Potty Training 101

When I found out my boys would be 18/19 months apart I promised myself that I HAD to get Mason potty trained before the baby was born. I refused to buy diapers for two in two different sizes. I could've, had I not had a book long list of complications that ended in bed rest. 

Before he even turned 1 he was interested in the bathroom, so what was one of his birthday presents? Well a potty of course. I can't say his interest was a result from us bringing him into the bathroom with us since he could get around, but its likely. Taking him with us is also why he learned to brush his own teeth before 1 and take his clothes off before a shower. Its likely thats to blame after all kids are like sponges...they absorb everything!

Well I didn't get him potty trained before the baby was born, but when the baby was about 3 months he started refusing diapers. That's when I knew he was REALLY ready. Prior to this he would become frustrated at the sight or word potty, so I had to back away. 

Once he refused diapers it was a breeze. I kept the potty within his sight AT ALL TIMES and him naked. I tried underwear, but he wasn't quite ready for pulling up and down yet, so naked was best. I focused on day training first then night. Day training took a little over a month to get him to do on his own. He still has accidents every once in a while, but the key is to encourage and not discourage or punish for him. Do not put him on a schedule. Let him feel the sensation of what it feels like to HAVE TO GO! They may have numerous accidents until they learn, but when you see it happening go sit them down. Soon they will realize that the sensation and the potty go together. Do not scream or spank or they will think going to the bathroom is bad. Be gentle so they can understand, and celebrate everything because at least he tried.

Night training I put off until he had day training down, and even then he would wake up dry most mornings. Basically I limit his fluid intake after 5pm. He eats dinner gets a drink, then a drink in between dinner and bed, and his milk at bedtime. He always sits in the potty before  we put him to bed, and if he whines in his sleep we get up and take him. That isn't perfected yet, but for the past 2 weeks he's been waking up every night sometimes twice, uses the bathroom and goes right back to sleep. Even if he wakes up and is wet, take him. 

Things to look for:

Taking off diaper/pull up

Holding legs tight

Touching the area

Pointing at it or the potty

Simply saying potty 

Again his potty training isn't perfected, but in less than 3 months he has gone from diapers all day and night to underwear in the day and pulls ups at night just in case. A bag of 21 pull ups lasts us about 6 weeks. 

I will soon be writing a post about how we trained him for out of the house. :)