Beginning potty training takes some thought and preparation on the parent’s part. When you think your child might be ready to start using the potty, consider switching to cloth diapers and training pants. Choose easy to wear and remove clothing for the child and avoid potty training pressure.
Use Cloth Diapers and Training Pants
Even if you’ve used disposable diapers on your toddler since birth, it’s helpful to switch to cloth training pants and nighttime diapers while potty training. Disposable diapers and pull-ups absorb moisture so well that the child doesn’t feel uncomfortable when he’s wet.
Cloth training pants and diapers may give him an incentive to learn how to use the potty. Alternating back and forth between disposable and cloth training pants may be confusing and may prolong the potty training process.
Dress the Child in Easy to Remove Clothing
Easy to remove clothing, like elastic waist sweatpants and shorts, are much easier for a child to pull up and down than pants that snap and zip. Likewise, overalls are too complex for a young child learning how to use the potty. Timing is crucial when a potty-training child has to go to the bathroom and complicated fasteners slow him down and decrease the chance that he will be successful.
Training pants and sweatpants that are one size too big also make it easier for a child to pull his pants down quickly when he has to rush to the potty. The idea is to make the logistics of potty training as easy as possible to increase the child’s chance of success.
To take it one step further, if your child is potty training in warm weather, you can skip clothing all together. Some children have an easy time potty training if they don’t have to bother with pants at all. Once they get the hang of using the potty or toilet, introduce clothing back into the equation.
Avoid Potty Training Pressure
It is crucial to avoid pressuring a child to use the potty. Pressure can lead to power struggles and can create potty-training resistance. The child should feel like he is using the potty because he wants to, not because he is being forced.
If the child has developed resistance to the potty, it’s helpful to take a break from potty training for a bit. It could simply be a sign that the child wasn’t ready. When you begin potty training again, keep the mood light and offer encouragement.
Potty training doesn’t have to be stressful. When the timing seems right for your child, prepare by stocking up on cloth training pants and easy to remove, potty-friendly clothing. Avoid pressuring your child to use the potty and before you know it, he’ll be out of diapers for good.
