When I started thinking of potty training my toddler, I admit it felt like a herculean task. The thought of moving from the comfort of diapers was a challenge but a milestone I knew I had to accomplish. That’s when I contacted Dr Sharma, a family friend and my baby’s paediatrician. He taught me to look for readiness signs and use positive reinforcement to potty train him. 

It took a lot of patience, but looking back, it was a good bonding experience. So, I decided to share those tips and tricks that worked for us. Maybe they can help you too, make your potty training journey easier.

There were signs my toddler was ready to be potty trained, but I could not understand at first. Since every child is different, yours may show some or all of these signs of readiness: 

• Dirty diaper: Do the dirty diaper test, where you don't change a soiled diaper. If they ask to be changed, it’s a sign they are ready to let go of their diaper dependency.
• Bathroom following: It is natural for toddlers to follow their parents to the bathroom out of curiosity. But does your child want to follow everyone? Watch out for cues and enthusiasm in the bathroom. It could be a sign they are ready to use the pot with a baby seat.
• Dress and undress: If your toddler has accomplished pulling down their pants, take it as a positive sign.
• Dry diaper: If your toddler has a dry diaper for more than two hours, like after a nap, you can try to potty train them. 

As a toddler mom, one tip I learned was never to force your child to potty. An activity as natural as potty should be a positive experience and ultimately result in independent toileting. These physical and emotional readiness cues can help you decide: 

Physical Readiness Cues:

• Stays dry for 2+ hours or after naps
• Pulls at or dislikes dirty diapers
• Can sit, stand, and walk steadily
• Understands and follows directions

Emotional Readiness Cues:

• Shows interest in using the toilet
• Follow simple instructions, like "go pee-pee/poo-poo"
• Wants independence or shows pride in accomplishments
• Can verbally or nonverbally communicate their needs

As a first-time mother, I was clueless about how to begin potty training. With help from family and our doctor, I learned that a little preparation goes a long way. Especially because messes are inevitable, it is easy to get frustrated after a few failed attempts. So here is what I did to make my life easier: 

• Gathered all the essentials and kept them easily accessible.
• Set a routine, like going to the toilet right after a nap or meal, when my toddler was relaxed.
• I turned preparation into a fun activity that involved my toddler.
• Celebrated small wins with patience and flexibility. 

Essential Potty Training Gear

No one tells you how overwhelming potty training can be if you are unprepared. Luckily for me, Dr Sharma shared a list of essentials to make the process smoother for us. Invest in a good-quality potty chair or a toddler-sized seat that fits well on your toilet. I bought both because I used the potty chair in my room at night and the seat during the day. 

Training pants are another great way to tackle accidents, which will happen inevitably. I also used a diaper caddy bag to keep wipes, an extra pair of clothes, cream, and a towel within reach. For the bathroom, you may need a step-up stool to help them reach the sink for handwashing. 

After every successful elimination, I used a treat as encouragement. They were homemade wheat cookies that were as nutritional as healthy.

Setting Up a Potty-Friendly Environment 

In my experience, creating a potty-friendly environment reduced accidents and made our routine stress-free. Here is what I did: 

• Place the potty-training gear, seat, and chair in an accessible spot
• During the potty, I sat with him calmly and reduced distractions
• Included easy-to-pull-down pants in his everyday wear
• Kept a storybook nearby to make the experience fun
   

If there is one thing my toddler loves, it is his routine. He thrives on predictability, and that’s what helped me potty-train him. I used a simple, easy-to-follow technique that can work even on busy days: 

• Potty time: I encouraged potty breaks at set intervals, like after waking up, meals, and naps.
• Reminders: I never pressurised him but reminded him whether he wanted to do potty between active play.
• Consistency: I was consistent with my timings and reminders, even if he used the chair to urinate instead of potty.
• Rewards: I rewarded him with sweets and extra playtime for using the potty. 

Creating a Consistent Schedule

The minute I heard I had to set a schedule, I was overwhelmed with anxiety. How was I to manage a toddler’s potty schedule with my work? But in retrospect, it was game-changing advice my doctor gave. Children are very flexible, unlike us adults. 

I tried to be present during moments, like after he woke up from a nap and during meal times. To make things smoother, I hired help, but you can also choose to involve your partner or another family member who will stick to the routine. I used the remind feature on my phone to keep me on track initially. Gradually, the schedule became a part of our lives, and my baby was confident enough to use his potty chair independently. 

Using Positive Reinforcement and Rewards

In my experience, turning potty training into a fun and rewarding process made it much smoother for us. Here’s what I did: 

• Praised him when he used the potty
• Offer small treats to keep him motivated
• Focused on his effort to boost confidence
• No punishments for accidents
   

Accidents and setbacks are a part of potty training. When I began potty training, I realised that celebrating the wins was more important than stressing over messes. These tips helped me stay consistent: 

• Stay calm: Children can sense frustration, which discourages them from trying again. I kept my tone gentle when there were accidents.
• Normalise mess: It’s all part of the learning process.
• Involve your child: If there has been a mess, ask them to bring you the wipes. Sharing responsibility will make them feel less guilty.
• Reassess: If you see too many accidents, maybe your child is not ready. It’s okay to try again later.

Handling Accidents with Patience and Understanding

I knew accidents were normal, but my toddler did not. So, when I handled the situation patiently instead of shouting at him, he was more willing to try again. Staying calm during potty training is difficult, but creating a positive environment will make your little one feel supported. 

And if you do get overwhelmed sometimes, take a break. Pause for a minute, step out, and come back smiling because a little encouragement can go a long way in building confidence. 
 

This was a big challenge for me because I am a deep sleeper. Nighttime potty training took longer for me than daytime training. In my experience, here is what worked for us: 

• I limited his liquid intake before bedtime.
• We tried to use the bathroom before sleeping.
• I used a waterproof mattress cover to make cleanups easy.
• Kept a set of clothes and wipes by my bedside. 

Potty training is a marathon that tests your patience, but the result is an independent child who can communicate their natural needs. As someone who has successfully trained her child,  you must understand that every child learns at their own pace. So focus on your child’s readiness, be consistent, and soon, you will celebrate this milestone.