Yep, at the age of 18 months, my toddler is potty trained.
Having a diaper-wearing baby, nothing is more rewarding than this. My confidence as a mother has just spiked by 2%.
Let’s be honest, no one wants to work for free. It’s rewarding when you work hard and you finally get paid.
To put all jokes aside, I’ve worked so hard to achieve this, and I want you to have an idea, of how hard.
Went to bed at 12 am after backtesting on the charts. Only to wake up by 2 am to put my infant on the potty and wait like 30 minutes for her to actually use it. By the time she’s finished, she no longer wants to go back to sleep but instead play. Taking that time to play with her feels like wasting time for me so while she’s playing next to me, I hop on the computer and do something constructive. Between 3 to 3:30 am, she’s now going back to sleep. Finally, some nap. Come 6:30 am I’m up ready to start my day once more. Picture being in this routine often, since your child was 3 months.
Now that’s my explanation of why my confidence as a mother has spiked. I’ve worked hard for this and I feel great to see the results.
But please take into consideration that is how my late night early morning goes, not forgetting there’s also work to apply during the day time. The day times are busier and those times are when I do not always keep up with potty training, so the diaper stayed on A LOT.
Here’s how you can potty train your infant from 3 months old.
1. Why do you want to potty train?
We all have reasons for doing what we do. Ever since studying Criminology that statement has made more sense to me than it probably ever did in the past. You want to potty train, why do you want to potty train? Ask yourself this question. When you’ve answered this question, you can actually take the next step to start potty training. Not only that, but it will inspire you to keep going because you know your why. I wanted to potty train as early as possible because I decided that I was going to put diapers on my infants. Handling number 2s in diapers isn’t fun.
I prefer to use diapers because to me it is cleaner as opposed to commercial diapers where I am uncertain of what chemicals are being used. And environmentally friendly due to its reusability, as well as cost-cutting.
2. Purchase a good comfortable potty.
Now that you know why you want to potty train. You need to make that idea a reality.
There are plenty of options to choose from but I recommend BabyBjorn’s Potty Chair, it’s a really great option. You can use it from as early as the baby’s first day, all throughout their potty stage. I’ve purchased mine via that same link and my toddler has been using it since she was 3 months old. She loved it ever since and still does. My eldest loves it just as much, that she no longer prefers to use hers.
3. Start potty training!
Like anything you’re doing where you desire to be successful, you have to commit yourself. No buts, no what ifs – you have to commit yourself.
You do not have to follow the rules. Do it your way as long as it works for you and your infant. Do not beat yourself up, take your time.
Your main goal when each day comes is to get your young one out of the diaper more, and on the potty more. Getting them used to being on the potty, will help them become comfortable. A customary practice is to take the nappy off when at home and allow them to go bare and guide them to the potty often even when you do not see their urge. I’ve always maintained this practice through Elimination Communication which Leslie Garisto Pfaff talks about here. Of course, there will be accidents (A LOT), but it’s a part of the training.
You can also become a big kid when it’s time for you to use the “potty”. Do a potty dance and allow them to see, then run to the “potty” and use it, let them see. They will eventually understand why you’re there.
4. Remain consistent.
As I’ve mentioned, to be successful at this you have to remain consistent. You might notice your child is potty trained sooner or later. As your child starts showing signs of successful training remember to always let him or her know they’re doing a great job.
When my child uses it and then brings it to me, I’m always saying something like, “Yes baby! well done, good job, give mommy hugs.” She enjoys my response by showing a big smile on her little face and with that she feels motivated to use her potty when she needs to.
Now about those accidents, in the event of those, I usually respond something like “Lu! Come on! Remember you have to go on the potty, ok baby”. At this point, her mouth is in the shape of an n. So, I’ll usually respond, “Come give mommy hugs. It’s ok, just remember to go on the potty, ok?”
After which, I’ll put the potty closer, so she can see it and remember.
. . .
That ladies and gentlemen, is how I potty trained my toddler by the age of 18 months.
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