POTTY ... YES BUT HOW?

- Do it step by step

On average, children acquire the concept of hygiene at around 28 months, with regard to daily cleaning, and at 3 years, with regard to night cleaning. Before eighteen months, therefore, it is useless to try. Your child has neither the neuromuscular maturity nor the necessary psychological and emotional maturity.

Understanding what is expected of him, being physically capable of doing it, and having the desire to do so are, in fact, the three stages that lead to learning this concept.

If you think he's ready, but he's not the one who spontaneously proposes to ditch the diapers, push him to potty. In the hours following meals (propitious for the expected "events"), but also when he wants. Don't hesitate to repeat your proposal day after day. Don't be surprised if, at first, you will only find urine at the bottom of the potty. The maturation of the bladder and sphincters is not necessarily concomitant.

- Depending on the sex

From this point of view, girls seem more precocious than boys. The interpretations can be varied. According to some, children are more sensitive to parental orders. For others, there would be a relationship between the pleasure of satisfying the urge to urinate and the pleasure of sexual urges. And therefore, much more than little girls, they would have the feeling of "losing" something when they are on the potty.

Therefore, it is essential that everyone (parents, grandparents, babysitters ...) takes a calm attitude regarding this matter, avoiding any association between feces and dirt. Even if the child plays with the contents of his potty: it often happens at the beginning. If so, patiently explain to him that it is not done.

In any case, avoid the constraints

In this field as in many others, constraints are to be avoided. You would risk turning personal hygiene into a power game between you and your baby.

It's not a competition - just listen to your baby

It doesn't matter if your friend's baby has already ditched diapers, day or night, at just 16 months! The most important thing is to respect your baby's rhythms.

What about the night?

Again, there are no defined rules. There are children who no longer wear diapers at the age of two, and others who manage to get rid of them only at the age of four. If your baby is in the second category, remind him regularly that sleeping without a diaper is a possibility. In the morning, check the diaper: if it is dry for several days in a row, the baby does not need it anymore!

A regression is possible

However, you need to know that there are some factors that can make it regress. Kindergarten, the birth of a little brother or sister ... these are momentary disturbances that will be resolved with love and dialogue.

To read together

All on the potty, by Van Genechten Guido, adapted in rhyme by Marinella Barigazzi, Ape Junior.

CACCAPOOU, Text and illustrations by Stephanie Blake, Babalibri.

Some secrets ...

To do:

- Take advantage of the summer to leave your baby without panties. He will appreciate this feeling of freedom.

- In winter, change his diaper as soon as it is dirty, and let him stay an hour in his underwear.

- The potty is better than the toilet, which can impress him.

- Place the potty next to the toilet and explain to your child that only he or she uses it.

- Stay next to him, sitting on the toilet, the first time you propose to use the potty.

- Choose simple clothes to take off.

And, above all, to avoid: