Just as with all developmental milestones, when it comes to Potty training, every child has his own pace. Some toddlers adjust to potty training in a few days, but many take several months. Many find that the older the child is, the easier and quicker it tends to be.

Find below 6 steps to start potty training for your chid:

1. Potty training equipment

Buy a potty or a toilet step stool or training seat. Disposable pull up pants or cloth training pants that are similar to regular pants, but have an absorbent pad inside to cope with small accidents are other wearables available in the market to help parents train their toddlers.

If he shows an interest, explain to him that mummy, daddy and any older siblings do not wear nappies but sit on the toilet every time they need to pee or poo. You can make him feel that it is the grown-up thing to do and now that he is big it is time for him to do so as well. If he gets the idea and manages to poo, that’s great.

2. Be consistent

Make your child sit on the potty after he has just had a wet or dirty nappy. This reinforces where the pee and poo is meant to go. It also encourages him to get used to the potty and accept it as part of his routine.

3. Demonstrate how it’s done

The next time he poos in his nappy, take him to his potty, make him sit and see you empty the nappy into the potty. This will help him make the connection between sitting and pooing. After you’ve emptied his potty into the big toilet, let him flush it if he wants to, but don’t make him do it if he is scared. Then encourage him to dress himself and wash his hands when he is done.

4. Praise

When your toddler uses the potty successfully, give him lots of praise. However, don’t go too overboard, as he may find too much fuss overwhelming. Even if he continues to have accidents, he will start to grasp that getting something in the potty is an accomplishment.

5. Cope calmly with potty-training accidents

When he has an accident, calmly clean it up without any fuss and suggest he uses the potty next time. Sit him on the potty afterwards, to show him where the pee or poo should have gone. Scolding or punishing them will only make matters worse for the next time.

6. Watch for cues:

To try to prevent accidents, watch out for your child’s cues. Wriggling, holding his bottom or sometimes just going quiet are all signs that he may need to go. Encouraging them to first relieve themselves in the potty and then continue their activity is an alternate to pushing them to potty.

Also, there are lots of story books available about learning to use a potty which can be read to your child. So, to all the potty trainers out there, we at YouCare say: Keep Calm, Train On!

With inputs from Dr.Rajiv Arya, #313, Sector 7, Panchkula. He can be reached at 9592-553-137. Also, his profile can be viewed on YouCare.