Understanding Potty Training
What is it? A developmental milestone where children learn to use the toilet independently. Most children complete daytime training between ages 2-3, but readiness varies.
Common Phases:
- Pre-Readiness (18+ months): Learning vocabulary and body awareness
- Readiness Training: Understanding toilets, enjoying potty sitting
- Active Training: Practice runs with successes and accidents
- Independence: Consistent potty use without reminders
Common Signs to Monitor
✅ Good Progress:
- Staying dry 2+ hours, waking dry from naps
- Coming to you when wet/soiled
- Showing interest in potty or hiding to eliminate
- Cooperating with practice runs
⚠️ Watch For:
- Resistance or fear of potty
- Holding back bowel movements
- Increased accidents after progress
- Constipation or pain with elimination
How to Treat at Home
Build Readiness:
- Teach vocabulary: pee, poop, potty (use often)
- Point out body signals: "Your pee wants to come out"
- Let them watch others use toilet
- Make diaper changes pleasant
Practice Runs:
- Offer potty sits after naps, meals, or when showing signals
- Keep positive - never force sitting
- Limit to 5 attempts per day maximum
- Praise cooperation first, then successes
Setup for Success:
- Easy-to-remove clothing (training pants only)
- Keep potty chair accessible
- Handle accidents calmly: "You'll get better at this"
When to Contact Poppins
📱 Contact us when:
- No progress after 3 months of consistent effort
- Child develops negative attitude or strong resistance
- Holding back bowel movements
- Questions about your approach or timeline
When to Visit Your Pediatrician
🩺 Go to an in-person appointment when:
- Child over 2½ with completely negative attitude
- Child over 3 and not daytime trained
- Won't sit on potty after multiple gentle attempts
- Chronic constipation or developmental concerns
When to Go to the ER
🚨 Seek immediate emergency care if your child has:
- Severe constipation with vomiting or inability to pass stool for 3+ days
- UTI symptoms with fever or blood in urine
We'll check in with you 24 hours after your visit. If your gut tells you something is wrong, don't hesitate to reach out.
