Should I start now? Should I have started last month before we started traveling? I need help!
“When should we start potty training?” is the often-dreaded question that parents ask when they are at that point where their child is usually going to start preschool and needs to be potty trained. For some, it is a turning point in their child’s life where they are transitioning from toddlerhood to childhood and suddenly no longer their “little baby” (although they will always be our little baby). For whatever reason you are reading this, I want to provide some potty training facts and statistics about when to start and follow up with some suggestions based off my experience potty training toddlers and children as well as those with autism, sensory processing disorders, and dual diagnoses.
Also, I want discuss how I was able to identify that my 12 month old daughter was ready and able to start potty training readiness skills and she now consistently poops in the toilet twice a day. No more dreaded poopy diaper changes! Hooray! I believe that you can start potty training readiness skills as early as 1 years old, or sooner. It all depends on your baby and when YOU are ready. Let’s dive in!
What does the Mayo Clinic Say?
According to the Mayo Clinic, children may show signs that they are ready between 18 and 24 months, but some may not be ready until they are 3 years old.
The suggested signs include:
Can your child walk to and sit on a toilet?
Can your child pull down his or her pants and pull them up again?
Can your child stay dry for up to two hours?
Can your child understand and follow basic directions?
Can your child communicate when he or she needs to go?
Does your child seem interested in using the toilet or wearing "big-kid" underwear?
Potty Training vs. Potty Training Readiness
When I think of potty training, I think of it as a finite process, that is there is a start and end date which is decided by the parent. However, when I hear potty training readiness I think of it as an early and continuous process that is led by the child.
I really like how Andrea Olsen of Go Diaper Free explains potty training readiness skills: “Teaching some building blocks” as critical components for preparing for later independence.
Potty Training Around the World
Kenya: Mom-Supported Potty Position
In Kenya the potty training process starts early and the mother would search for signs that the baby had to go potty after eating or napping. The mother would sit with her legs extended out, baby on lap towards her knees, and imitate the sounds of going by saying “shuus.” A similar method was adopted for pooping.
Vietnam: Whistle While You Pee
“From birth, parents start to look for signs for their baby’s needs of emptying bladder and bowel. They also observe intervals between” -according to Anna-Lena Hellström, a professor who published a paper about potty training methods in Vietnam. When the mothers noticed the signs, they would hold their babies over a potty and make a whistling sound while the baby went pee. Eventually this whistling sound was meant as a cue to tell the baby it was time to go potty after the ate.
China: Potty Pants
Did you know in China they have special pants for the potty training process? In parts of China babies wear split-crotch pants which make going to the potty easier since they do not have to pull their pants down. Similar to Kenya, parents start looking for the first signs their child is going potty in the first few weeks of life and once they notice the cue they hold their baby over the toilet to pee.
US: The Age Keeps Getting Older
A literature review of potty training start dates in the Jornel de Pediatria revealed the following interesting statistics:
In the US in 1947, 60% of children were potty trained at 18 months.
In 1974, about 60% were trained by 33 months.
By 1980, the average potty trained age decreased to 25 to 27 months.
However, in 2003 the age increased to 36.8 months.
How did I know that my 12 month old daughter was ready?
1. She was interested in mommy going to the potty.
Whenever I would use the toilet she would look curiously at me and paid close attention to my narration of the process.
2. She was interested in the bathroom, toilet, toilet paper, and most things related to the potty.
My daughter could not keep her hands off the toilet paper and seemed curious about the function of it.
3. She did not poop in her diaper in public (even as a newborn) and would instead poop while in the car seat, or when she got home.
I knew that meant she was averse to having a soiled diaper, whether that was due to a sensory component (i.e. she did not like the way it felt when soiled), or social component (i.e. pooping while in public). I used this as an advantage towards starting potty training readiness early.
4. She could understand simple directions.
5. She was receptive to starting the potty process.
For example, when we knew the signs that she was going poop, we transitioned her to the toilet, she pooped and she was happy that we were excited that she went in the toilet.
6. We were ready to start!
When Should YOU Start Potty Training?
I want you do what is best for YOU and your baby whatever direction you take. Gather the necessary information for you to feel comfortable to begin potty training and start the process when you and your baby are ready.
If you need potty training assistance, contact Southbay Parent Coaching to get started. We are here for you on your potty training readiness journey!
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