer them candy or chocolate as a reward. Try different rewards until you find something that works best for your little one!
12) When they have an accident, don’t punish them – just clean up the mess together and move on
This is a very important potty training tip for parents because you don’t want your child to get discouraged and give up. If they have an accident, just clean it up together with them without any punishment or negative consequences – accidents happen! Then move on from there. There will be plenty of time in the future when you can teach them the importance of not having an accident.
Download FREE Reward Chart for Potty Training
Don’t forget to download these FREE Reward Chart to assist and motivate your toddler during potty training below:
FAQs About Potty Training Tips and Tricks for Toddlers
Below, you will find common and frequently asked questions about potty training tips for parents when it comes down to potty training your toddler:
How do you encourage potty training?
You can encourage potty training by rewarding your child for using the toilet. You can give them a small toy or treat after every successful trip to the bathroom. Give your child some words of encouragement this is perfect especially if their love language is words of affirmations.
What is the easiest way to potty train a toddler?
The easiest way to potty train a toddler is by using undergarments such as training pants. These are great because they have a built-in absorbent layer that will help catch any accidents so you don’t have to worry about cleaning up any messes. Some parents also believe allowing their child to go commando for the day while potty training helps the process as well.
How do I know if my child isn’t ready for potty training?
If your child is not ready for potty training, they will usually show one or more of the following signs:
- Refusal to sit on the toilet
- Lack of interest in using the potty
- Having accidents even after being consistently potty trained during the day
- Showing anxiety about using the toilet.
If you feel like your child is not ready, it’s best to hold off until they are comfortable with the idea of going to the toilet and understanding that their body produces waste that must be disposed of in a certain way. You will know when they’re ready!
What is the average age for a toddler to be potty trained?
Most toddlers are potty trained between the ages of 18 and 24 months old. However, there is a wide range of normal development and some children may be ready as early as 12 months or as late as 36 months. If your child is not showing any interest in using the toilet by 24 months old, it’s best to consult with their pediatrician to rule out any underlying medical issues.
How do you get toddler to tell you they have to potty?
You can get your toddler to tell you they have to potty by using a visual timer that shows them how long is left before it’s time for their next trip. You can then set this on the wall or table near where they are playing so they will see it throughout the day. This way, whenever there is less than x number of minutes left on the timer, they will know that it’s time to go to the bathroom.
Last Thing You Need To Know About Potty Training Tips for Parents when Training Your Toddler to Use the Potty
The last thing you need to know about potty training tips for parents when training a toddler is that it’s important to be patient. It will take some time for your child to get used to the idea of using the toilet, so don’t expect them to be fully potty trained overnight. Be consistent with their potty training routine and have patience. They will get the hang of it soon!
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