Potty Training 101

So you have decided you have had enough of diapers, messy poop, and laundry due to spills. You want to potty train, but you have no idea where to get started. You have heard horror stories from your friends and on baby forums. I know, I have been there. So lets talk about some potty training basics.

When to start potty training?

Somewhere between 18 and 24 months (22 months is the magic number for most) You can start potty trainingbefore then but your child may not be ready in terms of bowel and bladder control. They also may not have the physical and cognitive skills to take their pants off in time.

What are some signs of potty training readiness?

• Your toddler can stay dry for a 2 hour stretch and occasionally wakes up dry.
• He can pull his pants down, or understand simple undressing.
• Has regular predictable bowel movements.
• Understands simple directions.
• Can sit still for 2-5 minutes.
• Understands bathroom lingo such as "pee" or "poop".
• Shows interest in learning and is curious about your bathroom habits.

Here is a quiz you can take to see if your child is ready for the potty. You will get a report back within a minute. QUIZ

Potty training boys and girls. Is there a difference?

Yes there is a difference in potty training  boys and girls, for obvious reasons. There are some techniques and methods that work better for boys, and some work better for potty training girls. Carol Cline does an excellent job explaining this in her Start Potty Training Program.

So how do I start potty training?

• "Pre-train" your child for a couple of weeks before you start. Teach him about wiping, flushing, etc. Show him what a potty or toilet is, how and when to use it.
• Get your child excited about potty training. Go pick out a special potty together. Let him know he will not be needing diapers any more.
• Have a reward system ready. Whether it's stickers, songs, or a special toy that gets your child excited. Whatever it is, have it ready and make a big deal about it.

How do I tackle potty training?

Chances are if you have landed on my site, you are thinking about starting potty training or you have already started, and feel kind of lost. So I have put together an article that goes over some popular potty training methods, to guide you through the process. Check it out.

Guest Blog by Violet Giannone, Registered Nurse and Owner of Tots and Kids 101

Violet Giannone is a Registered Nurse, a member of the Association of Professional Sleep Consultants, as well as a professional member of The National Sleep Foundation. She has also written articles for parenting websites such as What to Expect When You're Expecting. Violet started her website to help parents who were experiencing the same issues she had with her first daughter, Brianna. When Brianna was born, she wouldn't sleep at all at night. Violet became exhausted, frustrated, and was at her wit’s end. She knew she had to do something so she studied every single sleep training method, sleep book, and program out there. She relied on her nursing knowledge of sleep cycles, disturbances, and how sleep works. She tried different methods and tweaked things until…ta-da! Brianna was sleeping through the night.

Since then, Violet has helped many families through the information on her blog, as well as on an individual basis. She maintains a blog to help parents with potty training and potty training tips. She loves sharing all that she has learned with other parents. She knows firsthand how important sleep is to be able to function and take care of your day-to-day responsibilities. She now has over 150,000 parents visit her site each month!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Interested in writing a guest blog for Sleeping Baby? Send your topic idea to pr@sleepingbaby.com.

All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Sleeping Baby makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, current-ness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.