How To Potty Train A 13 Month Old

Potty training is something that many doctors and parents consider a developmental milestone, so children will be ready at different stages in their growth. A 13-month-old can be successfully potty trained with effort by his parents. Baby Center says that at a younger age, potty training may take longer. Patience is an important part of teaching a child to use the toilet. Understanding the process of potty training will help parents and their 13-month-old achieve success.

How to Potty Train a 13-Month-Old

Step 1

Determine your child's readiness. A 13-month-old who is ready to potty train will become more aware of the feeling of having on a wet or soiled diaper. If your child can tell you she needs to go, can follow simple instructions and can assist in pulling her pants up and down she may be ready to try potty training. If your 13-month-old can go a couple hours without wetting her diaper, she is probably ready to try using the toilet.

Step 2

Purchase a small toilet or adapter seat for the big toilet. Having potty training equipment that is the appropriate size for a 13-month-old will help the process go smoother and reduce the possibility of a mess. The small size of these products help children feel more secure since many of them are scared of the large size and loud noise of the big toilet. You may also want to buy a stool to help your child reach the toilet or the sink to wash his hands.

Step 3

Show your child what to do. Take your 13-month-old into the bathroom with you so you can demonstrate what you want her to do. Girls learn better watching their mother, while boys are better off learning from their father. Show her step-by-step how to get ready, go on the toilet and get cleaned up when she is done.

Step 4

Instigate frequent breaks to the bathroom to help cut down on accidents. Give your 13-month-old a book or toy to occupy him while he sits on the toilet. Getting to the bathroom often will make the chances that your toddler will go on the toilet more likely.

Step 5

Avoid anger. Potty training a 13-month-old means accidents and set-backs. Try not to get angry because your child may become fearful of the whole process. If things don't seem to be going well, you can always go back to diapers and try again in a few days or weeks.

Step 6

Reward your child. May children respond well to getting a sticker on a chart or their shirt when they successfully use the potty. You can also provide a larger reward when a certain number of stickers appear on the chart. Many 13-month-old children will become excited at the prospect of big kid underwear, especially if they feature their favorite cartoon character. This can be a big incentive to getting him to use the toilet.

How to Potty Train a 13 Month Old