10 Tips to Potty Train

  1. Most children can be ready to potty train as early as 18-24 months.  Talk to your child about potty training and see how interested in it they are.  Don’t push it if they don’t seem interested.  Just keep reviewing the signs of readiness and make plans with your significant other.                               
  2. First you need consistency, so carve out some time to stay home to focus on potty training.  A few days, even a week is great to start.  Holiday breaks and summer vacations are great times.                                             
  3. Stock up on a few favorite things of your child.  Some good ideas would be stickers for potty training charts, candy, books, coloring books with crayons, small toys or art and crafts they would like.                                     
  4. Day 1- Wake up and take the childs clothing off including diaper.  If they don’t want you to take off their diaper that’s ok, don’t force it.   Have them get their Potty Poncho and put it on.  Tell your child to play or do whatever they normally do in the morning.  Keep their routines the same.                           
  5. Remind them if they feel they have to go the bathroom to try and get to the toilet as fast as they can.  Tell them it’s like a race, maybe leave a book in there for them.  They should still be wearing their poncho if this is what they choose to do.                                                                                
  6. Put their portable potty in a room where the child typically plays to help get them used to the idea.  In front of the tv works also so they can sit on it while watching a favorite show.                                                                      
  7. Give your kids alone time in the potty.  Even if you just walk away for a few seconds.  They need privacy too and they will soon be asking for it.            
  8. Constantly praise your child and let them know they are doing an amazing job however their training is going.  If they have accidents, remind them that it's ok.                                                                                                      
  9. Download and print potty charts from the website and hang it up in a place your child can see it.  Give them stickers for the following:
    1. Getting undressed and putting the poncho on themselves
    2. Taking diaper off
    3. Getting to the toilet before the pee or poop
    4. Flushing on their own
    5. Putting down the seat 
    6. Using toilet paper on their own
    7. Washing their hands
    8. Telling an adult they need to use the potty
    9. Staying dry and not having accident                                                    
  10. Night time potty training: Most kids aren’t ready to be dry at night until they start to wake up dry from naps and some mornings consistently. To help keep them dry at night, try to stop liquids 2-3 hours after dinner depending on your child's bedtime.                                                                                         
  11. At the end of each night, tell your child how proud you are of them.  Remember each child is different and they will give it 100% when they are ready.  Unfortunately it can’t be forced for when it’s convenient for you.  It can be a very stressful time for both child and parents or care givers.   Just remember there is no certain age limit they should be trained by. Go are your child's pace and in the meantime, allow your child to have fun in the Potty Poncho!

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