Perhaps toilet training is the most painful process for us mothers. There are many question marks in our minds. When should we start? Are we late or did we start early? How does wearing a diaper at night affect the process? What if an accident happens while you are visiting and you lose your diaper? We have always heard that this training is important. If it is so important, we will get through it more easily if we pay attention to what we do. Here are the things we need to pay attention to…
To start toilet training, the child must be physiologically, psychologically and developmentally ready. The most suitable age range is considered to be between 18 months and 36 months. Since children's individual development varies, this period is variable for each child. The first reason to start toilet training after 18 months is that the child is expected to reach a certain level of muscle development that will be able to hold the child's pee and poop. In addition, he/she must have the language development to express that he/she has gone to the toilet. After deciding that your child is developmentally ready, the mother/caregiver should also consider whether the mother/caregiver is ready for this process and consider whether both parties are ready, especially when situations such as the birth of a sibling, divorce, death of a close family member, starting a new school, moving are imminent for the child. A quiet period where time is not experienced is ideal for the beginning. Conversations about toilet training in your child's environment may cause him/her to feel that this process is "very important" and cause him/her to experience stress.
As the first step, we should tell our child what we will do. Saying "you are not a baby anymore, babies make meringues" will make things difficult. Our approach should be motivating and encouraging, such as "now you are older, you can go to the toilet like us." During this period, the child may not want to give up diapers. It is not right to be persistent and It creates the environment for stubbornness. In this case, it would be appropriate to postpone it for 10-15 days by saying "well, we will try it when you feel ready."
When you start training, first of all, you must be patient and determined. Unfortunately, there is no longer an alternative to wearing diapers again. Removing the diaper at once during the day and night helps children understand the process more easily. If there are certain times when your child pees/poops (for example, 15 minutes after meals), which you have observed before, it will be useful to direct your child to the toilet at these moments. Apart from this, you should not forget to remind him every 2 hours during the day and take him to the toilet once or twice at night. While sitting on the toilet may seem more frightening to children at first, using the potty may be more attractive. If you are going to use the potty, it is important that it has a fixed location (it should be used in the toilet) so that the child learns where to use the toilet when it comes. Sometimes choosing the potty and underwear together can make the process attractive for children. At first, children may feel anxious when they sit on the toilet and may not want to go to the toilet right away. To keep them there for at least 5 minutes, books specially designed for toilet training can be chosen, short songs and small games can be used. We should definitely use verbal rewards when he goes to the toilet. It is also useful to reward short-term stickers for children who we think will have a difficult process. (There may be a small surprise if you buy stickers 5 days in a row)
What about accidents... We have to be prepared for accidents. You can approach him without getting angry or critical and tell him that he can use the toilet next time. Accidents are perhaps the most troublesome point for mothers, but we should not forget that Incorrect attitudes as well as choosing the right time can harm children's development. During this training, it is very important to spend more time in your own home, perhaps remove some carpets, use a mattress protector on the bed, and have plenty of spare clothes with you if you go out.
Toilet training should not be considered as just leaving the child in diapers. This training is completed by the child going to the toilet without needing anyone, collecting his clothes, flushing the toilet and washing his hands after completing his toilet needs.
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