Parents are anxious to teach their child bladder control and toilet training. To know when to toilet train your child and make her use the potty read on.Potty training is one of the daunting parenting experiences. Most of the parents are worried about getting their child potty trained faster so that they do not face any problem when they start pre-schooling. Take a quick look at some of the common concerns of parents related to
potty training children.
When can I expect my child to develop bowel and bladder control?
Control over bowel and
bladder movements usually develops around 15 or 18 months, and sometimes even later. There is no way you can coerce your child to develop this control until she is good and ready.
When should I start toilet training my child?
In order for your child to develop control over her bowel and bladder, both her physical and mental development will have to be advanced enough. Her muscles must be strong enough to hold urine and faeces. Her muscles must do this when the brain transmits the appropriate signal. For this to happen, your child must be able to make the connection between inner sensations and the conscious need to pass urine or stools. You will know that your child is aware that she has a full rectum or bladder when she stops what she is doing and points at her diaper or tries to attract your attention by crying or shouting.
When can I teach my child to use the potty?
Your child will probably develop bowel control first as it is easier to control bowel movements than bladder movements. When she indicates that her bowel is full, take off all her clothes and suggest that she use the potty. After she has finished, wipe her bottom (front-to back) with toilet paper. Do not force your child to sit on the potty. It may have the reverse effect and she might have a tantrum the next time. Once she has become accustomed to using the potty, the next step is to encourage her to use the lavatory. She may feel a little insecure because it is so much larger. In order to make her feel more secure and supported, use a specially designed seat that fits inside the toilet rim.
What are the some of the common signs that a child needs to use a potty?
As the time passes, parents will get a fair idea about the number of times and the time during which the child empties her bowel. So, during this time parent can approach the child and encourage her to use the toilet or potty seat. Sometimes child may also make some facial expressions which may indicate that she want to empty her bowel. In this case parents can rush the child towards the toilet. One of the
signs that a children want to use toilet is that they may suddenly sit in a squat position. In this case as well parents need to take them to toilet when they exhibit such sign.
While parents are training the children to develop control over their bowel and bladder movements, they must ask them during regular intervals if they want to empty their bowel or bladder. This habit will help children to keep in their back of their mind that they have to empty their bowel and bladder before they lose control over it. They will also remember that they have to use toilet for their bowel and bladder movements. Just as you have developed a schedule for your child for doing different activities, you can develop a schedule for emptying the bowel and bladder also. For example, encourage your child to use toilet immediately after waking-up and before going to bed so that the episodes of
bedwetting do not take place and you child gets into the habit of using toilet.