Potty Training

When we took Olivia for her 19 month check up, I mentioned to the doctor that we felt Olivia was getting ready for potty training. She had started telling us at certain times that she had a wet or poopy diaper and had shown interest in the toilet. Well, the response I got from the pediatrician was not what I expected. He said "its too early". I was a bit upset at the reaction but Randy and I were determined to see it through. We went out immediately and purchased Livi a potty seat. But we were also in the middle of moving into our first home, so we quickly realized that potty training had to take a back seat for a few weeks. It turns out, it was a wise decision. Trying to potty train your child during stressful times, such as a move, is not wise. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, stress such as a move may make "learning this new skill more difficult". After all, potty training is a huge change from what your baby is used to so trying to start while you are in the middle of other major changes, could prove too stressful for your little one and you!

Well, here we are about 2 months later and Olivia is being potty trained. She settled quickly into our new home and became interested in using her new potty seat. We realized the potty seat was one of the best investments. We chose the Munchkin Deluxe Potty seat, which has features that we love. Olivia uses it with ease by placing it on top of the toilet seat. (Of course, you daddies have to remember to put the seat down for the potty seat to actually work.) She also makes use of the handles on the side, which make it easy for her to reposition herself, which she does alot. After all, it takes alot for this little high-nee to fit comfortably anywhere much less a potty.

Olivia tells us most times when her diaper is messy. Though a lot of times it is after the fact, we try to impress upon her that going potty is something that is a positive thing. So now she wants to sit on the potty all by herself. We use positive reinforcement by giving her books to read, letting her use her step stool to step up to the potty herself, and occasionally letting her rip up toilet paper (which she loves to do). I can't say that she has actually gone more than once or twice on the potty, but she understands it and that is half the battle. It is hard not to be discouraged after minutes of sitting on the potty and nothing happens. But the more time Livi sits on the potty, means more chances she will get the point. So I am quickly learning that I need to have patience.

So other than a baby telling you that he or she is ready to potty train, what other signs should you look for? Naturally, a baby's body starts to mature as they hit milestones in growth. I noticed Olivia was not peeing in her diaper as much after we started to potty train. At first this was very alarming. I was used to 5-6 wet diapers a day! Now I see her going hours without needing a diaper change. After doing some research, I found that this is her body's natural way of letting us know she is ready for the potty. She is now able to "hold" her pee, so to speak. Her bladder is able to hold larger volumes of urine and she is now aware of some of the sensations in urinating and bowel movements. So all those thoughts about dehydration or bladder infections were quickly dispelled by simple research and paying attention to what Livi was trying to tell us, without words.

A helpful tool to aid Olivia get ready for potty training was a change in diapers, literally. We went from regular diapers to Easy Ups, the next step up to training pants. They help her understand pulling her diaper up and down, the way you would underwear. Of course, it was funny when she started to pull them up and down when NOT having to go potty.

Another tool we found helpful was the free potty training guide I ordered on Pampers.com. It came with a lot of helpful hints to make potty training fun and easy for everyone. You have to register but its free and well worth it, since this sight also offers other great information.

Believe it or not, another helpful item to have "on hand" was kid friendly soap. We want clean hands at all times, so now is the time to reinforce that good habit and Olivia loves her new soap. It comes in a brightly colored bottle and its foamy. I like that its not your regular hand soap. I was concerned with the thickness of regular hand soap. After all, you try training a child to wash their hands and see how good they rinse!

Potty training is a work in progress. It can take up to 3 months to potty train a baby, so patience is in order..for everyone. Don't expect too much from your little one, progress will most likely be slow. Despite everything involved in potty training our children, this milestone is worth working through! Just think of the money you can save on diapers! But seriously, its a wonderful milestone and great learning experience. We wish you the best!

Check out the links below for more tips and helpful info:

http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/parenting_tips/potty_training/index.html

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/parents/toilet/179.html