How to Potty Train your Toddler

Potty training is an important step in the life of a family, whether you call it toilet training or toilet teaching.
There are several tips to do this however the first task must be to evaluate whether your child is really for the next step.
With this you will ease your job, convincing a child who is not ready for it can give you many headaches. If your child is not prepared for this, wearing nappies must not be a reason for shame.

The fortunate outcome of the process depends on the physical readiness of the toddler. Around the age of 18 months the bladder of babies can hold urine for a couple of hours, muscle control is the most important keyword. Another vital factor is verbal understanding, does your baby know what you expect him to do?
If yes, notice the signs of independent acts, as pulling up his own pants and trousers.

You should experiment with these tips in the summer when you can let your toddler run free without a nappy.
An additional sign is when the child draws your attention to his need to go to the toilet, as for example pointing on his nappy. After you identified all these signs, the actual potty training can start.
Here are some useful tips on how to potty train your toddler:

- It is very important to be calm, don't panic if your baby tries to avoid it. Give him/her and yourself a little time. Usually you will have an easier job with girls than with boys, but there are no certain reasons why.

- Experiment with involving your child in buying a nice potty, let them choose the one they like the most. Keep it in the bathroom, where it belongs so that your child can always see it. It is also recommended to let your toddler see other children using the potty, make it a natural thing.

- Encouragement is essential, let your child feel that you are proud of him/her when using a potty.
It may seem too simple however, parents tend to become anxious when struggling with potty training.

- For a few occasions let your toddler sit on a potty with his clothes and nappy, on a chair, it will seem more natural for him later.

- Never punish him for not sitting on the potty, persistence is your best friend in this process.
- Dress your toddler in clothes, pants that can be pulled up and down easily, this will make your job easier.

- Personalize the potty, show your child that it is his/hers only, put stickers on it, paint his name on it - there are several tricks that can make a potty more appealing.
- You can take your toddler with you to the toilet and show him how you do your way, and how it is done by grown-ups.
- Make up stories about dolls and teddy bears that sit on a potty it will help him identify with them.

- After the first phase establish a certain routine, you can have a potty chart, where you can show your toddler how brave he was. This will surely encourage him to use it, for him it is enough that he can make you happy.

- Once you succeeded in training him for the potty, make it a happy habit, encourage him to sit longer periods on it, you can take it into the room and offer to read tales while he sits on it. Let him watch the TV while sitting on it, this habit must not be a torture for him.

- Accidents may happen even after a successful potty training however don't forget to stay calm. At night it is advisable to use diapers until your child can wake up dry for a couple of days.
Good luck!