Potty Learning
From the ONCDC Blog
As children become young toddlers, we recommend introducing the concept of sitting on the potty instead of changing their diaper on the table. Most parents begin this process as a part of the bath time or good morning routine. You will know your child is ready to sit on the potty when she clearly refuses…
Books about potty learning can be a great way to start talking about and to introduce using the the potty. Sometimes we adjust the words to the individual child or our family word choice. But using real words and talking openly is crucial to supporting our children’s growth. Books are a good way to begin…
Boys will stand up to pee at any point once they have made the connection. It is probably easiest to introduce your son to stand-up peeing closer to or after his second birthday when he has more balance, height, and control. It is likely that once he realizes he can stand up to pee, he…
This is a very common challenge for parents. As adults, we can empathize with the desire to just be naked and free, especially for children who spent most of their lives wearing uncomfortable diapers. We recommend being honest and up front with your child about when they can and cannot be naked. At school, we…
If your infant will not lie still for a diaper change, then they are trying to tell you they are ready to take on more responsibility at diaper time. They are telling you they will not be passive recipients and they need to participate! You can give your infant an opportunity to lift their legs,…
If your child is struggling with using the potty, having frequent accidents, holding poop, or very stressed, you may have moved to underwear too soon. If you think it was too soon and after a week or two it hasn’t improved, we recommend telling your child, “It seems like pooping in the potty is really…
Once children are consistently using the potty they may be ready for underwear. In our experience it is common to see parents who are eager to make the switch to underwear too early. We recommend waiting until your child is consistently dry in their diaper for a week or so and consistently pooping in the…
Potty learning starts with the diaper change. Each time you change your child, you are helping her understand how her body gets rid of waste, what we need to do to take care of her body, and how she can participate. Talk to your child with respect especially through a diaper change. If we distract…