Potty training a toddler is a big milestone and at Sophisticated Standards, we’ve got all the research covered to make this transition more joyful. We’ve outlined some of the best tips and top concerns to make the potty training journey smoother.

 Read our Let’s Talk POTTY TRAINING for common signs of readiness and tips on successful training

For more method options and information, check out: POTTY TRAINING METHODS

WHAT TIPS CAN MAKE POTTY TRAINING A SUCCESS?

No matter the method chosen, these tips are for easing the transition from diapers to toilets.

• Remove the fear and prepare the child for the transition: Gradually introduce the toilet with prepping the child a few weeks in advance by talking frequently about the coming change. Kids need time to process any new change but you’ll be surprised to know that kids adapt quicker than adults. Start talking about potty training occasionally to pique interest and have them join you or a sibling on trips to the bathroom. Keep a few children's books about potty training to read with your child. Bring up the subject of the potty in conversation; saying things like, "I wonder if _____ [child's favorite stuffed animal or character] needs to go potty" or "I have to go pee-pee. I'm headed to the potty." The idea is to raise awareness about going potty and make the child comfortable with the overall concept before they're ready to potty train.

• Eliminate the diapers: Once you make the decision to start the process, get them excited about wearing their big boy/girl underwear. Even better, allow them to have plenty of naked time, if you’re comfortable with it. 

• Set aside the time: Prepare to spend most of the time at home focused on the child. Potty training takes time and effort; you have to pay constant attention to them so you can learn the cues that show they're about to go. Even if your child seems ready, avoid potty training during transitional or stressful times. If you're moving, taking a vacation, or adding a new baby to the family, postpone the potty training until after the transitional time. Children trying to learn this new skill will do best if they're relaxed and on a regular routine.

• Keep the fluids coming: Give your child slightly more fluids than normal, in the form of water, juice, popsicles, watermelon, etc. They'll have to use the bathroom often, which helps them practice potty training.

• Set the schedule: Direct the child to the bathroom first thing in the morning, before and after naps, after meals, and before bedtime. Also ask the child if they need to pee or poop regularly. Some parents like to set a timer and put their child on the potty every 20 or 30 minutes. 

• Expect accidents: Unfortunately, into every potty-training journey, a little accident is to be expected. Almost no kids make it through this process without at least a few wet pairs of pants. But, counterintuitively, during the initial three days, accidents are a good thing, since they're key to the learning process. You’ll want your child to have an accident or two because they need to know what that feels like, and you need accidents in order to learn those signs that they're about to go. They're still toddlers—of course they'll have accidents. Potty training, accidents are simply part of the process. Some kids still have accidents through age 5 or 6, and many don't stay dry at night until that age (or even later). Never punish your child for wetting or soiling their pants; they're just learning and can't help it.

• Offer praise and encouragement: When your child uses the potty successfully, offer gentle praise and a small reward. Consider using a sticker chart—your child receives a sticker every time they go potty; after they've earned, say, three stickers, they get a small prize. Let them be proud of themselves and be a part of measuring their success. 

• Consider different types of potties: It’s best to get the child used to the common toilets they find at any location. However, you can make the adjustment easier by using potty seats, potty ladders or portable potty chairs. 

• Ask the pediatrician’s advice: Like any major change, discuss the journey with the pediatrician. Also make sure to talk to teachers, daycare workers or caretakers that are actively involved in their life.

• Use books or shows to assist: Potty training can be very time consuming, so prepare the safe area for learning with books, games or shows to assist with being comfortable sitting down for 10-15 minutes at a time. 

• Teach proper hygiene: To set children up with good hygiene habits that will last a lifetime, washing hands should be a routine from day 1, along with flushing and wiping, regardless of whether your child actually went in the potty. Make hand washing fun by buying colorful kid-friendly soaps, and make it last long enough by singing a favorite song, like "Happy Birthday to You" or the "ABC Song," so the bubbles work their germ-fighting magic.

• A tip for potty training boys: Teach them to pee sitting down first and aiming into the bowl. The reason is if you teach them to pee standing, you’ll likely have more trouble teaching them to sit when they poop. Once they get the hang of everything, you can teach them to stand while peeing. Use items like Cheerios or toilet stickers as targets to practice when making the transition from sitting to standing. Remember though, nobody can teach this skill better than their father.

• A tip for potty training girls: Let them wear dresses if it makes things simple. Lifting up a dress and removing underwear can be easier and faster than pulling down pants.

• Be consistent and prepare for the potentially long road ahead: Everywhere your child goes, the adults around them should use the same potty training method. That includes both parents, caregivers and other family members. Potty training may feel like one of the most challenging tasks you undertake as a parent of a toddler. The key is patience and consistency. Your child will eventually get the hang of it, even if he or she doesn’t take to the potty-trained life right away. Just keep at it and remain consistent, and your child will be a potty expert in no time!

Having potty training problems? Check out our HOW TO SOLVE COMMON POTTY TRAINING PROBLEMS blog

Interesting and fun fact, Izabella Oniciuic is the youngest child on record to be potty trained at the very young age of 6 months old. It amazing what children can accomplish. Every child is very capable of achieving even the most stressful of tasks; it truly comes down to their parents being the leaders and guiding them with a positive outlook and the best advice.

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