How To Potty Train A 2 Year Old

Several people have asked me how I potty trained my 23 month old. Well, I’m no genius. I just did what my Mother told me to do. LOL!

Seriously, she didn’t coin the term “Naked and $75″ but that’s basically what she did to potty train me and my sister when we were 2, without coercion or stress. And that’s the method I used.

All my kids were potty trained, even at night, at 2. I believe that there is a window that takes place at around this age and if you miss it, your child will likely be in diapers for another year or so. It does take a relaxed attitude because of the messes that will happen, but the messes are important in my opinion because all creatures are uncomfortable with soiling in their living space, babies are no exception.

I thought I would share a few tidbits from an article I wrote a couple of years ago on the subject.

Cloth Diapering and Potty Training

For me, potty training starts with a newborn. Cloth diapers seem to encourage babies to train early. I think it’s because the babies begin to make the association with the uncomfortable wet feeling and the knowledge that they can prevent it. I’ve noticed that my babies seemed determined to remove their diapers at around 18 months of age, so this is a good time to introduce the potty. Sadie would remove hers the instant it was wet or soiled for at least a couple of months before she was trained.

Most babies will wake up dry in the morning at several months of age, demonstrating that they are physically able to “hold it”. The idea that children take years to develop control is inaccurate, something that millions of parents all over the world demonstrate when they practice elimination communication. (And in fact doing EC part time also helps, my EC’d kids trained several months earlier than non EC’d. Part time could be as relaxed as just placing baby on the potty every morning first thing – most of the time they’ll go.)

Let your baby come into the bathroom when you go.

That way, they know what’s going on in there. You don’t have to get graphic, just talk to them about what toilets are for. If you are a woman at home all day with boy children, encourage Daddy to show ‘em how it’s done. You don’t want them thinking that if they go on the toilet their equipment will fall off, like Mum’s obviously did. Strange, but true…some tots will come to this conclusion.

Buy 3 or 4 of those cheap little molded plastic potties and put them around the house.

At least, one in each bathroom and one in the kitchen or the room where you spend the most time with your child. Stick a towel underneath for the sake of your carpet if said child is a boy. Speaking of boys…you can take advantage of nature here by keeping an open mind. I know at least one boy who was trained when his Mom let him go off the side of the deck.

The summer that your child is closest to two, take two days and don’t leave the house.

Let your child run around nakeybums, or with a big tee shirt on so there’s no clothing to mess with. Every 20 minutes or so, place the child matter-of-factly on the pot.

DO NOT ASK questions like “Do you need to go potty sweetie pie!?” Just do it like it’s the thing to do, and don’t ask permission. Don’t force it, and if he/she wants to get up right away, let him or her. If you have a resistant child, set a timer to go off every 10 minutes. It’s amazing what a child will do when the power dynamic is taken away. When the “potty timer” goes off, it’s time to sit on the pot!

Use praise but don’t go overboard.

Act like this is the expected thing. Be cool. Say “You put peepee in the potty, just like Mommy and Daddy (and big brother, and your older play group friend…3rd parties are gold here!!) do.

Don’t make a big deal out of what’s happening.

Don’t spend hours reading potty training books or videos to the child. Again, be cool. If you make it into a big deal, your child might resist. It’s better to be un- emotional and matter of fact.

Have some “big boy shorts” or “big girl panties” that you know your child will like, perhaps that you have picked out together, ready for the end of the two days. Your child will be less likely to have accidents if s/he is going to mess up their new undies.

When the inevitible accidents happen, don’t scold. Be patient and gracious. This is part of the job. Remember that even if you decide to spring for carpet cleaning, you will still come out ahead if you don’t have to buy diapers for another year or two!