Toilet Training Toddlers What You Need To Get Started

By Colleen Langenfeld

Do you have a toddler who is ready for potty training? Once you have established the fact that she is physically and emotionally ready to be trained, then what?

Here is an easy list of items needed when toilet training toddlers.

– Potty chairs.

This, of course, is the first consideration. You’ll need a potty chair, a miniature toilet that sits squarely on the floor and is the perfect size for your toddler. You also have the option of choosing a potty seat, which is a kid-sized detachable toilet seat that fits on top of the adult toilet in your bathroom.

A potty seat means your child can climb up, through the use of a step stool, and sit on the adult toilet as she is potty trained, thus eliminating the need to empty out and clean a potty chair bowl.

However, this technique is rather advanced for some children. Many toddlers simply don’t feel comfortable climbing up high on the big toilet and some kids require help in doing so. Consider the bathroom space you have for a separate potty chair as well as your child’s temperament when choosing between a potty seat or chair. Or choose a potty chair that can turn into a potty seat when necessary.

– Clean clothes and undies.

Trust me, you’ll need LOTS of clean clothes and toddler underwear. Accidents will happen and if they don’t, you are one of the rare cases.

Make sure clothes are easy on and off and that your toddler can get them up and down by himself.

Toddler underwear is an important issue, too. There are many different types of potty training underwear, some washable and some disposable, some waterproof and some not.

In general, you need to know that disposable training pants can be a convenience, but they also prevent your child from feeling the wetness of an accident and thus don’t work well with all children.

It is often motivating for a young child to get “big boy” or “big girl” underwear with either pretty colors or beloved characters decorating the undies. Consider the physical size of your child (how much urine there is in case of an accident) and how you will use the training pants (at home or on the go) when you choose potty training underwear.

– Wipes. And more wipes.

Obviously, you’re going to need a mountain of wipes while toilet training your toddler. You probably already have these on hand, so just make sure to stock up before you start training.

– Protective surfaces.

Beds, furniture or car seats need to be protected from potty training accidents. Sometimes it is just a matter of a waterproof or water resistant piece of fabric added to a chair or car seat.

Sometimes, you’ll need something more substantial, such as a waterproof mattress pad to protect your child’s mattress at night.

– Fun – and needed – stuff.

You’ll also need some motivational toilet training resources. You probably won’t want all of these; just a select few that will appeal to your particular toddler.

Potty training dolls or stuffed animals, watches, training books and videos, prizes and rewards all fall under this category. Do some research on each, such as the reasons why each can help and listen to other parents who have used them, then choose accordingly.

Keep in mind that resources designed to motivate a toddler are only going to work for so long. Be prepared to cycle items out of your child’s potty training and reintroduce them at a later time, when “new” again.

Toddlers have a notoriously short attention span, so you’ll need more creative ways to use your resources than actual resources themselves.

So remember, when toilet training toddlers, get ready before the actual training begins. You’ll need a potty chair or seat, extra clean clothes and undies, lots of wipes and items designed to reward and motivate so as to keep your toddler’s interest in this potty training game high until it becomes second nature.

Don’t forget to add your patience, flexibility and lots of hugs to the potty training method you choose. Your toddler is counting on you to lead the way to this important milestone on his journey to growing up.

About the Author: Colleen Langenfeld has potty trained four kids and helps other moms get more out of their mothering at http://www.paintedgold.com . Toilet train faster using her potty reward charts and creative ideas plus uncover more about

toilet training toddlers

by visiting her website now.

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