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Delayed Potty Training
Toilet training is a new skill that a child has to learn and acquire during his early stages of development. Most parents start thinking about potty training when their child is between two and two-and-a-half, but there's no perfect time.
When they are physically as well as physiologically ready, children become able to control their bladder and bowels. Nevertheless, every child is different but, generally, most children their bowels before their bladder.
THE FOLLOWING PRESENTS A SUMMARY OF THE STAGES OF POTTY TRAINING:
- By the age of one, most babies cease to pass stool at night.
- By the age of two, some children will be dry during the day. However, this is a bit early.
- By the age of three, nine out of ten children are dry most days. However, some children may still have the odd accident, especially when they're excited, upset or pre-occupied with a certain activity.
- By the age of four, most children are reliably dry during the day. It usually takes a little longer for children to learn to stay dry throughout the night.
- Between the ages of three and five, up to one in five children aged five sometimes wet the bed.
TIPS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
- It's easier to start the child's potty training in the summer.
- It’s best to take it slowly and go at the child’s pace.
- Patience and properly dealing with one's frustration when the child has accidents are very important during the potty training process.
- It is better to try potty training when there are no great disruptions or changes to your child's or your family's routine.
- Consistency in dealing with the child's behavior and reaction to the potty is very important.
- Taking a potty even when going out and ensuring that the child uses the potty at the nursery can help in ensuring this consistency.
- A child can never be forced to use a potty if he is not ready as he won't be able to use it. However, with time, He/She will want to use one as most children would hate to go to schools with diapers the same way adults would hate to see them do so.
SIGNS THAT YOUR CHILD IS STARTING TO DEVELOP TOILET CONTROL:
- He shows interest in others' bathroom habits
- He gets aware when he has got a wet or dirty diaper
- He knows when he is passing urine and may tell others or sign that he is doing it.
- The gap between one wetting and the following one is at least an hour
- He shows that he wants to pee verbally (saying in advance), or by using signs, fidgeting, going somewhere quiet or hidden.
- He is able to sit on the potty and get up from it when he finishes (with or without minimal help).
- He can follow instructions and is able to understand what is being said to them.