My daughter is just over two and has been showing alot of interest in learning to use the potty. She actually goes potty several times a day if we encourage it. She has not pooped on the toilet yet and when we ask says now. I was wondering if anyone has good advice on books for helping with Potty training. She is my first so I have never done this before.
they are all good but for your own sanity don''t get the one that makes the flushing sound! That one DROVE me CRAZY!!!
Hi H.,
We used "Once Upon a Potty," which has versions both for boys and girls. It's wonderful.
Our daughter was potty trained by a daycare worker over a weekend who specialized in potty training -- the way she did it was she said the potty was only for big kids, and the children who weren't willing to use the potty weren't even allowed in the room, which gave the room itself a kind of mystique that the children were attracted to. They wanted to achieve, so they decided to be big kids and use the potty. She got even 18-month old kids to use it! Then we reinforced at home.
One thing I've learned about pooping -- kids really respond to your offer of PRIVACY. I would notice that my daughter would crouch behind a door to poop in her diaper. She used to HIT me and scream when I'd put her on the potty when she needed to poop. Finally I said, "Would you like some privacy? Mommy will turn around." Or "Mommy will be right outside the door...." That seemed to do the trick. So when it came time for my son to learn, I immediately offered privacy as part of the deal -- that big kids who use the potty need privacy to do their business.
Also, praise is important, and admiration (because that's what big kids do), but making a huge party about it, for some children, can be scary and off-putting. You know what your own child will respond best to, but I agree with the advice to avoid being flustered or upset over accidents. Also, one you start potty training, don't return to diapers as it will set your child back.
Children sometimes are afraid of pooping because it hurts a bit or they think a part of THEM is coming out, which is scary. Make sure your child is drinking plenty of water so that she needs to pee often and so that her stools are soft. Reassure her if she seems afraid that it's not a part of her body coming out, it's just waste from the food she ate, and that keeping it in can make her feel yucky.
We usually did potty training boot camp, where we'd pick a warm, sunny weekend, let our child play outside half-naked, drink lots of water and have a potty or two strategically placed for easy access in the yard.
Keep pets away from the potty -- my dog ate an enormous baby poopie once which completely sent me round the bend! ha ha
All the best,
These are wonderful times!
S. Waltner
Childbirth Educator
My daughter really loves Elmo, so we went and boughtv the "Elmo Potty Movie" as it is referred to in our house. It was really great and she wanted to go potty all the time after that. Maybe see if you can find a movie or book with a character that she likes or is familiar with that would help. Good luck!
Hi H., It sounds like she's ready! My almost two year old daughter was trained at 22 months when her little sister was born. Just keep it simple. I got one of those seats that fits right over the toilet and she had already been going poop in there so I told her she's too big for diapers and that if she needed to go potty to let me know. I also put the thick cotton underwear on her (Target has them). She picked it up in a snap, with a few accidents now and then. You might want to put a diaper on for nighttime; she ended up taking hers off and wears her undies to bed. I also did this with my now ten year old son when he was around three. Good luck!
Marina
I just finished potty training my 2 1/2 year old. We went through several stages. 1st she was wanting to potty, I let her whenever she wanted to, then I was gone for a weekend and my husband put diapers back on her. We had to start over, she wanted to go on the potty because then she could wear big girl panties. We used a lot of praise when she went and hollered hooray every time she pottied on the toilet. Also, setting a timer for every 1 1/2 hours helps to remind you that she needs to be told to go potty. The first time she pooped on the toilet I made a big deal out of it and we had to look at it before it flushed, when daddy got home she had to tell him about it and he made a big deal about pooping on the potty to. It just takes time and lots of patients. (remember don't get upset with her when she has an accident on your carpet or on your furniture)
Good luck
There is a wonderful video called "Potty Power" that I used with my son. He absolutely loved it. He was potty trained in only 2 days after watching the video for a few days. Good luck!
