Toilet training for toddlers is one of the main task in our parenting life. It is a natural process where every baby will start to learn how to use toilet like all the big kids do. Do not rush and keep pushing them as we do not wish to create stress and fear which is the main reason of failure.
When our children show signal that they are ready to be toilet trained, it is just a time taking process to help them develop this skill. If you have a toddler who are yet to get trained, here is the article for you.
In this article, i will be sharing 9 common challenges we face during toilet training for toddlers. If we manage to overcome these challenges, i say we are really close to achieving the goal.
It will be a huge saving for the family too by cutting down huge amount of diapers. So, read on.
Best time to start toilet training
Children are physically ready to get trained mostly falls between age of 18 months to 4 years old. This is the time when they have more control over their muscles.
Not every child can be trained as early as 18 months old. Everyone has his/her own pace in learning skills. Read “how to potty train a toddler” to learn my simple steps to successfully potty trained my child. Now, let’s us look at the 9 most common challenges when toilet training for toddlers.
9 Common challenges with toilet training
Patience is the key point. Toilet training a boy may take a longer time than a girl. It is a time consuming process to develop this skill. Rushing and pushing may not be a good idea as it will create more fears and stress which causes failure along the way.
1. Resistance towards toilet training
Sign of resistance means he or she seems reluctant to sit on the potty. It is a sign to show whether he/she is ready to be potty/toilet trained. If he/she is able to sit quietly and play toys while sitting, you can start to do it more frequently especially when she/he wakes up in the morning, after meal or 30 minutes after drinking lots of water.
2. Accidents
It is very common to have accidents during potty training. When they do, treat him/her with patience and tell him/her softly you should not pee on the floor next time. No scolding, yelling or show sign of unhappiness. Babies can sense that you are not happy. So, you should not get upset. Punishment and scolding your child will often make them feel bad. And it will take more time for toilet training.
3. Cannot tell the need to urinate
It is common for your child not able to tell when there is a need to pee. That’s is why accidents happen because he/she is yet to learn how to control his/her bladder.
4. Touching and play with their own feces and urine
It is a natural occurrence that kids love to touch and explore. It is out of their curiosity by touching and playing with it. You will not be surprised to see your child is touching and playing with the water inside the toilet and trying to touch the poop. Once you see this, stop them and just tell them it is not a good thing to play with.
5. Fear of toilet
Many children may be scared of sitting in the toilet afraid that they may have fallen inside the big hole. Get him/her a suitable baby toilet seat or potty will solve this problem.
Related post “Best potty training seat“.
6. The urge to pee or poop
It is common that young kids do not understand the urge to pee or poop. They used to pee or poop anytime they want inside the diaper without learning and realizing the urge to go toilet. It is the time you need to wait until they slowly understand the feeling to urinate or has a strange feeling from the bottom. Accidents happen couple of times and they will slowly pick up the signal.
7. Pee on the bed
Usually potty training will start during daytime and if they manage to learn how to sit on the potty or toilet to pee and poop, you have achieved half of your goal in toilet training. The other half will be night time or nap time potty trained. It takes longer time for boys than girls. Some boys even have wet bedding occasionally when they are 6-7 years old.
Your child may take a little longer time to complete nap-time and nighttime toilet training. You should encourage your toddler to use the potty immediately before going to bed and as soon as they wake up in the morning. If necessary, wake them up in the middle of the night to pee.
Another way is to get them on the nappy at night, once they learn to wake up in the middle of the night to pee and no more wet nappies for consecutively 1-2 weeks or months. You are rest assure they have successfully potty trained.
8. Afraid of going to the toilet alone
It’s normal for a child to depend on other person in the early stages of training and only want to go to the toilet with the that person. If your child insists to go toilet with you, please get yourself ready to help him/her during the process. It is also safer for adult to accompany them to the toilet as they may hurt themselves in the toilet.
9. Regression
Potty or toilet training is a major skill they learn in their early childhood years. If you are too harsh or pushing too hard will cause failure and you will have to wait for a proper time to start over again. Fear and stress are two components that your kids face most likely will cause failure during the learning process.
Conclusion
Toilet training for toddlers will be a smooth learning process if you give ample time for them to pick up the skills. It is a time consuming process. The challenges will be all resolved if you learn how to potty train your toddler in step by step.
Please share your experience with us and your sharing will become another example for the new parents out there. What is your challenges when you toilet train your toddler?
Happy reading.