Simple Tips For Successful Potty Training | Tennessee Valley Urology Center

Every parent wants to know that their child is on track with other kids their age when it comes to developmental milestones. In particular, potty training can cause a great deal of apprehension in parents and children alike. The truth is that every child has their own pace for getting out of diapers and becoming self-reliant in the bathroom, and Tennessee Valley Urology Center has put together some tips to help parents make sense of their situation.

Among the most helpful experts to consult in your family’s potty training travails is your local urologist. With a strong medical understanding of the urinary system, a urologist knows that potty training isn’t anything to rush. Some children will take a longer time to master this life-skill–and that’s perfectly natural.

Here’s what urologist want parents to know:

Your child needs to be ready.
Mastering the potty has nothing to do with a child’s intelligence, and parents should not feel guilty if their child is “late.” Many moving pieces need to be just right in order to start potty training–and achieve success. A child’s bladder must be developed, plus their physiologic and behavioral maturity. Your child has grown so accustomed to using diapers that learning to listen to their bladder is actually more of an unlearning process.

A common sign of readiness is the ability to communicate when they need to use the potty, either by using their words or by gesturing to their diaper. But the best sign that your child is ready–and will likely be successful with potty training–is when they want to use the potty like a “big kid”.

Slow and steady “wins”–but it’s no race.
* Keep in mind that frustration is in direct opposition to potty training success, and begin with slow and steady steps.

Read books to your child about getting rid of diapers and using the potty.
Create your family’s vocabulary around using the bathroom.
Get a potty chair and let your child sit on their potty fully clothed.
Get training underwear and practice sitting on the potty without diapers.
Choose certain times to practice on the potty, when your child will be most likely to need the potty.

Accidents happen, and that’s totally natural.
Potty training is all about learning a new skill, so please don’t see it as a time for punishment. Potty training regression happens, accidents happen and sometimes bed wetting happens too. But these are things a pediatric urologist can help with. Children with certain medical conditions, like UTIs or constipation can also struggle more with accidents or regression.

At Tennessee Valley Urology Center, we specialize in both pediatric and adult urinary systems. We are here to help families throughout Bradley County and beyond–just give us a call at (423) 472-3201 to schedule an appointment. And visit our website today to learn more!