How to Potty Train a Toddler

Following some potty training tips will ensure that this important time in your child's life is made a little easier.

Potty training can be a major stepping stone for a toddler. It transitions them from "baby" to "big kid" and gives them a sense of freedom. It can also be a relief, once successful, for Mom and Dad, who no longer have to worry about where they're going to change a diaper. Potty training also lends itself to new problems, such as inopportune accidents, but those eventually fade.

Signs of Readiness
How will you know when your child is ready for potty training? One sign is that your child is aware of what it means to go to the bathroom. Being able to recognize that he or she has soiled a diaper is a good indicator. Increased bladder capacity, in the form of less-frequent diaper changing, is also a sign.

Your child should be able to understand you and follow directions. Potty training is a process with many steps-recognizing the urge to go, locating the potty, pulling down pants, wiping, pulling up pants and washing hands-and it is essential that your child will be able to remember this.

Perhaps the most important sign that your child is ready for potty training is that he or she wants to learn. Children are naturally curious and want to be like mom and dad. When your toddler is ready to be a big kid, you'll know he or she is ready to start potty training.

What You'll Need
To properly potty train, you'll need a potty training chair. There are many different types to choose from. Some look like a standard miniature chair and function as a potty training seat. Others are multipurpose and can be disassembled and used as seats to put on the toilet for the wee ones, as well as stepping stools. There are those with compartments for holding books and some that are decorated to entice your child into using them. There are also inflatable potties, perfect for a traveling toddler.

Getting Started
The first step in potty training is to talk to your child and be sure that they understand what is going on. They should feel comfortable with the idea of potty training, as this will make the process easier on everyone. Explain to them the different parts of potty training, such as how to use the toilet and the switch from diapers to underwear.

Let your child come to the bathroom with you and feel comfortable in restrooms in general. Flushing the toilet can be an exciting thing for a toddler to do and will help them feel ready for potty training. Help them to become comfortable with the potty training seat, even if that means letting them sit on it fully clothed.

Keep your child's clothing simple. Pants that can be easily slid up and down are great for potty training. Avoid pants with buttons and snaps. Often when a toddler realizes he or she has to go to the bathroom, it's a matter of urgency. Also stay away from oversized shirts, which can get in the away of the potty process.

Try to recognize the signals that your child is ready to use the potty. This can be a change in facial expressions, or stopping a current activity. Teach your child to tell you when they have to use the bathroom, and take them when they alert you that they need to go. You may also want to try putting them on the toilet every so often, to help them recognize when they need to go to the bathroom.

Children are sometimes afraid of using the toilet, especially one in a public restroom. Sit with your child while he or she uses the restroom, and help them to stay relaxed. Reading to your child may help to calm and distract them.

Dealing with Setbacks
Above all, potty training should be a positive experience for both the toddler and parent. It may take several months for your child to be fully potty trained. Praise your child when he or she successfully uses the toilet. Never scold them or make them feel bad for not going or for having an accident. The more positive praise you give for a child doing the right thing, the more likely they are to want to continue doing so.

If your child is having great difficulty potty training or it takes more than a few months to potty train, consult your doctor. The most likely reason for unsuccessful potty training is that your toddler wasn't ready. However, there may also be an underlying medical reason, which is why it is important to share concerns with a pediatrician. 

Nighttime can be a difficult time for potty training. Many toddlers do not wake up when they have to use the bathroom, and a lot don't wake up even after they've had an accident in bed. You can use diapers at night until your toddler is potty trained, but it is best to not confuse them. Another option is to wake your toddler up at regular intervals during the night and encourage them to use the bathroom. Finally, you can let accidents happen as they will. Use a protective sheet over the mattress and also consider double-sheeting the bed. This is when you place a protective layer over one sheet, and then put another sheet over that. If an accident occurs in the middle of the night, you just have to peel off the top sheet and protective layer. Laundry can wait for the morning.