Many factors play a role in determining if your toddler is ready for potty training. Physical maturity and mental maturity as well as an interest in participating in toilet training are necessary before you introduce this new task. The age of potty training also depends on the parent's ability to devote a great amount of time to this milestone.
Timing
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, children are ready to begin potty training between 18 to 30 months of age. According to the fourth edition of "Introduction to Maternity & Pediatric Nursing," a child has full physical capacity for day control by 3 years of age and night control by 4 years of age.
Preparation
Buy a potty chair or a potty seat to test your child's interest. A potty chair sits on the floor and a potty seat fits over the regular toilet seat. Let your child sit on the potty chair with his clothes on so he gets used to this new device. If your child shows a fear of the chair then he is not quite ready for this step in his life. The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends waiting a month or two before reintroducing the potty chair.
Identification
Signs that your child is ready to begin potty training include the ability to stay dry for 2 hours at a time, waking up dry in the morning or from naps, the ability to pull down her pants, feeling uncomfortable if her diaper is soiled, showing an interest in what occurs in the bathroom and sitting on the potty without feeling uncomfortable. Your child needs to have to ability to communicate in some way the she has soiled her diaper and to follow simple instructions.
Considerations
Some children are ready to begin potty training earlier or later than others. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, boys generally take longer to train than girls, and both sexes should begin using the potty chair sitting down. Potty training will take daily time, devotion and encouragement on the part of the parents for about 3 to 6 months. Accidents are common and can occur until the child is 4 years of age.
Caution
Warnings or threats as the result of accidents can hamper the progression of toilet training and may cause regressive behavior. Avoid beginning potty training during stressful times like an illness, new baby in the house, moving, a death in the family or a time when you are transitioning him from the crib to a bed. According to the Dr. Spock website, if your child doesn't show an interest in potty training or loses his interest, then wait until he becomes curious again to start potty training.
References
- "Introduction to Maternity & Pediatric Nursing: Fourth Edition"; Gloria Leifer, MA, RN; 2002
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Toilet Training
- Drspock.com: 10 Signs Your Child is Ready to Potty Train
