No two children begin toilet training at the same age. Before your child is ready to be toilet trained she needs to have reached two developmental milestones:

• She must be able to walk well, usually between the age of 15-25 months.
• She must understand what is being asked of her.

A good indication that your child is ready to begin toilet training is when she has discomfort with a wet or soiled diaper. She may show this by pulling at her diaper and repeating a phrase to describe her problem.

Preparation for toilet training is an important step you should not overlook. Your child must feel that this is an important step of growing up. She must feel this is something she wants. 

1.  She should see her parents and older children using the toilet. 

2.  Suggest to your child repeatedly that using the bathroom is something that grown up people do. Always give a positive feeling about toilet training.

3.  Set the potty chair in the bathroom and allow her to sit on it at will - always reinforce its' purpose.

4.  Teach your child the needed vocabulary (words for stool, urine and the toilet).

When your child is ready to begin toilet training, set her on the toilet for a few minutes at the time when a bowel movement usually occurs.

We believe in what we call positive toilet training. Make a big deal when she gets it right, and ignore failures.

Suggest to your child in a casual and positive manner what you want her to do. She should not remain on the potty chair for much longer than 10 minutes and not at all if there is any resistance.

It is easier for her to understand bowel training first. Passing stool is much more evident than passing urine and there is a stronger sensation for defecation than for urination.

When your child remains dry for at least a couple of hours during the day, she is usually ready for bladder training. It should be started in the same manner as bowel training. The switch from diapers to underpants during the day may give her an added incentive, showing your trust and confidence in her.

A second, and sometimes more successful, easier and less time consuming method of toilet training, is to wait for your child to say, "Mommy, I want to go to the potty". 

After she has been dry during the day for about a month, you should begin to omit diapers at night. You can help her by limiting her fluid intake a few hours before bedtime. It is usually ineffective to wake your child during the night to urinate. This only conditions her to urinate every 4 hours, instead of holding the urine for 8 to 12 hours while she sleeps. Remember, many toddlers continue to wet during the night until they are 3 to 5 years old.

Most importantly, it really doesn't matter when your child is toilet trained, but that you all get through it happily.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call us.