Potty Training In Days, Not Weeks (8 Essential Steps to Toilet Train Your Toddler Fast!)

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares practical advice on how to toilet train a toddler in just two to three days. The key steps include determining if the child is ready, using underwear or training pants to increase awareness of wet, dry, and dirty, and establishing a consistent routine. The speaker emphasizes the importance of staying calm during accidents, providing a safe and comfortable environment on the toilet, and using gradual steps to help children overcome any fears of pooing in the toilet. With patience, positive reinforcement, and the right approach, parents can help their child toilet train quickly and effectively.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ensure your child is ready for toilet training by looking for signs like staying dry for 1-2 hours and having soft poos.
• 😀 Swap nappies for underwear or training pants to help your child feel wet, dry, and dirty, increasing their awareness.
• 😀 Avoid asking, 'Do you want to go to the toilet?' Instead, state what you observe, e.g., 'Your body is saying it needs to go to the toilet.'
• 😀 Keep toilet time to a maximum of 5 minutes to prevent your child from seeing it as a punishment.
• 😀 Don't force your child to poo in the toilet immediately—start with gradual steps to help them overcome any fear.
• 😀 Respond calmly to accidents—stay positive and guide your child to the next steps without expressing frustration.
• 😀 After an accident, practice the entire toilet routine, from pulling down pants to flushing and washing hands.
• 😀 Make sure your child feels comfortable on the toilet by ensuring their knees are higher than their hips.
• 😀 Accidents are a normal part of the process—don't react negatively as it can increase fear and accidents.
• 😀 Gradually introduce your child to the toilet by letting them sit on it with a nappy first, eventually removing it step-by-step.
• 😀 Use training pants with extra absorbent layers to allow your child to feel discomfort from small accidents, encouraging them to use the toilet.

Q & A

What is the first step in toilet training a child?

The first step is ensuring that your child is ready for toilet training. This means they should be able to stay dry for 1-2 hours and have soft, regular poos. If the child is constipated, it's best to wait until that is addressed.

Why is it important to use training pants or underwear instead of nappies during toilet training?

Training pants or underwear help children differentiate between wet, dry, and dirty. Nappies absorb moisture too well, making it hard for children to recognize when they are wet, hindering their awareness during training.

What should a parent do if they aren't ready to completely eliminate nappies during toilet training?

If a parent isn't ready to completely get rid of nappies, they can let the child wear undies inside the nappy. This helps the child feel wet or dirty, motivating them to use the toilet more effectively.

How should parents approach asking their child about going to the toilet?

Instead of asking if the child wants to go to the toilet, parents should point out the child's body signals (e.g., jumping or squirming) and directly state, 'Your body says it’s toilet time.' This removes the option for refusal and reinforces the child’s bodily awareness.

Why should a child only sit on the toilet for a maximum of five minutes?

Sitting on the toilet for longer periods can be seen as a form of punishment and may make the child anxious about using the toilet. A five-minute limit ensures that the child doesn't associate toilet time with discomfort or frustration.

What should a parent do if the child refuses to poo in the toilet or potty?

If the child is reluctant to poo in the toilet, parents should use a gradual approach. Start by letting the child poo in the bathroom while still wearing a nappy, then slowly transition to using the toilet once the child is comfortable.

How should parents respond to accidents during toilet training?

Parents should stay calm and avoid expressing frustration. Instead of yelling, calmly acknowledge the accident and help the child change, saying something like, 'It's okay, let's go to the toilet and get changed.' This approach helps reduce anxiety and fear around accidents.

Why is it important to change a child into fresh clothes in the bathroom after an accident?

Changing the child in the bathroom allows them to practice the steps involved in using the toilet, like pulling down their pants, sitting on the toilet, and washing their hands. It also helps them get used to the smells and sounds of the bathroom.

How can parents ensure that their child is comfortable when sitting on the toilet?

Parents should ensure that the child’s knees are higher than their hips when sitting on the toilet. Using a stool for foot support can help the child relax their muscles and make it easier to go to the toilet.

What role does using a gradual approach play in helping a child with pooing in the toilet?

A gradual approach helps ease the child’s fear and discomfort with pooing in the toilet. Starting with familiarizing them with the bathroom and slowly transitioning from a nappy to sitting on the toilet allows the child to build confidence and reduce fear.