Potty Training: Part I

Is your baby walking? It’s time to start potty training! WHAT?!? I’m not talking lose the diapers, I’m talking lose the changing table.

Yep, if your child spends most of their time vertical, then you don’t need to throw them horizontal to change a dirty diaper. Save yourself from wrestling an alligator on table! Walk your little alligator to the bathroom and change their diaper standing up!

Scurrrr!! Pump the brakes…I know, I know, you think I’ve lost my mind, but I swear I’m not crazy and it’s not as hard as it sounds…you’ll thank me later, trust me! This will do you SO many favors when it is actually time to lose the diapers since they’ve already been making the association of elimination with the potty.

Here’s the steps you need to know: 1. move diapers and wipes to a cabinet under the sink or in a portable caddy that your child can access, 2. ask your child to get their own diaper, 3. remove dirty diaper – if soiled, use diaper for initial “wipe” and ask your child to touch his/her toes so that you can properly clean their fanny. Because think about it, if they’re touching their toes, that’s the exact same position as if they were on their back and you were throwing their legs over their head, right? 4. put on clean diaper – hold front to tummy the whole time as you fasten each hip, naming “left” & “right”, 5. ask child to throw dirty diaper in the trash and wash hands.

Now look at this diapering experience through your little one’s eyes…they are offered so much more control and independence! PLUS, it’s a learning experience – retrieving & disposing of their own diaper, touching “toes”, “left & “right” velcro. Before you know it, your child will be bringing you a clean diaper when they have a dirty diaper before they even have the words to tell you. How empowering for that child! And THIS is where confidence and success begins that will last a lifetime…in the most unexpected places sometimes, huh??

Happy toileting!