The Happiest Students
An ideal time to begin potty training is after babies can sit up by themselves but before they can walk. Once tykes start toddling about on their own, they are constantly on the move, and it is harder to get them to sit still and relax on the potty. If they're already accustomed to the potty when they begin walking, they may be delighted to use their two newly-mobile legs to take themselves there.
Introducing the Potty
While carrying your baby to the potty, speak excitedly to communicate that you have a wonderful surprise for her: “You're going to sit on your potty! Isn't that wonderful?” Your tone matters far more than the words, of course. Your exclamations of delight on seeing your little darling sitting there will probably be enough to convince her that she is doing something wonderful. If so, you will probably see a broad smile and excited waving of arms and legs.
A Captive Audience
After babies have learned to sit up by themselves and before they learn to walk, two things are certain. Youngsters like to socialize, and their social calendars tend to be pretty empty! One thing they do enjoy is impressing the big people in their lives. Sitting on the potty can give them that chance. Babies do not exactly have lots of activities on their agenda, and are usually far more agreeable than toddlers to staying put for a few minutes.
ESSENTIAL
For the baby-track method, children must be able to sit on their own without slouching, listing, tilting, or needing a prop for at least thirty minutes. Until your baby can sit by herself, she is not ready to sit on the potty!
Potty Fear
If your baby is reluctant to try new things, place the potty in the play area for a few days so he can see it. Put a stuffed animal in the bowl and say, “Peek-a-boo!” as you lift it out. After a few days of assorted games, try sitting him on it. The sensation of cold plastic on a bare bottom can be very disconcerting, so leave the diaper on the first few times you put your baby on the potty. Since potty chairs are low to the floor and hot air rises, they are usually much cooler than parents anticipate. If his potty is small enough, it may be possible to sit him on it and hold him on your lap while reading him a story. If he wants to get off, remove him from the potty before he cries or gets upset. One bad experience can take a long time to overcome.
ESSENTIAL
If you get a little smile when you put your high-strung baby on the potty, smile back and remove her quickly. Make sure all of her experiences are positive so she will gladly sit there again.
Potty Fun
Babies love to impress their parents. They love being cute. They adore showing off. If you let your baby know just how cute she is as she sits on her little potty, however briefly, she will soon decide it is a great place to sit. If you play pat-a-cake or “So Big,” or initiate a Mommy's-gonna-tickle-you game, her staying power may well rival yours.
FACT
Using the potty is far more hygienic for babies than wearing diapers. In fact, using the potty is the best cure for diaper rash. Also, the toxins that leach from disposable diapers and the harsh chemicals used to clean cloth diapers can cause allergic reactions.
Babies can have fun engaging in the games parents invent to make sitting on the potty enjoyable, or they can feel overwhelmed and discouraged when they are expected to fulfill demands they cannot even fathom. Your baby's self-esteem depends on your ability to create reasonable goals.
Keep the tone of every learning session relaxed.
Quit the minute your baby loses interest.
Do not insist that your baby sit on the potty when she wants off.
Place a blanket or carpet under the potty to prevent a hard bump from a fall. Above all else, end each session
