Potty training is a huge milestone for children. Teaching your child to use the potty is a time consuming process that requires patience and determination. Girls generally learn to use the toilet more quickly than boys. Keep a few tips in mind when helping your daughter transition from diapers to the toilet.
Dress for Success
Toddlers who are learning to use the potty can have trouble holding their urine long enough to remove a pair of pants and underwear. By putting your little girl in dresses while she's potty training, you can eliminate one of the obstacles to easy potty use, according to the Baby Zone website. You will need to teach your daughter to hold her dress out of the way when she uses the potty.
The Baby Center website advises motivating your little girl by buying her pretty new underwear that she can wear once she's out of diapers. Take her to the store when you buy the new underwear and let her pick them out herself.
Wipe Front to Back
Bladder infections are more common in girls around potty training age, according to the Baby Center website. To prevent vaginal infections, teach your daughter to wipe from front to back after she has used the potty. If your daughter has trouble remembering the proper wiping direction, the website suggests teaching her to pat her front dry with toilet paper. According to the Baby Zone website, you can also teach your child to use two separate pieces of toilet paper, using one to first wipe the front, and then using a new piece of paper to clean the back after a bowel movement.
Make Learning Fun
Making potty training fun can encourage your daughter to stick with it. The Baby Center website recommends putting blue food coloring in the potty, and then letting your child turn the food coloring green with her urine. You can also give your child a favorite book while she uses the potty. Encourage and congratulate your child each time she uses the potty or stays dry for an extended time, the website advises. Don't punish her if she has an accident. Just clean up the mess and focus on helping her remember to use the potty next time.
