How to teach a child to potty - tips and action plan

Accustoming to a pot causes fear not only of parents. Most often, children regard this prospect by no means from a positive side. The whole process takes a lot of time, and in most cases - weeks.

Training and safety

Before you begin to accustom a child to a pot, you need to follow a few rules that will secure the baby.

• Check pot for stability. He should not swing.
• Do not leave the child alone. Firstly, even with a steady pot, the baby can fall. Secondly, children are direct and can use their stool in creativity.
• Lay a slip resistant warm foam mat under the pot. This will help him to be more stable and the baby's legs will be warm.
• Invite the baby to choose the pot yourself. Then he will be more willing to get down to business to try out the purchase.

From what age to teach to a pot

The training period varies widely. Some begin with early infancy, holding the crumbs over the basin or over the bath. Others are waiting for the moment when the baby himself will understand what the pot is for.

At what age to master, decide the parents themselves. But it is worth remembering that until 12-18 months the baby does not yet control the filling of the bladder and intestines, so experts recommend starting after this period. This is preceded by several factors that should be the main signal that the child is ready:

• The child is able to sit on his own, squatting, getting up from the "half-squat" position.
  He is interested in imitation of adults, the use of the toilet.
• May remain dry for more than 2 hours.
• Do not urinate during daytime sleep.
• Empty the intestines at approximately the same time interval.
• He understands the appeal to him about the offer to visit the toilet.
• It can express its needs through babble, gestures, simplified words.

Often put as an example those parents whose child goes to the potty in 7-10 months. They begin to accustom them almost from birth, holding above the basin. But this is not a real skill. It is due to the developed reflex to certain sounds ("letter-letter", "aaaa") or actions (to blow on the genitals, to click with a finger and so on).

You should not start the process during the so-called "first year crisis", which takes place in about 10-14 months. Some babies who "know how" to walk on the potty per year sharply refuse to do this at a transitional moment. The most suitable is 15-18 months. If you wait two years, when the baby begins to understand the relationship of things, the explanations of the parents and control their feelings, then the training will be much faster and without negative emotional overloads.

The listed age periods are approximate, since each child is individual. This directly depends on the state of health, the capabilities of the crumbs and other factors.

How to choose the right pot

A wide variety of pots in children's stores can confuse not only the baby, but also the adult. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, which can play a negative role.

Classic pot

For girls, they usually take a round shape, since in this case it is more convenient for her to move her legs. For boys, a slightly elongated oval shape is chosen. So his opposite legs will be spread apart, and the genitals will not be pinched by the hips. Usually such a model is used in kindergartens. If you are going to send crumbs to a manger, this option is optimal.

Potty stool

A kind of classic pot. Its base is a chair with a hole in the middle, where the container is inserted. It can be with a cover, like imitation of a toilet bowl.

Musical

It appeared relatively recently. He reacts with a melody to the ingress of liquid. This pleases the baby. However, such a choice is not the best, since a conditioned reflex to the inherent music is developed. Therefore, hearing the same melody on the street, he can soak his panties.

Toy pot

To attract attention and interest, many parents choose a pot in the form of animals or cars. Their varieties are great, some with additional features like scoring or highlighting. But this species has a significant drawback. Being distracted and sitting on it, the baby worsens his health. Long sitting in this position causes stagnation of blood in the pelvic organs, and can provoke inflammation.

Transformer pot

This type is very convenient, since at first it can be used as a regular pot, and then, after disassembling, you get a stand for the toilet in the form of a ladder and a small "seat" on it. It is small in size and compact.

Travel pot

This sample is good in that you can take it with you on short trips and walks, including a clinic. When folded, it is an ordinary flat seat. If necessary, legs extend below, a disposable bag is attached, which is subsequently folded and thrown away. To avoid incidents, before using in public places, practice at home a couple of times, so that the child gets used to it.

Although the choice is great, you should start with the simplest models, given the anatomical features of the boy or girl.

Pot is preferable to buy from plastic. Wooden and metal are very rare, but they are inconvenient to use for several reasons. A tree has the ability to collect dirt and germs in microcracks. The metal is too cold, which can cause the genitals to freeze.

Step-by-step training plan in 7 days

This type of training is relevant only from 18 months. It takes only a week, but requires sufficient perseverance on the part of the parents. In addition, you need to give occupation all day, so you should free yourself from other worries.

1 day

In the morning, change your diapers to panties. The kid needs to be explained that he is old enough for them. Introduce the pot by drawing an analogy with the toilet used by adults. You can demonstrate how you use it. Next, you should sit the child on the pot every 30-40 minutes. The main thing is to keep it on it for 2-3 minutes. To do this, use various toys and devices. But they do it without violence, so as not to scare off interest. The baby needs to get used to his feelings.

2 day

Continue to instill skills as on the first day. In this case, sitting on the pot increases in time. Also look at the reaction of the baby. As soon as signs of need appear, suggest sitting on a pot. Most likely, he will not refuse. But if you do not want, you can use a plastic vessel or basin. Then again explain the need for the procedure.

If a child soaks or stains his pants, do not scold him. We can say that it is unpleasant to be in this form.

3 day

Refusal of the pot occurs not only at home, but also on a walk. Before leaving the house, take the baby to the toilet. Then go for a walk. You can take the pot with you, or you can not go far from home and, if necessary, return to visit the toilet.

4 day

Usually by this day the child understands the need of the pot and gladly addresses his need for it. But parental control is still required, as it can be forgotten during a game or entertainment. Also, immediately after waking up, take it to the toilet, because during sleep, the bladder becomes full.

5, 6 and 7 days

These days, the acquired skills are consolidated. Parents monitor the baby, reminding him of the need to visit the toilet.

With each independent victory in this process, loud praise is needed, with each slip - a silent change of clothes.

Not every child copes with a pot according to this scheme. Some refuse to go to him and continue to write and poop into his underpants. There is nothing to worry about. Postpone classes for a short time, prepare for subsequent studies.

Methodology of Dr. Komarovsky

The famous doctor Oleg Evgenievich Komarovsky advises to begin the education no earlier than 2-2.5 years, when the child will be more or less ready for this both psychologically and physiologically.

First of all, you need to introduce the baby to the potty. Explain why it is needed. Plant immediately after sleep, food, before a walk and after. And just when they understood - it's time. In these cases, the success of the case is most likely. And then you should praise. But if there was a mistake, you need to keep silent.

At the age of 2 years, the child knows how to take off and put on shorts and pantyhose. Therefore, the emphasis is not on the pot itself, but on the sequential process: first, the pot is taken, pantyhose, panties are removed, sits down, does its job, gets up, gets better and tells parents what it did. This can be turned into an interesting game that the child will like, and he will continue to do it of his own free will.

A visit to the toilet should gradually fit into the daily routine. In this case, a complete rejection of diapers is not recommended. It can be used for night and daytime sleep, cold walks and long trips. But if the child woke up dry, you need to urgently put him on the potty and praise him for such an "act."

Some babies immediately prefer the toilet. But this aspect is not so important. In this case, it’s more important to choose a seat for a small priest and a stand, so that the crumb is easier to climb there. In particular, this is a positive option for boys, as writing there is more convenient. In this case, the example of the pope, which shows how "real men" do it, helps a lot.

Features of teaching children of different ages and sex

Teaching a child to a potty from birth requires a lot of time and attention of the mother. It is necessary to monitor the manifestations of the needs of the crumbs: it knocks over with legs, begins to fidget, etc. Gradually, the mother knows the approximate time intervals. But experts do not approve of such training. They consider this a developed reflex to repetitive actions.

At 12-18 months of age, learning can be complicated by the crisis of the first year, when the child begins to become aware of himself as a person, and tries to resist all parental teachings. Even if the baby has previously mastered such a skill, he may stop sitting on the potty and relieve himself of his underpants. There is no need to scold the little man for this, his psyche is not fully formed and a delicate approach is required.

It is a completely different matter when the baby is 2-2.5 years old. At this age, the child understands the parents, the words and explanations addressed to him. In this case, you can talk with him, explain the need to visit the toilet room and maintain hygiene.

But depending on gender, the success of accustoming to the pot is not noticed. Yes, each child is individual. But just as a boy can start using toiletry on his own, so a girl can get ahead of him in this difficult matter. There is only variability in the choice of pot, since it is preferable for boys with a ledge in front so that the "pisyun" does not rise up.

Problems and difficulties

It happens that the training took place normally and suddenly, at one moment the child screams and refuses to sit on the potty. There can be many reasons for this. One of them is a cold surface, which created discomfort and discomfort.

Do not force to sit on a pot. Not only does this cause a wild disgust for him, it can also damage health.

The process is best carried out in a calm environment, without harsh sounds and "haste". Then he will be able to concentrate.

The crisis of the first year, which has been mentioned many times, also causes failure ...

Problems can arise for the following reasons:

• The birth of a subsequent child, which distracts parents from the ward.
• Changing of the living place.
• Negative family atmosphere.
• Various diseases and ailments.
• The crisis of three years associated with the manifestation of independence and disobedience.
• Reprimands, screams.
• Other stressful situations.

It often happens that the mother tries to accustom the baby to the pot as follows - he pisses, and she sharply grabs him and places him on the pot. This scares the child and causes a negative reaction.

Useful Tips

To teach a child to potty, there are several useful tips that can help you succeed.

• Proceed best in the warmer months to reduce the likelihood of colds.
• Praise for any good fortune and be silent when making a mistake.
• In order not to be afraid to disturb the order, carpets are cleaned from the floors, oilcloth spreads on the beds and sofas.
• Do not do two things at once: sitting on a potty and watching TV or eating.
• The child must be healthy, and in a good mood.
• Do not hold it by force.
• Take away the diapers for the daytime and stock up with enough rags to wipe the puddles behind it.
• During the training period, it is better to use soft panties or panties that can be easily removed.
• Do not leave naked to the baby accustomed to the process of taking off clothes.
• Do not create from the natural process a peculiar ritual accompanied by certain moments. This can contribute to reflex response at the most inopportune moment.
• At first, you need to remind the child of the need to visit the toilet.

Teaching a child to a potty is a long-term process, requiring great returns from parents. You need to prepare for it mentally, realizing that success will not come instantly. No need to look and equalize with other children who "go to the pot themselves from 6 months." Your child is unique and his skill will come at the right time.

Watch the video: How to Potty Train Autistic Child in 3 Days? (December 2024).