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How to teach a child to a pot?

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 19.10.2021
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How to teach a child to a pot - this question is asked by many parents. And do not always know how to correctly answer it. Meanwhile, for each child the accustoming to the pot is strictly individual and by age, and by mood, and by development.

Accustoming the child to the pot covers the recognition of readiness for correction and the implementation of individual steps in this: discussion, undressing, dressing, washing, dressing, washing hands. Most children can be taught to control defecation between 2 and 3 years, and to control urination between 3 and 4 years. By the age of 5, the average child can go to the toilet alone.

The key to successful pottage training is to recognize the symptoms of readiness for this (usually at the age of 18 to 24 months): the child can remain dry for several hours, shows an interest in sitting on the pot, expresses visible signs of preparing for defecation or urination, so that he can dress up after that, demonstrates the ability to put things into place, can understand and perform simple verbal commands. Approaches to teaching the child to the pot should be the same for everyone who cares for the child.

When can I start teaching the child to the pot?

Do not start accustoming to the toilet until both you and your child are ready for it. You are ready when you can devote the time and energy necessary to encourage your child to go for a pot every day.

Most children begin to show signs of willingness to walk on the pot from 18 to 24 months, although some of them may be ready sooner or later. Features of child development are such that boys often start later and they may take longer than girls.

Signs that your child is ready to walk himself on the pot include the following:

  • Your child lets you know that his diapers are wet or dirty.
  • Your child shows signs that he is interested in sitting on a toilet seat or in the toilet.
  • Your child says that he would like to go for a pot.
  • Your child feels uncomfortable if his diapers (panties) are wet or dirty.
  • Your child remains dry for 2 hours or more during the day.
  • Your child wakes up because he has a wet diaper.
  • Your child can pull his pants down and then back up.

You can start to notice these signs when your child is between 1.5 and 2 years old. Nevertheless, it is not uncommon for a child to scream in diapers when his diapers are wet, and let you know what he needs to go to the toilet.

How to prepare a baby for a pot?

The method of a certain time is the most frequent approach when the child shows willingness, parents discuss with the child what will happen, choosing the words that the child can understand and pronounce. The child is gradually accustomed to the pot, and he does not sit for a long time on it fully clothed; Then the kid learns to take off his pants, sit on the pot for 5-10 minutes and get dressed.

The purpose of this exercise is explained to the child several times and is emphasized by the fact that wet or dirty diapers are placed in a pot. When the connection between the pot and the frame is formed, parents must anticipate the child's desire to recover and encourage him for a successful course. The child is also encouraged to use the pot every time he feels the urge to defecate. You should also teach your baby to wash and wash his hands after each treatment. In children with an unpredictable rhythm of corrections, this method is difficult to perform, training should be postponed until the moment when the child himself can not anticipate the direction.

You can not be annoyed and punish the baby if he does not succeed. If the child resists and does not want to sit on the pot, you should try to repeat after eating. If the refusal continues, it should be postponed to toilet for at least a few weeks. Changing the behavior with the encouragement for successful delivery is one of the conditions; when the skill is fixed, rewards should be gradually abolished. Do not forcibly force the child, as this often leads to a regression of acquired skills and can worsen the relationship of parents with the child.

Potty-trained children may lose their skills during illness, emotional distress, or if they want more attention, for example, when another child is born in the family. Refusal to use the pot may also be a manifestation of manipulation by the child. In these situations, parents are advised to avoid pressure on the child and motivate him, and, if possible, give the child more care and attention during the time not associated with toilet training.

Let your child feel natural when you go to the bathroom and make your baby feel comfortable in the bathroom. Let your child see his urine and stool in the toilet - he will understand that it will look ugly in panties. Let your child practice draining the toilet.

Before you accustom to your child's toilet, put the pot somewhere in a prominent place in the child's room so that he can get acquainted with the pot. Allow your child to inspect, touch and sit himself on the potty.

Tell the child that this pot is his own. Allow your child to sit dressed on the toilet seat, as if it were his regular place. Allow your child at any time to abandon the pot. Do not make the child spend time sitting on it.

After the child has got used to a pot and sits down on it regularly in clothes, try to ask your child to sit down on a pot without panties. Let your child get used to sitting on a pot now without pants and diapers.

The next step is to show the child how the pot is used. Put a mountain of dirty diapers on the pot. Let your child watch the movement of the bowel movement in the toilet. Let your child let down the water in the toilet and see how the defecation objects disappear in the toilet.

How to teach a child how to use the toilet?

After the child began to visit you with the toilet and understood what it is meant for, you can start teaching the child, going to the potty or to the toilet. Wear baby pants, which are easily removed.

Put the child on the toilet seat whenever he signals the need to go to the toilet. The expression of your child's face can change when he feels the urge to urinate or defecate. Your child can stop the game, which he does when he feels the need to go to the toilet.

Most children defecate once a day, usually within an hour after eating. Most children urinate within an hour after they have drunk something.

Carefully watching the signals that your child gives you before urinating or defecating, put the baby on the pot, and do it all the time. This can continue every 2-2.5 hours.

Stay with your child when he is on the pot. Read something or talk with the child when he sits on a pot. This can help your child relax. Praise the child when he goes to the bathroom on the pot, but do not express disappointment if your child could not do anything on it. Be patient with the child.

Once your child has learned how to use the pot, he can start using the toilet seat.

What if the child accidentally made an "accident"?

Your child can make occasional "accidents", even after learning how to use the toilet. Sometimes children take too active part in games and forget that they must go to the toilet. By offering regular trips to the toilet, you can help your child prevent "accidents".

If your child did not go to the potty, and panties, keep calm. Do not punish the child. Just change his panties and continue to encourage your child to use the pot again.

How long does it take for a child to go to the pot himself?

Every child is different. Accustoming to a pot may take from 3 to 6 months of walking on the pot in the afternoon. But it can take longer to get the baby to go to the toilet at night, when the bladder control decreases. It is very important for you to be patient and support the baby in everything.

If after several months your child still resists or has difficulties with teaching to the toilet, talk to the doctor. The most likely reason that a child has not learned to use a pot is that he is not yet ready for the pot.

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