Toilet Training Infants And Toddlers

Toilet Training Infants And Toddlers

The question many parents and caregivers ask themselves is when can a baby learn to control his bladder? To answer this question we are going to review what other parents and caregivers say.

A baby can learn to control his bladder when he is provided with the opportunities to do so. This can be done using elimination communication anytime in the early stages of life and even early toddlerhood. Experts have established that infants possess the physical capability to delay elimination and respond to cues to use a potty as early as two or three months.

When can we can we say that babies are considered officially toilet trained?

Toilet training greatly depends on your definition of what toilet training is. Some parents and caregivers claim that being potty-trained means that most of the poops and pees end up in a toilet with only the occasional accident. Others say that being potty-trained means a child must self-sufficiently, without any parental help, use the potty and never have an accident. The child with a parent that follows the first scenario as a definition will be easily potty trained much sooner than the child of the second parent.

Does early toilet training help you save money?

Early potty training can save you thousands depending on how early you start. Once your child is toilet trained you will save money on diapers, diaper wipes, clothes (yours and baby's) that become soiled due to diaper blow-outs, and water and laundry soap if you are using cloth diapers.

When is it recommended to start elimination training for infants?

You can start elimination training method with the newborns. Elimination communication practices are intended towards teaching parents to understand their young infant's elimination habits and how to respond to their cues.

Here below is what the experts say about elimination communication?

"There is no evidence that waiting to potty train children benefits them in any way. In fact the continued delay in training has created problems for them that are only now being recognized and explained." Diaper -Free Before 3 by Jill M. Lekovic, M.D.

"There is little question that children can be toilet trained by one year of age" Pediatric Annals, May 1999

"There is no specific age when children become aware...of their toileting needs. We should offer them cues to tune in to the signals from their bodies (see your baby flushed and grunting, take him to the potty...)" Diaper -Free Before 3 by Jill M. Lekovic, M.D.

"Infants do gain a lot of experience eliminating into a little potty, and the results are often impressive. Many six-month-olds who have been worked with from birth rarely wet the bed or have accidents." Early-Start Potty Training by Linda Sonna, Ph.D.

Concisely, Infant Potty Training is a cooperative process that involves the management of the baby’s hygiene usually in combination with cloth diapers. Diapers are used casually as needed with this approach, often part-time. Toilet training a toddler is an aim oriented activity involving discouraging  diaper usage quickly after a child has worn diapers full-time for two or three years.

Finally, with infant potty training, your baby has the chance to communicate pre-verbally, to indicate their need to use the potty now and then from their earliest abilities.