Potty Training: Ready, Set, Go!

Flummoxed by how to teach your toddler to use the potty? Try these tips on "underwear training" from a top pediatrician

By The LifeMinute Team

September 1, 2016

"The 1,2,3's of potty training are that, first, kids need to be able to sense when they need to go, they need to get to the bathroom on their own, and they need to be able to get up on the potty themselves," says Dr. Tanya Altmann, pediatrician and mom of three boys. "I actually like to call it underwear training." To help get your kids excited about underwear training, build a reward system like a little stamp or sticker when they go, and always praise them even when there's an accident. Never scold them, simply say "uh oh, next time we can get it in the potty."

Easy Underwear Training

So how do you know when your toddler is ready? "It's usually around age two or three. They won't tell you that they want to use the potty, but they'll often start showing you. You might see them hide under the table or behind the couch so they have a little privacy. My toddler came up to me the other day and said, 'mommy, off, off off!,' which meant he had a dirty diaper and wanted me to change it." They might also be interested in going to the bathroom with you, watching you go potty. And saying, "bye bye!" as you flush. Altmann suggests another fun tactic: Telling the kids there is a party under the house and that's where poops go!

Kids also might also get excited to wear big boy and big girl underwear. And that's often when I like to transition them into training pants. Or training underwear, or Pampers Easy Ups as we call it.

"They have the look and feel of real underwear, they're easy for toddlers to pull up and down, they have a 360 degree stretchy waistband, they're super soft and I love the amazing leak protection. They also tear easily at the sides in case you need to take them off right away," says the pediatrician.

A final tip: Put the pants in your child's lower dresser drawer so they can pull them out themselves and can get used to pulling them up and down, which is what they need to be able to do when the go to the bathroom by themselves.

Look for a two-dollar-off coupon at coupons.com.

Go to pampers.com to learn more about potty training tips and tricks and join the rewards program.