TOILET TRAINING Toilet training should be reserved until your child is at least 15-18 months of age. Many children may not be ready until 2 ½ years or older. Some signs that may indicate readiness for training include being dry through the night, ability to understand simple commands, and interest in mimicking other adult bathroom routines such as brushing teeth and washing hands.

Wait until your child wants to toilet train. Don’t be pushy or punitive. Relax and remember that your child is an individual and does not need to fit into other people’s schedules.

You may begin by buying your child a potty seat at about 15 months. Training at this time should center around discussion of the association between the child’s potty chair and the parents’ toilet seat. At the same time, the parent takes the child in to sit in the chair in all her clothes.  Sit and read or give a snack at this time. Never pressure the child to stay on the chair. It is important to use only positive reinforcement for success and never use negative reinforcement for failure.

After developing her cooperation, your child may then be taken to the chair with her diaper off. Still no attempt is made to catch urine or stool as this may frighten the child into “holding back.” When the child’s interest in these steps is achieved, the child can be taken to the seat after a bowel movement. Change her on the seat, dropping her dirty diaper into the potty chair, pointing out to her that this is eventually where the stool should end up.

After developing a wish to comply, your child can be taken several times a day to “catch” urine or stool. As interest grows, diapers and pants can be removed for short periods. Place her chair in her play area and point out his ability to go on her own. You may gently remind your child periodically to use the potty chair. Next introduce training pants. Nap and night training are left until after the child shows interest in daytime dryness.