7 Things to Avoid During Potty Training Success
Potty training can be a daunting process for parents. You might be worried about whether you’re doing it right. First things first, there’s not “right” or “wrong” here but there are ways you can set your little one up for success! You’ll have a smooth experience if you not only know what to do but also what to avoid during potty training.
Here are 7 things to steer clear of to help you get your child potty trained without endless potty accidents (and without a giant headache).
Quick Disclaimer:
If while checking out these tips you realize you’ve already made some of these common mistakes, don’t worry! The intention of this is NOT to make you feel bad. Seriously, don’t be hard on yourself.
We are all learning and doing the best we can with the information we have.
The good news: There’s always time to make a change. Focus on how you can adjust your approach and continue supporting your child in their learning journey.
1. Don’t start potty training when your toddler is constipated
Beginning potty training when your child is already constipated can lead to bigger issues.
If your child has dealt with chronic constipation, before you begin potty training, take the time to address constipation. Work with your child’s healthcare team to identify the root cause of constipation so that your little one isn’t dealing with an uncomfortable poop situation when you potty train.
A few general strategies to promote healthy bowel movements:
Ensure your child is well hydrated
Offer your child fiber-rich foods
Incorporate movement and physical activity
Constipation isn’t the only thing to consider before getting started.
Check out more potty training prep tips here!
2. Avoid Frequent Potty Visits
It might be tempting to take your child to the potty frequently, but this can really get in the way of their learning to recognize their own body cues.
Instead of relying on you to prompt them to go potty, encourage your child to listen to their body and initiate bathroom trips themselves. This builds on their independence and confidence!
Frequent potty visits also means frequent tinkles, and frequent tinkles means the bladder is not fully filling up. When this happens, your child will not even get the chance to learn what the full-bladder sensation feels like.
I know it’s hard, but seriously, you will get further in potty training quicker if you don’t take your child to the potty every 20 minutes!
3. No Long Potty Sits
Sitting on the potty for extended periods can lead to discomfort and even negative associations with the experience.
Keep potty sits short (about 3-5 minutes tops) and fun so your child enjoys the process.
In the beginning, your child may need a few minutes on the potty to get comfortable enough to eliminate, but once they get the hang of it, potty sits should be short and sweet!
4. Don’t Force Your Child to Sit on the Potty
Forcing your child to sit on the potty is a big no-no!
When it is a time where you are instructing your child to go potty as part of their routine, before leaving the house, etc., use a gentle instruction and pair it with something enjoyable afterwards.
For example, “It’s time to go potty before we get in the car. When we get in the car, I’ll put your favorite song on!” This will help you avoid power struggles and keep potty time a positive experience.
Other than routine potty times, remember to help your child learn to listen to their body cues so that they can initiate when they have to go potty.
5. Avoid asking “Do you need to go potty?”
When you ask your child if they need to go potty, there is a strong likelihood they’re going to say "no," even if they really do need to go. This especially applies to those early days of potty training.
Rather than asking, try putting the control in your child’s hands by giving Potty Reminders. This helps them learn when it’s time to go without giving them the chance to refuse.
6. Never Reprimand Your Child for Potty Accidents
Accidents are a part of potty training. Your child is learning a very big new skill and that may mean some uh-ohs along the way.
You don’t want to “okay” the accident and you also don’t want to create negativity around it. This can lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment, and I know you don’t want that for your child. Reprimands for accidents can also lead to withholding or even more frequent accidents. I know you don’t want that either!
Instead, think of a potty accident as a learning opportunity.
Approach accidents with support and encouragement. Make a simple statement that pee and poop goes in the potty, help your child get cleaned up, and give them some reminders of what to do next time.
7. Don’t punish your child for having a potty accident
Like the tip above, making your child clean up after an accident can create negative associations with potty training. Sure, your child may be able to tell you what they’re supposed to do when they need to go potty. But, that doesn’t always mean that they have mastered all the skills to actually make it in the potty.
There is a very high chance that your child isn’t intentionally having potty accidents.
Rather than punishing your child, focus on reiterating the expectations for next time. Think about how you can provide ongoing encouragement to promote potty successes and how you’re going to reinforce them when they do happen. This promotes a more positive experience.
Moving Forward with Potty Training
Potty training can be a challenging experience for parents, kids, and caregivers but it doesn’t have to be! When you have the right tools & simple strategies that you can realistically put into action with your little one, you *can* have a positive potty training experience!
