Potty training is the process of training a toddler or infant, to use the toilet for urination and defecation. Potty training for most children begins when they’re eighteen to twenty-four (18-24) months old, and may go on for some children until they’re about five to six (5-6) years old.

Potty training is different for boys as they have to learn how to urinate differently. It’s sometimes best to let them master urination while sitting down, before moving to standing up, after bowel training is complete.

How to begin potty training

There are different ways to begin potty training, but most importantly, a routine needs to be established. You can have your child sit on the potty after waking with a dry diaper, or 45 minutes to an hour (45 mins- 1 hr)after drinking lots of liquid.

Another way to potty train is to have your child sit on the toilet or potty chair without a diaper for a few minutes at two hours interval, also as first thing in the morning and immediately after naps.

How to get your toddler to tell you they have to use the potty

• Make a connection between the urge to urinate or defecate and using the toilet. Consistently use words that remind them about using the potty. You can use babyish terms like pee or poo, until your baby is older… but what’s more important is to stay consistent in the usage of bathroom talk.
• Commend your baby when they get it right. Apparently, adults are not the only one who love praises. Praising your children when they use the potty right makes them want to do it again. Let them know that you’re proud of them. you can introduce incentives- i.e, by putting a stickers on the calendar or singing a happy song whenever they use the potty. The idea is to encourage your child to understand the need for them to use the potty.
• It is important to be patient while potty training. Children learn to use the potty differently; it takes longer for some children. Do not nag in the process, you could diminish your child’s confidence. Don’t scold or punish him/her, try to stay calm. Take deep breaths, do not overreact, to avoid resistance. You can give it a break when it gets overwhelming, and then try it again after a few days or weeks.
• In your bid to cut down your toddlers chances of having an accident, do not deny them liquid; it is an unhealthy and ineffective approach. The better tactic is actually to give your child more liquid, to increase potty training opportunities.
• Do not compare your child to other children who are doing better at potty training, it affects their self esteem. It’s okay to get support from family and friends when you get overwhelmed, but do not make your child uncomfortable with hanging around their children, because he/she doesn’t feel like they’re doing as good as the other children.

With babies, nothing is really that simple, but with consistency and patience, you can get your baby fully potty trained.