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Answers to Common Potty Training Questions
October 6, 2008 at 4:26 PM by Cafe Cynthia - Comments (7)
When it comes to potty training, we've got lots of questions. Just check out the recent activity on a few of our groups: Potty Training Moms Support Group, Potty Training Just for Boys, and Potty Training Little Girls (you'll need to apply to them first).
Those of us in the thick of it know at least one thing: Every kid is different and there often isn't any easy answer, which means lots of patience (and extra laundry).
You can get some great advice on the topic in the answers section, such as this post from ConnorsMom1204. But we also wanted to let a professional weigh in. Here's potty training expert Dr. Mark Wolraich, author of the American Academy of Pediatric's Guide to Toilet Training, on some of your most common quandaries:
What are the signs my child is ready to start?
When he senses he needs to or is in the process of urinating or making a bowel movement. Also when they express an interest. Providing a potty chair and letting him watch you is one way.
Any good books we should pick up to help introduce the idea?
Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi, Lift the Lid, Use the Potty, by Annie Ingle, and P.J. and Puppy, by Cathryn Falwell.
Has any one method proved the most successful?
No. Children sometimes become trained regardless of what their parents do. It can take weeks or months. The important thing is to keep it positive. Praise children for what they achieve--don't punish them for accidents or delays.
Should pull-ups be part of the program?
It's a matter of personal preference. They do not necessarily help or hinder the process. Some parents find them helpful for children who continue to wet when they sleep.
Should we be worried if our child isn't trained by age 5?
It depends. If she is delayed in other things, that could be a concern. Does the child have control? If not, she may have a problem with her urinary tract or bowels and should be evaluated by a doctor. If he's trained for day, but is still wetting at night, it may be normal. At least 10 percent of kids will still be wetting the bed at age 5. This is often genetic. Night urination can even occur up to 10 or 11 years of age without any significant problem, but it's still a good idea to check with your pediatrician.
FILED UNDER: child care, development & growth, developmental delays, doctor visits, learning, milestones, potty training
Comments:
I've been trying to potty train my son for 7 months and he still hasn't peed in the potty. he is 25 months.
help, my son will be 5 in december and he still has accidents. He'll go for weeks and never pee his pants and then all of a sudden he'll start peeing his pants and he knows he has to go potty he just wont go in the bathroom and go.
My son is 3, and has been potty trained for almost a year now, but for the past 4 months or so, he has been constantly wetting, and sometimes having bowel movements in his pants. I don't understand this, and I know he knows how to use the restroom, what can I do to encourage him to always go to the toilet when he has to go?????
I have a 4 year old who stoped going in his pants by the time he was three, yet he still has problems in the potty...he can not stand to keep his clothes on if he has to poop. he has to completely strip down naked...why is this.and he won't wipe himself either...y
Also I have a 2 year old who absolutly refuses to use the potty. he will sit on it forever but he won't go until after I have gotten him up and put a dipper back on him.. he has no signals as of yet to tell me when he has to go. i just have to guess like when i see him squat in a corner i know hes pooping and i try to rush him to the potty but once he's on it he stops going. I know he doesn't like a wet or dirty dipper because he takes it off when he uses it........HELP.....
OMG MY BIG GIRL HAS JUST TRUNED 2 AND SHE KINDA STARTED TO POTTY TRAIN HERSELF LAST YEAR WHEN SHE TURNED ONE SHE SEEM INTERESTED SO I GOT HER A POTTY CHAIR AND SHE SAT ON IT A FEW TIMES BUT DIDNT DO ANYTHING THEN SHE STARTED ASKIN TO SIT ON THE BIG POTTY AND I WOULD PUT HER ON IT SO FOR THE LAST YEAR WHEN SHE READY TO TAKE A BATH AT NITE I WOULD TAKE OFF HER DIAPER AND SHE WOULD SIT ON THE BIG POTTY AND GO PEE BUT THATS WHERE IT STOP TILL HER B-DAY THIS YEAR SHE JUST STOP WANTING TO WEAR DIAPERS AND WANTED PULL UPS AND PANTIES AND SUM DAYS WE DO GREAT SUM SHE WANTS DIAPERS AGAIN IM LOST WITH THAT ONE .........HELP ......
My daugther is 27months and she still dont know when she has to go poop. She does good on the peepee. She is not interest in neither one of them. I have to force my daughter to go peepee and poop on the potty and I hate doing that.
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Thanks for this! I just started potty training my son, he is almost 3. He is really resisting, but I'm trying to be consistent and any advice I can find is really helpful!
Mama_McD Oct. 7, 2008 at 3:19 PM