While it can take as many as six to eight months to potty train a child, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians, some experts suggest that you can help your child master toilet learning in significantly less time. “Quick-training” methods, like Julie Fellom’s Diaper Free Toddlers program, Dr. William Sears's Weekend-Training-Camp and Teri Crane’s One Day method, promise parents results in as little as one to three days. Although these methods might not work for all parents or children, some of their techniques can involve children in the process and potentially help them train more quickly.
Step 1
Pick a week to start the potty training process. Make sure you choose a week when you can spend time at home with your child working on potty training.
Step 2
Set the stage for a successful potty training experience. Make sure he shows signs of readiness before beginning, such as the ability to stay dry for two or more hours and the ability to communicate when he needs to go by words or gestures. Watch movies and read books detailing the potty learning process.
Step 3
Prepare for the intensive potty training week. Take your child shopping, and let her pick out a potty seat. Fellom recommends stocking your kitchen cabinets with water and diluted juice and foods that encourage urination, like salty snacks or ones with a high-water content such as watermelon or popsicles.
Step 4
Start your week by removing your child's diaper and clothing from the waist down so that he can make a connection between a feeling of pressure and going to the bathroom. Offer him copious amounts of water and the special potty training snacks so that he gets lots of practice going to the bathroom.
Step 5
Rush her to the bathroom when you notice any signs that she needs to go, like squirming or squatting. Fellom suggests that many children start to use the potty independently after they make 10 to 12 successful potty “deposits.”
Step 6
Celebrate when he successfully uses the potty by praising him or offering him a tangible reward, such as a sticker or a coin that he can add to a special coin jar. Crane urges parents to get the entire family involved by asking brothers, sisters, grandparents and other family members to congratulate your child on his potty successes.
Step 7
Get rid of her diapers, and reward her with “big kid” underpants emblazoned with her favorite character or superhero. After a day or two of bare-bottomed potty training, allow her to wear the underpants out of the house on brief errands or outings. Leave right after she uses the potty at home, and issue frequent reminders to use the potty while you are out.
Tips and Warnings
- Keep diapers on your child during nap and bedtimes even after he reliably uses the potty during the day. According to Sears, many children need nighttime diapers for months or even years after they achieve day-time control.
- If your child still seems reluctant to use the toilet after two days of intensive training--or has accidents 75 percent of the time--Fellom recommends trying again in eight weeks.
Things You'll Need
- Children's books or movies about potty training
- Potty chair
- Salty or high-water-content foods
- Diluted fruit juice
- Special treats
- Underwear
References
- BabyCenter: Potty Training in Three Days Or Less
- Parenting.org: Intensive Toilet Training
- "Potty Train Your Child In Just One Day"; Teri Crane; 2006
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Toilet Training Your Child
- AskDrSears.com: Toilet-Training
