When my toddler girl grew to nearly 2 years old, a new skill we built was to grasp toilet training. Most parents will start potty training for their babies when they are around 2 years old, because the self-awareness of toddlers around 2 years old has begun to increase, and the body’s self-control ability has also developed to a certain extent. At this time, it is appropriate to start training their babies to go to the bathroom by themselves. So how likely my baby is ready to quit diapers? What is the difference between the methods of training boys and girls to go to the toilet on their own? Today, Healthy Mum and Bub will share with you some knowledge about diaper quitting for babies, and recommend some useful children’s potties.
1. What are the “signals” when a baby is ready to quit diapers?
Potty training does not have a completely fixed age. Generally, we think it is more appropriate to wait until the baby reaches one and a half years old before starting to quit diapers, because babies under one year old cannot control their bladder or defecation by themselves, even if they reach one and a half years old. After age, the baby still cannot control his excretion physically. Therefore, most parents wait until their babies are 2 or 3 years old before they start to train their babies to go to the toilet by themselves, because babies at this age basically have the ability to control the bladder, and many babies are going to daycare or kindergarten soon, it is also very necessary to train the baby in advance to learn how to go to the toilet.
In addition to age, parents can also judge whether the baby is ready for potty training by observing some “signals” sent by the baby’s body. The editor here has compiled some for your parents’ reference:
★The baby can walk in a coordinated manner, even run steadily, and can sit quietly and hold for two to five minutes.
★The diaper wets very regularly during a certain period of time.
★Usually or during a nap, there is a condition that can keep the diaper “not wet” for at least two hours, which indicates that the baby’s bladder muscles are well developed enough to store a certain amount of urine.
★Your baby can put on and take off pants by himself.
★Your baby doesn’t like the feeling of wet or dirty diapers.
★Your baby is interested in parents going to the bathroom, for example, he wants to go to the bathroom with his parents.
★When the baby wants to pee, he/she will give a physical or verbal signal, such as purring or squatting down.
★Your baby clearly expresses his desire to be independent.
★Your baby can understand simple language instructions from parents, such as “Go get a toy”.
★Your baby can speak the words to urinate and defecate.
Of course, this is not to say that the baby must meet all the above conditions before he can start training him/her to go to the toilet. Generally, as long as three or four of them are met, parents can consciously prepare to guide the baby to go to the toilet.
2. What is the difference in the way of training boys and girls to go to the toilet?
The physiological structures of male and female babies are different, and the specific ways of training them to go to the toilet are naturally different. In daily life, fathers must take on the “important task” of educating male babies to master the correct methods of urination, and mothers naturally also need to teach female babies the correct way to deal with urination.
Let’s first take a look at how to train boys to go to the toilet by themselves. At the beginning of potty training for a boy, parents should not worry about letting him stand directly, because the baby’s urine is often discharged together. Teaching the male baby to learn to sit first will help him understand that he should finish in the potty.
When the boy learns to sit and defecate, the father can teach the baby how to urinate while standing. For male babies, the father’s “precepts and deeds” is very important. Dad should show them exactly how to “aim” the potty when urinating. If it is really difficult for the boy to aim at the potty, then you can try to put a piece of colored paper on the potty and let the baby aim at the paper to pee.
The key point for mothers to train girls to go to the toilet by themselves is to let the babies develop clean and hygienic habits. After peeing, they should be wiped with paper towels (in fact, boys should also pay attention to hygiene). For a girl, the mother must first prepare easy-to-wear and take off clothes for her. Don’t choose the kind of pants that are too complicated and tight. Otherwise, it will be troublesome if the baby wants to urinate but it is difficult to take off the pants, which brings some unnecessary frustration.
Compared with boys, girls prefer to use potty, and a cute little potty can also make babies more interested in toilet training. Another very important point is that mothers should demonstrate for their babies when they go to the toilet. Not only must they train their babies to urinate, but also teach them the correct way to wipe after defecation. Girls must be wiped from front to back to prevent urinary tract infections.
A tip to gradually train your baby to understand the importance of potty training and maintain good hygiene is to use a potty chart. They may not understand fully at a very early stage, but as you go they will become familiarised and more self sufficient in doing all the steps. This chart also helps parents to train well for their children along the way.
3. Potty Recommendations
In addition to using different training methods for boys and girls, it is also very important to choose the right auxiliary tools. Buy a small potty for your baby that he/she likes, and your baby will be more interested in learning to go to the toilet by himself/herself. In the following, the editor will recommend several best-selling children’s potties on Amazon:
1. Nuby My Real Potty Training Toilet with Life-Like Flush Button & Sound for Toddlers & Kids
Features & details
- Realistic training toilet that looks & feels just like an adult version
- Real life-like toilet flushing sound when you press the flush button
- The potty seat lid opens & closes & pot is removable for super Easy cleaning. Splash guard for both boys and girls.
- Integrated splash guard for both boys and girls that stays in place & Anti-skid rubber base to stop the potty chair from sliding
- Back tank locks in place and fits full sized baby wet wipes. Designed to help little ones transition comfortably to an adult-sized toilet
2. The First Years Minnie Mouse Imaginaction Potty & Trainer Seat, Pink
Features & details
- POTTY & TRAINER SEAT: The potty training system includes a training potty which features Disney characters and a trainer seat with splash guard for a smooth transition to the family toilet
- GET DIGITAL REWARDS: Add Disney character stickers to the chart when your toddler uses the potty seat, scan with the free ‘Share the Smiles’ app, and see a congratulatory message from a Disney friend!
- SOUND EFFECTS: This potty training system includes “flush” buttons that make realistic flushing and cheering sounds to encourage your toddler
- EASY TO CLEAN: The lift-out pot with smooth sides makes it easier to clean up after successful attempts, and the potty ring has a built-in splash guard for less mess
- CUSTOMIZE YOUR LOOK: Includes an optional tank sticker so you can add even more Disney fun to your child’s potty
3. Potty Training Seat with Step Stool Ladder,SKYROKU Potty Training Toilet for Kids Boys Girls Toddlers-Comfortable Safe Potty Seat with Anti-Slip Pads Ladder
Features & details
- FITS MOST TOLIET SHAPES AND SIZE: SKYROKU kids potty training seat fits all standard size and elongated toilet seats(like V/U/O shape.NOT for square ). Foldable design make the potty training ladder moves easily, you can put toilet training seat aside when you don’t need it.
- SPECIL DESIGN: This upgraded toilet seat contains many advantages:(1) design for adjustable ladder for different height; (2) design for protecting the spine; (3) design to avoid splashing urine; (4) design of soft and removable cushion for comfortable and clean use; (5) foldable design; (6) rotating design for adjusting different toilet.
- SUPER STURDY: Made of PP material, can hold 75kg(165lb) mostly, sturdy enough when your toddler climbs up/down. Also environmental friendly.
- TRAINING TODDLER:This toilet trainer ladder is both suitable for boys and girls with pee catcher design and it is very cute one with pink and blue color , which makes her or him super interested in potty time.
- SAFE AND DURABLE: This potty seat is safe to use with our anti-slip design for the pads and ladder. It will prevent the seat from shifting, which means your kids can climb up and down to use the toilet independently without worry.
4. The First Years Training Wheels Racer Potty System | Easy to Clean and Easy to Use Potty Training Seat
Features & details
- Fun design: Race car design makes potty training fun for your toddler
- Easy to clean: A lift-out pot for easy cleaning
- Easy to use: High pee shield for less mess
- Portable potty seat: Detachable potty ring that you can place on your family toilet JPMA Certified
- Comfortable and secure: Handles on potty seat help child feel more secure
5. Fisher-Price Toddler Toilet 3-in-1 Puppy Perfection Potty Training Seat and Step Stool with Removable Ring
Features & details
- Potty training is easier and more fun with this convertible toddler training toilet featuring a friendly puppy pal [Amazon exclusive]
- Grows with your child from a potty chair to a potty ring on an adult toilet and a sturdy step stool with nonslip surface
- Easy to clean with a removable bowl plus a built-in splash guard to prevent messes
- Seat ring with handles helps toddlers feel more secure
- Helps introduce the potty routine and strengthen balance & coordination skills for potty-training infants and toddlers ages 18-36 months
SHOP from HERE.
Lastly, you can check a full list of best potties on Amazon USA from here.
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