Many parents that visit our website Potty Training and Bedwetting Solutions ask us the same questions on an almost daily basis. Here are the most common problems during Potty Training as well as some solutions:
You Don't Know What Kind of Words to Use. Your child should clearly understand what "pee," "poop," "dry," "wet," "clean," "messy," and "potty" mean. Teaching your child these words and routinely using them during the potty training stage.
You Don't Know How to Reward a Child. Praise or reward your child for cooperation or any success. All cooperation and efforts should be praised. For example, you might say, "You are sitting on the potty just like Mommy," or "You're trying real hard to put the pee-pee in the potty." If your child urinates into the potty, you can rewarded them. Although a sense of accomplishment is enough for some children, others need treats to stay focused. Treats like raisins, animal crackers, fruit slices and cookies or stickers, as well as praise and hugs. Big rewards (such as going to the candy or ice cream store) should be reserved for when your child walks over to the potty on her own and uses it, or asks to go there with you and then uses it. Continue to praise your child frequently for dryness and using the potty.
Your Child Doesn't Recognize the Need to Urinate. This is normal. Some children don't gain complete bladder control for many months. With bedwetting this can last even longer.
A Toilet Is Not Available. Your child will need to learn that before a long trip, to try and use a bathroom to go potty, even if they don't really feel a strong need at the time. In many cases a bathroom will not be available or just not close enough, when it's really needed, so you should teach your child to urinate outdoors. This may come in handy for other occasions. When learning to potty train, your child may not and it is not recommended to hold urination. This isn't a problem for little boys, but little girls must learn to squat so their feet and clothing are out of the way. You can help your daughter by showing her the appropriate position and physically supporting her as she squats.
Your Child Tries to Play With the Feces. This simply stems from curiosity. Be understanding, but firm, and without upsetting your child communicate by simply saying, "This is not something you want to be playing with."
Your Little Boy Insists on Sitting Down to Urinate. The majority of boys will want to sit while learning to potty train. After learning to urinate sitting down, and when he has mastered bladder control, communicate by explaining to him that he is a big boy and can go potty standing up. He may pick this up on his own, or as he sees his daddy or other male friends or family members going to the bathroom.
Your Child Resists Going to the Potty. Resistance usually means, it's possible that it's just not the right time to start potty training. In cases where your child is older than five years old and you observe your child seems to need to urinate or have a bowel movement, try taking him to the potty. Keeping your child seated on the potty for only a few minutes at a time, and communicating with your child what it is you want to happen and why. Be casual and calm toned with your voice. If he protests strongly, don't insist.
Your Child is Having Accidents. Accidents happen a lot in the beginning of the potty training stages. Most children have accidents, and bedwetting is considered common even after six to eight months. After an accident occurs, remember to stay calm and treat them lightly and try not to get upset. Punishment and scolding will often make children feel bad and may make toilet training take longer and create feelings that your child can not handle at this young age.
Your Child Gets Upset When Stools are Being Flushed Away. Some children believe that their waste is part of their body. A child usually feels very scared and frightened in this stage. It's a hard thing for them to understand. Communicate with your child the purpose of body waste, and the body's need to eliminate it into the toilet. Try having your child say "good bye poop", while flushing and easing the stress with a happy toned voice. Or try hand waving good bye to their own poop. This can reverse the reaction to a positive one, and can make a fun game.
Child's Bowel Movement Occurs or Urinates Right After Being Taken Off the Toilet. This happens early in the potty training stages. It really takes time for your child to learn how to relax the muscles that control the bowel and bladder. If this happens a lot, it may mean your child is just not really ready for potty training. Try again in a few weeks.
Your Child Asks For a diaper When a Bowel Movement is Expected and Hides or Stands in a Special Place. Your child has the ability to briefly postpone urinating or having a bowel movement. They may go off and hide and come back wet or soiled, or may wake up from naps dry. This indicates there is physical readiness but, may not be emotionally ready to be potty trained. This is not a failure to potty training, this lets you know that your child is recognizing the bowel signals. Think positively and keep suggesting that he or she have the bowel movement in the bathroom on the potty.
Urination While Sleeping. Nap-time and nighttime bedwetting Bedwetting Solutions training will take a little longer. Encourage your toddler to use the potty immediately before going to bed and as soon as they wake up. Communicate to your child that in the middle of the night if they have to use the toilet, they can call for you or get you up to help them go to the potty at night or nap time.
Going to the Potty With One Particular Person. This is very normal with most children. If your child will only go potty with you, gradually withdraw yourself from the process. You can offer to wait with your child, and help get them undressed, or walk your child to the bathroom. But wait outside the door and pop your face in and out of the bathroom just enough times so that your child knows you are real close if they need any help.
Regressing Back to diapers. Anything that causes a child stress may encourage the return to a previous level of potty training development, particularly if the change is recent. Stress can include so many things like an illness, new baby, or a move to a new house. Stress in your child's life now days is considered normal in most children. What can stress your child may not stress a another child. Stress can be as simple as changing a daily routine.
Don't Begin Potty Training Until Your Child is Clearly Ready. Readiness does not just happen; it involves concepts and skills you can begin teaching your child.
Daniel Urmann is the president and co-owner of Potty Training and Bedwetting Solutions.
