Potty Training 101

I went to Legacy Moms, my monthly how to be a better mommy get-away and got a step-by-step lesson on how to potty train. This is something we haven't had to embark on yet but I know it is quickly approaching. Thanks to Lisa who gave me this information. I am forever grateful for many reasons! All I did was put it in writing. Heehee! Hope it helps you or someone you know. You know, we're in this together. Might as well help a motha' out!

Potty Training Method

How to know when your child is potty training ready:

1. Can talk verbally
2. Can do 2 step directions successfully. Ex. Please get your shoes and bring them to me.
3. Needs to be drier for a longer amount of time (2-3 hours or so).

Terms to use:

• Teetee (urinating), Poopoo (bowel mvmts), Potty (toilet) and night time pants (pullups)

NOTE: Only use the regular toilet, no potty chair. Can use a step stool. Always put child on toilet yourself. MUST BE HOME FOR THREE DAYS!!! You are officially quarantined to your house!

Items you need:

1. Cloth-training underwear Will be in the infant section not by children’s underwear.
2. Plastic undies (used for naptime to put over cloth-training underwear)
3. Flannel tablecloths (cut into 4’s, put under them during naptime. Can also use the potty training pads used for dogs (potty pads). They have plastic on one side.
4. For nighttime, use pullups but call them “night time pants” so they don’t think they’re diapers.
5. Smarties (for teetee praise) and M & Ms or skittles (for poopoo praise)

First Day:

• Get excited! You say, “We’re going to put on your panties/undies! No more diapers for you!”
• Put panties/undies on them first thing when they wake up. You only need training panties/undies. No need for bottoms during potty training as you will be taking them to the bathroom every 15 minutes. Less to mess with.
• Have a timer they can see but can't touch and set for 15 minutes. Every 15 minutes you tell them with excitement, “We’re going to the potty!” (use discernment on every 15 minutes). Never ask them when they need to go in a question. Always be in charge and tell them it’s time to go to the potty. When buzzer goes off, get excited, see if they’re dry, you AND the child give a good pat to their front with their panties/undies on to see if it’s dry. They get one smartie if they’re dry. If they’re wet, you are very sad (NEVER angry/mad).

• Sit them way back on the toilet, with their hands in front. This helps them lean forward. Sit in front of them (step stool if needed for comfort). They’ll be tense when you sit them on the cold toilet so wait for their body to relax. Get them to sit for one to two minutes. Just talk to them and get them to relax.

NOTE: If you hear them go teetee, say, “Oh, good job” QUIETLY. If you get all excited, it will scare them and they might tense up and quit teeteeing.

Another NOTE: Don’t expect them to go the first day.

Second Day:

• If no success the first day, go every 15 minutes. If success the first day, go every 30 minutes. Watch their fluid intake (If they’ve had a bunch of fluids, then take them more frequently. Again, use discernment.).

Third Day:

• If no success AFTER the end of 3 days, take a break for a month.

Other tid-bits of information:

SUCCESS = going on potty 2-3 times a day

If they’re starting and stopping teeteeing while going, don’t go back to diapers. That’s success.

No disciplining during potty training, just positive and sad.

If you’re doing the wiping (should happen until age 4), use germ-x for their hands.

When wiping for bowel movements, have them stay sitting on the toilet and bend towards you. They’ll almost be hugging you while you bend over them to wipe. If it’s less solid and needs a wet wipe, make sure it’s flushable-safe.

For boys, have them “tap, tap” their peepee after teeteeing. Don’t need to wipe. If the boy urinates straight out (you will learn this the first time they teetee on the potty, get a plastic cup and have them put in front of their peepee so the urine will go in the toilet and not in your face).

I'd love to hear what worked/didn't work for you since I haven't personally done this yet. Have a blast! Hah!