When we give birth to a tiny version of ourselves, we also take responsibility for teaching them everything they need to know before going to school and starting their formal education. That includes everything from good habits, respect and compassion towards other living beings, good food habits, and even potty training.
Potty training is probably one of those experiences that, for a few parents, is like a piece of cake. While for a few others, it might be nothing less than a nightmare. How you experience potty training with your child depends on two things mainly:
- How prepared your child is for being potty trained &
- How prepared are you to potty train in one go without giving up.
The first thing you need to determine is whether or not your baby is ready to be potty-trained before you invest in potty training pants or a potty seat etc., for your child. It can be frustrating for the child and the parent to force the process on them if they are not ready. But, if they are ready, all you need are a few potty training pants, a lot of patience, and you are ready to start! But how would you know if your baby is ready for the journey or not?
Some parents who believe in elimination communication start as early as a few months old. Please remember that complete potty training means that your child can identify the biological cues and the urge to pee or poop, take the potty training pants off, pull them up independently, and wash their hands after the process. Thus, although elimination communication is a beautiful method of avoiding mess, it is a hit and miss method. First, your child must be ready to start potty training – physically, behaviourally, and cognitively. Here are some signs and symptoms that will help you determine your child’s readiness for potty training!
Is Your Child Ready To Be Potty Trained?
- Your baby can understand simple commands and instructions such as “Go, get that toy for me” or “Come here, sit with me.”
- Your baby is able to sit, walk, and even run independently and steadily.
- Your baby pees an adequate amount in one pee session and empties the bladder in one go. This is something you will have to judge by looking at their wet diapers or potty training pants.
- Your baby has a predictable bowel movement. Unlike adults, babies will not necessarily poop in the morning, but they would have a specific time or meal after which they would poop approximately at the same time daily.
- While taking a nap, your baby goes up to two hours without peeing in sleep.
- Can sit at one place, essentially on the pot, for 2 – 4 minutes without getting up or feeling anxious.
- They can pull the potty training pants up and down on their own.
- They can communicate bodily needs and responses in words or gestures, such as if something hurts if they are hungry, thirsty, etc.
- Your baby gets motivated when praised.
- They know the right words for peeing and pooping. Having cute inside words is OK, but knowing the appropriate popular words is essential if they want to use the washroom in your absence.
So, if your baby checks all or at least most of the readiness boxes, it is time to get in action and start potty training them. So, coming to this article’s main topic, how to potty train your baby in three days. The question here is, “Is that possible?” Yes, that is possible. But you will need to dedicatedly work towards achieving this goal all these three days and leave everything else aside.
Potty Train In Just 3 Days!
- Unless your baby checks all or at least most of the boxes mentioned in the potty training readiness section, you might not be able to potty train your baby in three days.
- First things first, delegate all other work to someone in the family or domestic help, as you will need to be on your toes these three days if you want to successfully potty train your child in three days.
- Get a colourful and cute potty seat that fits on your regular commode for your baby. Keep a stash of potty training pants ready. Involving them in the decision of design and colour and make them feel in charge of their potty training process
- Take your baby off diapers entirely and make them wear regular clothes with padded underwear or potty training pants.
- Take them to sit on the pot and encourage them to pee in the potty seat before their nap time.
- Take them to the washroom every 2 hours at least. Keep asking them if they want to pee or poop and use the bathroom from time to time.
- Every time any grown-up member of the family uses the washroom, tell your child that grown-ups always go to the bathroom if they need to pee or poop and that now they are a grown-up too.
- During their usual time of pooping, take them to the washroom and make them sit on the pot. Be there to read a book or keep them busy if needed and encourage them to poop inside the potty seat.
- Every time they successfully pee or poop in the pot, appreciate them, encourage them and make it feel like the immense achievement that it is.
- Ensure that your baby does not drink water at least 2 hours before bedtime and empties the bladder properly before bedtime.
- Do not lose patience with accidental pee or poop in the potty training pants. Your baby needs your encouragement, support and patience to master this art. Moreover, potty training pants are designed to hold up to one pee or poop without creating a pee pool or mess.
Potty training would be as fun or stressful as you make it for yourself and your baby. So, keep calm, and enjoy the three days with your baby. Remember that encouragement, appreciation, and patience are key to successful potty training.
