7 Stages of Potty Training

There are seven stages of potty training. They begin with showing signs of potty training readiness and conclude with being able to use the toilet away from home.

Signs of Readiness - The first stage of potty training begins when your child shows the following signs of potty training readiness:

· Expresses an interest in the potty
· Express the need to go potty (verbally or through body language)
· Able to dress and undress
· Uncomfortable in wet diapers
· Stays dry for two hours
· Imitates family members
· Interested in big kid underwear
· Has regular bowel movements

Introduction to the Idea of Potty Training ? When your child shows a majority of the signs of potty training readiness, it's time to introduce him to the concept of using the potty. This can be done by reading a potty training book as a bedtime story or watching a potty training video or DVD together. Purchase a potty chair and let your child watch you use the potty. Children will often imitate family members.

Sit On the Potty ? When your child has been introduced to the concept of potty training, he will probably imitate family member and sit on his potty chair while you use the bathroom. This is a good time to teach good hygiene such as wiping and washing hands after using the potty.

Use the Potty Sometimes ? Be sure to give your child plenty of liquids and take him to the potty every 30 minutes. This will help build muscle memory. The first time your child uses the potty, make a big deal of his huge accomplishment. A hug, encouraging words, or a small reward can be good motivational tools and help your child feel proud of his or her accomplishment.

Use the Potty Alone ? As your child gets more comfortable with the potty and his ability to control his bodily functions, he will go to the potty by himself. He will then come tell you about it. Again, this is a time for lots of praise and encouragement.

Transition to the Toilet ? When your child is comfortable using his potty seat, it's time to transition him to the toilet. Many children are afraid of falling in, so you may need to purchase a toilet seat adapter such as the Flip-N-Flush or the PRIMO's Ducka toilet adapter. These devices reduce the size of the toilet hole, thereby making you child feel more secure.

Use Potty Away From Home - The last stage of potty training occurs when your child is able to use the potty away from home. Thankfully, there are many portable and disposable toilet seats available to keep your child from coming in contact with public toilet seats. Many public bathrooms have auto-flush toilets with electronic sensors. These sensors often fail to detect that a child is seated on the toilet and cause the toilet to flush repeatedly, scaring the child. Devices such as the Flush-Stopper prevent auto-flush toilets from flushing while your child is seated.

Some children breeze through the seven stages of potty training in a matter of weeks, while other children take several months to complete potty training. Your child's progress depends on his or her stage of development, your potty training knowledge, and the potty training products you have available.

Copyright 2004 ZIP Baby. All Rights Reserved.

About The Author
Danna Henderson started ZIP Baby in order to provide parents with comprehensive potty training information as well as a large selection of potty training products. For more information about potty training, or to browse the potty training store, visit the When to Start Potty Training.

In The News:


Independent Online

Why does a baby cry?
Independent Online
Over the years, there have been many advocates of leaving babies and toddlers to cry. Mothers were told their babies were just “exercising their lungs” or that continually picking up a crying baby would “spoil” it. More recently spells of crying have ...


Baby Prince Harry's 1984 Christening Ravaged By Rowdy Toddler Prince William ...
Huffington Post
Two toddlers running around for a minute or two. they were babies themselves. William couldn't have been more than two. Typical behavior for any two year old, and his dad did pick him up a couple of times.He wasn't screaming or anything or hitting ...

and more »

Gloucester County Times - NJ.com

Baby Instructions: Help! My toddler is having a meltdown
Gloucester County Times - NJ.com
So when you see your toddler do something just like you, know in your heart that you are doing a great job. Blythe Lipman is the president of Baby Instructions. She is passionate about babies, toddlers and their parents. After working in the field for ...

and more »

1100 enter Baby and Toddler of the Year competition
This is Hull and East Riding
MORE than 1100 proud sets of parents have entered their children into the Mail's Baby and Toddler of the Year competition. Photographers at St Stephen's shopping centre were overrun with parents trying to squeeze their children in across the weekend, ...


BABY TALK: Cleaning baby's teeth
Bradenton Herald
When you are bathing your baby you can wrap a soft wet cloth around your finger and gently rub your baby's gums. This will feel good to your baby as well as get him used to having his gums rubbed. Babies start the teething process around 3 1/2 months.

and more »

BlogHer (blog)

9 Ways Sign Language Can Benefit Your Toddler (and You!)
BlogHer (blog)
Katie goes into great detail about they whys of how sign language can benefit your toddler -- and you. -Jenna] 1. Sign language provides the ability to communicate earlier than speech You probably already know that babies and toddlers are able to ...


Daily Mail

Many Moms Don't Know Their Babies Are Overweight
WebMD
By Denise Mann May 8, 2012 -- Many moms of chubby toddlers don't realize their babies are large for their age, and this misperception may be setting the stage for their tots to grow up to be overweight or obese, a new study shows.
Most Moms Wrong About Babies' Body SizeHuffington Post
Most Mothers Can't Tell Their Toddlers are Overweight13WHAM-TV
Mothers cling to chubby ideal for toddlers: studyHealthNews
Press TV -Daily Mail
all 39 news articles »

Daily Beast

The Bogus Breastfeeding Debate Over Nursing Older Kids
Daily Beast
One in four American babies never tastes his mother's milk. By a year, only about one child in five is still nursing. Our national statistics don't even bother counting beyond that. But around the world, the peak age of weaning falls between about two ...

and more »

Exmouth Journal

Toddler fun at Exmouth Festival
Exmouth Journal
On the Wednesday it will be 'Bumps and Baby', a relaxed session for families expecting or with new babies. On the Thursday there will be 'Little Explorers' , a fun, sensory play for babies and toddlers upto aged two using low cost every day resources.


VIDEO: Why I breast-feed my toddler
Seattle Post Intelligencer
About three-quarters of US mothers say they breast-feed during their baby's first days and weeks of life. Then it drops off fast. But by 2020, the nation's health goals call for more than a quarter of babies to be exclusively breast-fed through their ...

and more »
Google News

Theory of Child Cognitive Development

Jean Piaget has allowed us many insights into child cognitive... Read More

Young Child Games-But When Do I Stop Playing Baby Games, You Ask?

As a baby matures and starts to show the first... Read More

Baby Shower Game Distraction

The best baby games for baby showers to entertain all... Read More

Infant Car Seats

Finding the best car seats for your child: To escape... Read More

Weaning A Baby Onto Solid Food

The best time to wean your baby onto solid food... Read More

Choose Baby Bedding Wisely

Every adorable baby deserves equally adorable baby bedding to complete... Read More

Baby Shower Decorations

When decoration for a baby shower, there are a few... Read More

Make Your Baby Shower a Success with the Perfect Table Setting Decorating Idea

The perfect table setting decorating idea will be determined by... Read More

Babies: How to Get Your Children Excited About the New Arrival

The sudden appearance of a new baby can be rough... Read More

Robeez Shoes ? A Baby Shower Gift That Moms Will Thank You For

Robeez shoes help your baby put their best foot forwardIf... Read More

Selecting a Baby Shower Theme: Easy as One Two Three

No aspect of party planning is more crucial and sometimes... Read More

Shared Dancing has Benefits for Babies and New Moms Alike

Every parent knows the calming effects on their baby of... Read More

Yikes! My Child WON?T Share! What Do I Do?

Years ago my husband and I attended a parenting class... Read More

Important Features to Consider When Buying a Baby Crib

With all the different features of baby cribs, it can... Read More

Four Problems and Solutions on Feeding Your Newborn

Parents always want to give their babies the very best.... Read More

Movement and Infants

Besides the fact that they were built to do so,... Read More

Why Convertible Cribs Make Sense

Who doesn't love cool gadgets that morph into dozens of... Read More

Backpacking With Children: My Own Adventures

When I had my firstborn I thought I new everything... Read More

Dressing A Toddler, Whomever She Is Today

Some things we take for granted. Like getting dressed. Unless... Read More

Potty Training Your Child: The Five Potty Training Methods

There are many different ways to potty train your toddler.... Read More

The 7 Biggest Baby Sleep Mistakes That Parents Make

When parents face difficulties with infant and child sleep issues,... Read More

When to Have a Baby Shower

When to have a baby shower is a personal choice.... Read More

Hello World: Babys Third Month Guide

Remember how you wished your baby would learn there is... Read More

Gift Giving For Baby

Since they are you friends or relatives, chances are you... Read More

Babies Bring Love, Joy, and Opinions

The old saying "babies aren't born with instruction manuals" has... Read More