As your baby grows, they become independent by learning mandatory life skills. This makes a parent excited and motivated with the child's growth. More attention is needed when the baby moves from diapers to potty training, which is a step towards using the toilet independently.

Potty training is challenging and requires a lot of patience. It’s difficult to know the best approach for every child learns differently. If your child is ready, you can assist them in using the potty in a few days. This is a significant milestone as it develops the kid's independence and also increases their confidence.

The primary reason for potty training in children is to teach them how to recognize the sensations they feel in their bodies before using the potty. Also, putting on and off their clothes using toilet paper and also cleaning their hands. The key to training success is patience and an awareness that all babies reach this important milestone at their own pace.

Types of potty

• Baby potty with closing lid

This baby potty is placed on the floor where the kid has to sit and poop inside. It has a closing lid used to keep it closed and safe.

• Kids potty chair

The baby potty can serve as a chair for the child and also as a potty. It has a bowl where the poops goes and then gets emptied into the toilet.

• Toilet seat potty

This toilet seat potty will make the baby enjoy using it since it is comfortable and simple to use. The sitting position is supported by the potty tank, which is the backrest that takes care of the kid's spinal cord. The base is also firm, meaning there is no potential for slips or falls.

What is the perfect period to start potty training?

No. There’s no right time for a parent to start potty training. Some babies are trained around 18 months of age, while others may not be ready until 2 to 3 years. If a child is showing signs of readiness, a parent can start the training.

Signs of readiness for potty usage in the baby are;

• Interest in the potty.
• Hide when eliminating their diapers.
• The ability to follow simple instructions
• The child notices staying dry or wet with diapers
• Pull down diapers
• Get to the potty, sit for some time and get off

Here are best 11tips for potty training:

Potty training can be tricky, especially while starting off the baby. However, following tips will help a parent /guardian on how to start the baby off with potty training.

• Be prepared

It’s good if you go with your kid for potty shopping. Allow them to choose a potty /toilet training seat by themselves. Let them choose their favorite color and also their pants/underwear.

• Be calm and patient.

Training a child on how to use the potty is a new skill and is very challenging. It takes time to master and get used to it. It may feel frustrating to a parent, but they will get there in their timing.

• Try being positive

Motivate your child by praising them for trying or doing well on the potty usage. Most babies react well when being praised and encouraged on what they are doing. This may lead them to even ask to use the potty by themselves.

• Make it fun

Let the baby enjoy sitting on the potty, even with clothes on; learning to use it doesn't have to be boring. As the baby enjoys sitting on the potty, training them will be easier.

• Pick the right potty.

Look for a perfect and durable potty which will not tip over even when the kid jumps up and down or uses the potty chair to drive off all over the house.

• Sing a potty song.

Make the child excited even before the start of potty training by singing and dancing potty songs to the baby.

• Put the potty out in the open.

It’s a good idea to place the potty where your kid can see and get used to it even before you start training the baby.

• Cleaning hands

Teach the baby how to clean their hands after using the potty. This will motivate the baby because many kids like playing with water. The child will develop good hygiene practices from an early stage. Allow the baby to use soap while cleaning their hands and teach them the importance of washing after using the potty to kill germs.

• Difference on gender

When it comes to potty training, boys have a bigger learning curve than girls. Boys have to learn when to sit down and stand up as they should stand when urinating. It's okay to start with the sitting practice as you gradually teach them to pee.

• Don’t force

Do not force the child to remain on the potty until they pee/poo. If they say they cannot, just help them off and try again later.

• Natural timing

It’s good for a parent to check the time a baby poops and keeps a record. This will make you know the time the baby needs to poop and also recognize the signs. However, you must be quick enough to encourage them to potty time.

Potty training is a great experience but not mandatory for every child to learn within a particular time. Parents should understand their children's developmental stages to know when it's right. However, one should never worry when the timing is late it will surely come.