10 Tips for Potty Training

Everyone has their own method of potty training but in the end it is all about whether or not the child is actually ready. Am I right? You aren’t going to force a child that doesn’t want to learn, not unless it is some type of cruel punishment. A child WANTS to be a big boy or big girl, so they strive for this step and when it happens they want EVERYONE to clap for them. I think this is a very cute stage in their lives, even if it can get a bit messy. Below are 10 tips I got from our latest Huggies Pull-Ups Giveaway right here at Babylune, you still have time to enter. By the way, any time I’ve ever started potty training I always have a potty chair on hand.

1  Character underpants- I know my son learned as soon as he picked out his very own underwear. He was obsessed with everything Tommy from Rugrats and I explained to him that Tommy didn’t want him to pee or poop on him. He never did have an accident when wearing the Tommy underwear.

2  Take him every hour- Looks like I’m not the only one that discovered this. Not only will you hopefully miss and accident you are teaching them to go even during the night. (a key thing, never give them water right before bed)

3  Cheerios in the bowl- We only tried this once, it never did work. For this was my son’s favorite cereal so he got upset and tried getting them out of the bowl. But I have heard that if you try to tell the boys to aim at the Cherrios it works. I can’t honestly say this does.

4  Copying- Have them see an older sibling or yourself go on the potty. Normally a baby/toddler will want to try this as well, especially if they are in the mimicking stage. If you are anything like me, your son/daughter is chasing after you anyway when you dash to the bathroom.

5  Get Training pants (pull-ups)-  Instead of going straight out and buying underwear I went the pull-ups route. Why? Simple if they made an accident I could just throw it away instead of having to clean it. Yep, I’m lazy, but I’d rather not touch anymore poop then I must.

6  Get the Potty Chair- If you haven’t already bought a potty chair, now would be the time. Most of mine learned on the simple white potty chair, however I knew my son (youngest now) would have to have something more thrilling. I bought him one that sings when he sits on it. He loves this chair.

7  Potty Chair location- Leave the potty chair in a location your son/daughter will be able to use it whenever they need to. We keep our chair in the living room so if he decides to go he can just lift it up and never have to leave the room.

8  Read to them- Yes, read to them books about potty training. These days there are a ton of books on how to potty train and even characters that are learning to potty that your son/daughter will get a kick out of. Once upon a potty is a book I’ve been meaning to check out and after watching the video I’m definitely getting it.

9  The One Day Approach- I’ve heard this being very successful, but haven’t tried it myself. This is when you buy the underwear and no diapers but you have to make sure you aren’t going to back down. Many get discouraged after the first few times their son/daughter wet the floor. Don’t. If you can muster up planning for the day, DO IT.

10  Rewarding them- rewards always seem to work. It doesn’t matter if you are using a sticker chart to build up to a certain amount, clapping or whatever else you can think of. They love to see you smile and pay attention to them. Knowing they will get this when they “tinkle” in the potty will help to encourage them.