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Hi
I’m Jan Faull the potty coach and proud member of pull-ups training pants
potty training partners. I’m also the author of the book Mommy I Have to
go Potty. This is a radio program for people with babies so you might
be thinking what do babies have to do with potty training? Well lots. Now
I’m not talking about the trend referred to as infant potty training.
I’m
here to let you know that with babies as young as six months you, the parent
of your six month old, can begin familiarizing your child with toileting.
Please keep in mind that your child will not use the toilet independently
until he or she is between two and three years old. But just as your child
is soaking up information about eating and sleeping your child can take in
messages about toileting. These messages will serve him well when potty
training actually gets under way. Here is what to do.
Once
your child can sit well when you go into the bathroom take your child with
you, set your child on the floor when you use the toilet, and be sure that
the space is safe and clean. Children as young as five months can follow a
sequence of events therefore as you use the toilet speak about the steps
involved. Your child won’t understand every word but in time she will,
that’s how children learn language. I’m pulling down my pants, now I’m
peeing in the toilet, I’m going to get some toilet paper, I’m going to pull
up my pants, next I’ll flush the toilet, now it’s time to wash my hands.
After
only a few trips to the bathroom your child will catch onto your routine and
will look to you to perform each next toileting step. It’s so simple and so
important. Your child is learning even at six months old the language that
goes along with toileting and the steps involved. You don’t need to take
your child every time you go but take him once or twice a day, if you do I
promise when your child’s body and mind are actually ready to use the toilet
your child will have the important steps down. Plus she won’t be afraid of
the toilet; she will be familiar with it.
Now I
know you might be embarrassed or modest but somehow if you can shed those
inclinations your child will benefit. You’re not a voyeur; you’re a parent
demonstrating an important aspect of daily living. After all everyone eats,
sleeps and eliminates several times every day. Children are copy cats so
whether you are saying please and thank you, brushing your teeth or using
the toilet, your six month old is watching. Take advantage of the baby’s
ability to copy your behavior by taking your child into the bathroom with
you. That’s all you need to do with regards to toilet training when your
child is between six months and one year old. Once your child’s first
birthday has come and gone there is more you can do.
Listen next time and I’ll tell you all about what to do between 12 and 18
months. In the meantime go to
http://www.pullups.com for more information about toilet training.
Thanks for listening. Good bye for now from Jan Faull AKA the potty
coach.
