Potty training is an essential milestone in a child’s life, but it can also be a challenging transition for both the child and their parents. To make the process smoother, parents can use different types of potties to cater to their child’s needs and preferences. However, choosing the right type and teaching the child the correct way to use one can be daunting.
In this article, we will provide six potty training ideas to help parents use different kinds of baby loos. These tips will cover timing, consistency, positive reinforcement, and other crucial factors to make potty training easier and less stressful. Let’s begin!
6 Easy and Fun Potty Training Tips
Cleaning up after your baby does their business is not an enjoyable task. But this does not mean that it has to be extremely unpleasant. Check out these six tips that can make your baby’s potty time easier and more fun.
1. Patience and Timing When Toilet Training
The first thing to prepare when you begin toilet training your baby is patience. As a caregiver, you need to understand that your little one will be trying a task they’ll be uncomfortable with. It’s a huge adjustment from using diapers and being able to go anytime and anywhere.
Since this stage can be stressful for your baby, it is your role to be more observant of their feelings and reactions. Although there are suggested times on when to potty train a baby, always check on how your child is coping with the training. See if the time of your introduction is appropriate for their age, personality, and development.
2. Potty Training Needs Preparation
To make the potty training easy for you and your baby, prepare the following before you begin:
- Potty chairs or seats to ensure your baby’s safety and comfort.
- Sets of underwear and training pants in case your baby meets any training accidents.
- Clothes that are easy to remove so your baby can use the toilet quickly.
- A hose or bidet to conveniently clean your child’s bottom.
- Toilet paper, wipes, and liquid soap for after-toilet cleaning.
Put their needs within reach so they can practice independence and be more confident when performing their potty routine.
3. Have a Potty Training Plan
You probably have a schedule for your child: when to sleep, when to eat, and when to play. A schedule is good; it conditions babies to different activities, like bathing, eating, and brushing their teeth.
Apply the same technique to potty training. Set an alarm clock. The most probable time they’ll need to use the loo would be after feeding time, before going to sleep, when they’ve just woken up from a nap, and after drinking water. At these times, ask your baby if they need to visit the bathroom.
4. Let Your Baby Take Control
One of the roadblocks for babies to successfully be potty trained is the feeling of being pressured. You can keep your baby safe from feeling this way by asking them whether they need to go to the potty instead of giving a command. Though you may set the schedule, never forget to ask them for their input.
When it’s time to choose a potty to train your baby with, let them pick what they want. When they have a potty they like, they’ll be excited to use it instead of dreading potty time. As a result, developing the potty habit will be easier.
5. Give Rewards and Recognition for Being Potty Trained
Rewards serve as positive reinforcement for your baby to always use the potty. Many parents prepare accumulating rewards, such as stickers on a chart or a jar of goodies, to track progress. Looking forward to the rewards can ease the troubles your baby might feel during potty training.
Recognize their efforts to use the potty, too. Ask other family members to congratulate them—this can help your child build confidence.
The rewards and recognition can overshadow the discomfort they feel when using the potty. They’ll overcome it knowing that they’ll get something good after.
6. Potty Train With Fun
Finally, what makes your little one more excited during potty time is when you make the activity fun. Some of the ways you can do this are the following:
- Pick a colorful potty training chair or seat, as they are more visually pleasing for kids.
- Have a little role-playing session during the potty time and do little theatrics when it’s time to go potty.
- Tell them stories to allow them to relax while on their throne.
- Singing isn’t only fun, but studies have shown that they relax the sphincter, allowing your baby to do number 2 comfortably.
- When it’s time to go potty, have a little race to the bathroom with your baby. This ensures they make it to the toilet on time while making the process fun.
- Dressing them in cute underwear is also a great technique to help your baby control their urges. When their favorite characters are on their underwear, they’ll feel obliged to keep it clean.
Making it fun for your baby makes it less stressful for both you and your child. As a bonus, it helps you bond with them further.
Different Potty Choices for Your Little One
How to potty train a baby depends on your choice of potty.
There are various options available for parents; pick the potty your child prefers and the one that’s best for them. Doing so will help make the potty training process smoother and more comfortable. With that, here are the different potty choices for your little one.
Potty Chair
One of the most ubiquitous potties you’ll see is those that look like baby chairs. These chairs have a hole and catcher in the middle for your baby’s waste. These potty chairs come in different colors and sometimes feature cute designs to make them more attractive for babies.
They are lightweight, and you can take them to where your baby is instead of your baby rushing toward the bathroom. Nevertheless, if you want to train your baby properly, position the chair in the bathroom, and let your baby do their business there.
Potty Seat With a Sturdy Stool
The next type of potty requires your baby to use an adult toilet bowl. The potty seat will ensure that the toilet bowl fits your baby. These seats are detachable, so it is best to get a seat hook ready for organization and for you to install it right away.
The seat almost always comes with a sturdy stool your baby can step on to reach the toilet bowl. They can also step on the stool so that they can sit on the toilet bowl more comfortably. Just make sure to assist your baby as they use the stool, as the tool is prone to move, and your baby might stumble.
Potty Seat With a Ladder
The next kind of potty is a potty seat with a ladder. The parts can be attached to an adult toilet bowl, but alongside everything is a ladder with a handle for your baby to climb safely. The ladder also has non-slip pads to avoid any accidents in the bathroom. The steps are adjustable and can be customized depending on your baby’s height.
This type of potty breeds independence, since it’s extremely safe and can be used by your child without any help from you. They can climb on the toilet bowl by themselves, and you can wait for them to finish before you help them clean up.
An Adult Toilet Bowl
Meanwhile, if you have the time to look after your baby and you want them to get used to the toilet bowl immediately, you can let them use a regular toilet bowl. Just take note that if the size of the toilet bowl is too big for them, they need to hold on to you, which takes effort and limits their independence.
If your baby can comfortably sit on the toilet bowl without your assistance, you can add a stool they can step on for additional comfort. Either way, you’ll need to keep an eye on your baby until they’re older.
Get Your Baby’s Needs From Ashtonbee
These six tips can make potty training bliss for you and your little one. The milestone requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement from parents like you, so consider our suggestions to make the process smoother and less stressful for both you and your child.
Make sure to pick the suitable potty, too, as your choice can positively or negatively affect your child’s training. Each potty training tool has its benefits and drawbacks, but for the best, remember to choose the one your baby favors and one with a design that fits your baby’s needs. Of course, make sure to make the process fun and a moment for you and your little one to bond and connect.
Forbaby necessities and supplies for potty training, check out our selection at Ashtonbee. We can help you make your baby’s day-to-day comfortable. Shop our baby products now!
