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How Will You Know Your Toddler is Ready for Toilet Training?
- Your child follows simple instructions given by you
- Your child understands the words related to the toilet, such as potty, poop and pee
- He understands the difference between potty and pee
- His diaper is dry for 2 hours or more
- He can go to the toilet, sit on the toilet seat, and can get off it
- Your child can pull down the diaper or underwear on his own
- Your child shows an interest in using a potty seat or wearing underpants
Toilet Training With Pants
Nowadays, disposable training pants are also available which can be used to toilet train a toddler easily. After using training pants for a few days, notice for how long they stay dry. If they remain dry for longer periods, you can shift to regular underwears. Some parents are not comfortable with the idea of using toilet training pants for their toddlers as they believe that these pants may make their kids believe that it’s okay to soil them at night instead of using a toilet.
Tips for Toilet Training Your Toddler
- Start using words such as ‘poop’, ‘toilet’, ‘potty’ and ‘pee’ in front of your toddler to get him used to the idea of potty training.
- Make sure your child understand the difference between the words.
- Get a potty chair to get your child started.
- Let your child start sitting on a toilet seat with his clothes on just to have a mock training before they can go without pants.
- Set aside some time to toilet train your child regularly.
- If you wake up your child at night to get him to pee or poop, then take him to the regular toilet.
- Make your child known that it is not okay to soil clothes at night.
- Let your child wear simple clothes when toilet training so that he can take them off easily without your help.
- Do not scold your child if he soils his clothes as it will only frustrate him.
How to Toilet Train an Autistic Child
Children with autism show the same signs of readiness for toilet training as other developing children do. But the signs might appear when the child is a bit older and the training might take longer than expected. These are the signs that you should look for in an autistic child to understand if they are ready for toilet training.
- The child can tell you when they have soiled their clothes.
- They can easily take off their underwear or pants.
- They can follow instructions such as ‘go to the toilet’.
- They have regular bowel movements.
- They have enough bladder control.
- The best way to toilet train an autistic child is by rewarding them every time they use a toilet. You can praise them verbally. Non-verbal cues like clapping also work well to encourage their behaviour. You can reward the child with a sweet treat or their favourite healthy food to encourage the toilet using behaviour. Children with autism are visual learners so promote the toilet training activity by using pictorial charts. Practice the methods 3-4 times a day and twice at night. Take your child off diaper or training pants after you are assured of them not needing it.
- The best way to toilet train a stubborn child is to use the boot-camp method. This involves filling up your toddler with liquids and not using a diaper. Your child will not be able to hold it in for a long time. Once the alarm goes off, your child will immediately tell you about his need to visit the loo. This is when you make him sit on the toilet seat. Reward his behaviour so they are encouraged to use the method henceforth. This method works well for children who have the habit of holding it in. But try this method only when you are at home.
- You can handle this issue by reading some books on toilet training your toddler or even watch videos that cater to the topic. To make toilet training for toddler interesting, you can weave some stories that will keep your child engaged. Some parents also let their kids take their favourite toy inside that encourages them to use a toilet. Do not allow your child to take any gadgets as it will lead them to develop the habit.
- These toilet training tips and tricks will work wonders. However, be patient with your child as it might take around 3-6 months to train them completely. For some children, it might take even more.
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