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Having Fun In The Summer At The Beach
Summer is just around the corner, and with the warmer weather comes trips to the beach. Here are a few tips to help you enjoy your time at the beach more thouroughly:
1. Keep Your Skin Safe
It’s a hard balance – we go to the beach to enjoy the warmth of the sun and get away from the daily grind of homelife rules and routines. Yet if you don’t keep on your kids about sunscreen and covering up, you are asking for trouble. No one enjoys themselves when they are as red as a lobster!
I’m not going to lie – kids in general don’t like to have to have lotion put on at the beach. They’d rather be building sandcastles or rolling in the waves. But you owe it to them to keep them protected. The US EPA has a calculator to help you know the UV forecast for your area. Once you enter your zipcode, it will give you the recommended sunscreen protection needed for the day.
Tip:
During the peak sun of the day, rely on a long sleeved sun-shirt to provide extra protection. It won’t wash off in water, and your child will remain shielded from the harmful UV rays.
2. Organize Your Stuff
I used to find myself getting stressed out about an upcoming beach trip. There were so many things to keep track of – towels, chairs, toys, diaper bag, snacks – UGH! Put keeping an eye on the children from the parking lot to the beach, and there’s a lot of pressure.
I’ve now come to appreciate the simplicity of beach wagons. They help you to get all of your stuff from point A to the beach. You can pack all your supplies and kids into the wagon, and drag it down to the sand. Foldable ones are nice for storage. The best beach wagons for when you have kids are talked about in this article – it helped me make a choice. Hopefully you’ll find it helpful as well.
3. Go Over Water Safety
Kids need to be told the do’s and don’ts about beach safety. In general, you want to make sure that:
- Always practice the buddy system – no child goes in the water alone. There should be an older child or adult close by at all times to make sure they can get help if needed.
- Follow the “Knee or Lower” rule of thumb. Toddlers and smaller children should only go into water that reaches their knees. If it’s higher, it’s too easy to have a big wave come along and knock them off their feet. There’s still plenty of fun to be had splashing around or playing with toys in a foot or so of the ocean.
- Toys can be replaced – Especially with smaller children, there’s the desire to chase after water toys that are floating out to sea. Your child doesn’t want to upset you, and normally losing a toy isn’t an activity we reward. Make sure they know it’s ok if something does happen to get picked up by the tide – that they can come to you to help rescue the toy. No bit of plastic is worth as much as your child’s safety.
These are only a few quick tips. If you’d like more ideas, here are some resources I found:
- The Red Cross has a great guide to beach safety.
- The United States Lifesaving association has a Top Ten list for you to keep in mind.
- FractusLearning has a guide to summer beach safety.
- Aloha Beach and Surf Camp has a handy pdf you can print out.
- Here’s some ideas for keeping your “other” children safe at the beach as well.
I hope these ideas are helpful. If you have any additional tips or trips, please leave them in the comments below!
Guide To Buying The Best Diaper Pail
The Best Diaper Pail Shopping Guide For Busy Parents
It's finally nap time and you sit on the couch to relax. You notice the pile of diapers in the corner that you were just too tired to take outside to the trash, and you decide it's maybe time get a diaper pail. But how do you pick the best diaper pail when there are so many options out there?
It's exhausting to think about, especially since you've already washed marker off of the living room walls for the third time today, unclogged the toilet after your toddler managed to flush the entire roll of toilet paper down, and cleaned up all of the pots and pans which were thrown around the kitchen. It's been a busy day and it's only 1:00 in the afternoon. Who wants to think about diaper pails when you should really be taking a nap?!
Never fear, we're here for you. Below you will find some helpful information which will hopefully assist you in your quest to find the best diaper pail for your toddler.
Why Buy A Diaper Pail Anyway?
In short, they keep your house from smelling like used diapers!
If you don't know, a diaper pail is basically a receptacle that is specifically designed to collect soiled diapers until they are able to be taken care of. Some diaper pails are for cloth diapers only, while others can be used for either cloth or disposable diapers. Depending on the size of the pail and how many diapers your toddler goes through, these bins can sometimes collect up to a week's worth of diapers or more! Diaper pails were created as a convenience for parents of young children, and many say that a diaper pail is a must-have in their homes.
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Advantages and Disadvantages Of Using A Diaper Pail
As mentioned before, many parents would highly recommend using a diaper pail. However, there are others who believe a diaper pail is just a more expensive garbage can and would rather use a trash bin with a lid. There is no right or wrong method of collecting dirty diapers, and a regular garbage can would work just fine. However, there are some great benefits and advantages to using a diaper pail over a normal trash bin.
Advantages
- Built to hold soiled diapers, so they contain the smell very well. If you purchase a quality made pail, you shouldn't smell the used diapers at all once they are packed away.
- Only needs to be emptied when it gets full, which means less trips out to the dumpster or the laundry room (if you live in an apartment) or trash can (if in a home). Either way, you only have to make a trip once in awhile instead of every time your child soils a diaper.
- Can be stored in any room of the house. I keep mine in the child's bedroom next to the changing stand, but that's only for convenience's sake. If you are living in tight quarters, you can store it anywhere.
- You can get washable liners - really this is only sensible if you are using cloth diapers, though I have heard of people using them with disposables. Not me, sister! The little free time I have is more valuable than that. But to each their own.
Disadvantages
- Cost. The pail does cost some money upfront versus using a trashcan you have lying around. You can get a quality one for a good price, so I wouldn't let price stop you.
- You need to plan a little ahead to make sure you have an extra liner at hand at all times. If you forget, the pail is now useless - the liner is really the stink-barrier.
What Qualities Should I look For In A Diaper Pail?
Okay, you are now sold on the need in your life for a diaper pail. Congrats! I'll give you the information you need to make a great selection. Keep in mind, there really is no "perfect" pail, so please don't spend hours researching this purchase. If a product ticks off these features, you are good to go:
- Odor-battling Technology
- Ease-of-use - What Features Does It Have
- Pail Capacity vs. How Many Diaper Age Children You Have
- Diaper Pail Lock-in - Can You BYOL (Bring Your Own Liner)
It may seem like there is a lot to think about, but most of this is common sense.
PRIMARY QUALITY - ODOR FIGHTING CAPABILITY
When you boil it right down, you are looking for the best diaper pail you can find for one reason:
You want to keep poop-filled diapers in your house as long as possible without anyone being able to smell them.
So it makes sense that the pail does this job adequately, right?
Luckily, "Big Diaper Pail" industry isn't dumb either, and they know that odor control is entry stakes to get into this business. I won't bore you with the jargon, but in general if the diaper liner isn't torn or ripped, most pails will keep the smell in - and out of your house.
You will want to make sure the diaper pail has some form of odor control. This comes into play when you have a tear in the liner, or you go just a little too long without making a run to the trash. Whether it uses a scented liner, an air filter, or you manually add odor-fighting materials, make sure it's a method that you can live with.
I personally have used scented liners over the years. They tend to work fine, though I would be a properly-maintained carbon air-filter would do the job better. The only time I have noticed any smell was when the pail was full - which meant it was time to hit the garbage run anyway.
FEATURE SET - HOW EASY IS IT TO USE
You are likely to be surprised when you start shopping for a pail at just how many different features there are available. Here's my recommendations for MUST-HAVE features:
1. Foot-Pedal. The foot pedal is essential. It allows you to operate the pail without hands - and considering you don't want to leave your child on the changing table by his or herself, you'll have a baby in one hand and a diaper in the other most of the time you are using it.
Trust me - you want a foot pedal.
2. Childproof lock. This might not seem very important, and at the beginning you will have no need for it. But as your infant grows into a toddler, you'll be happy you picked a pail with this feature.
Kids are curious. Imagine how enticing the diaper pail looks when they see you using it numerous times a day, and the diaper magically disappears into the plastic hole.
They will want a piece of that action.
The childproof locks are your defense from army men or dolls ending up inside, ripping the bag and leading to a smell-saster.
There are other features, mainly the height, what material it's made of or the color. While these are important, it will depend on your personal tastes. I'm a little taller, so I like a taller pail so I can use it without bending down as much.
HOW MANY DIAPERS CAN THIS HOLD (OR THE EVER SHRINKING DIAPER PAIL)
I am going to go against some advice I've seen and tell you - get the largest capacity diaper pail you can. It's probably not for the reason you think though.
When you first bring your little bundle of joy home from the hospital, their used diapers will squish down to the size of an apple. At this point, you'll never even notice capacity issues because it will take a while to fill the bad-boy to the brim. So whether it holds 30 or 60 newborn diapers, you won't really care.
But your baby will get older. And Size 5 diapers are more like a mushy-softball in size.
At this point, you'll notice the capacity issue. If you get one with too little holding area, you and your significant other will be fighting over who has to empty the pail again.
And deep inside, a voice will say "Mary told me - why didn't I listen!?!"
Keep that voice at bay. Plan for the future and get a larger capacity diaper pail.
This capacity issue will really hit home if you end up having more than one child in diapers at a time. You might not think that is in your future, but if it's even a possibility GET A LARGE CAPACITY DIAPER DISPOSER!
AVOID LINER LOCK-IN
The manufacturers of most diaper pails learned a great deal from Gillette. They rely on the razor/razor-blade model of selling a relatively-inexpensive razor/pail, and then making most of the profit off of the razor blade/liner.
In the long run, you'll spend multiple times of money on the liners than the pail itself. So before you hit buy on your favorite pail, check out how much the liners cost. See if you can use other brands of liners in the pail.
Some companies allow you to use any bag you have lying around in their system. I don't recommend this because of the smell issue, but it does give you an idea that the company isn't trying to lock you in.
There are legitimate reasons for a company wanting you to use thier bags. If you use poorly made ones, the bags might not hold the smell as well. Then the manufacturer will get blamed for a poorly-made pail. So it's not just about squeezing out more money.
Tip - buy your liners in bulk and you can usually save some money. It's not always the case though, so check the price. Amazon has a subscribe and save program that can be helpful here as well.
Diapers are just one of those things that inevitably come with a toddler. So, if you are looking for a solution for those piles of stinky diapers that your toddler produces, a diaper pail may be a great purchase for you. They will give those diapers a place to go, all while leaving your home smelling better and lessening your trips to the laundry room or dumpster out back. Using the information above, you should be able to find a diaper pail that suits all of your needs at the price that is right for you. The good news in all of this is that one day your toddler WILL grow out of the diaper phase, despite how far away that day may seem at the time. Until then, a diaper pail very well could help you enjoy those moments with your toddler a little more. The next time you are scrubbing permanent marker off of the wall, take a second to notice the absence of that "used diaper" smell. It may just change your life!
7 Everyday Lifehacks To Keep The Fun In Parenting
Since raising a toddler can be overwhelming at times, it’s important to take time to step back and enjoy the experience. It is also essential to build fun into parenting; without it, the harder times can take a toll on your psyche.
It’s also essential for your young child’s development. Without having the happy times to fall back on, parents are less likely to be present during the time they spend with their children. This has been shown to have a negative effect on child emotional development.
Never fear! As a parent myself, I have a few tips and ideas I use to keep the spark in parenting. Most of these make the day-to-day life events of child-rearing more enjoyable. Some of them are to make your life easier - some are just fun to do - some are both. Keeping the mundane special will help keep you in the right frame of mind to truly enjoy the extraordinary moments that come by less frequently.
Some of these I’ve gotten from friends and family; some are from internet friends. If you have any other tips and tricks, please leave them in the comments section.
1. Arm Your Children Vs. Versus Nighttime Monsters
This idea from Kara at the HappyGoLuckyBlog was a big help when our oldest was having trouble falling asleep. When your child is afraid of the monsters in the dark, there's only so much a parent can do, right? I mean, there's no monster spray available you can give your child.
Oh yes there is! Take an old spray bottle, slap some monster stickers on it, write Monster Spray on the side (or get stickers if you are ambitious like Kara) and you have just given your child a tool in the war on nighttime sleep problems. The way we used it was to spray the room - ESPECIALLY under the bed - after the brushing-of-the-teeth and p.j. rituals were completed.
Since I'm not the most crafty of mom's, I'll spare you a picture of my design. Kara's is much nicer. However, my utilitarian spray worked well enough to get my kid (and my husband and I) sleeping through the night again after only two nights.
Image Credit: HappyGoLuckyBlog.com
2. Avoid Popsicle Drip With A Cupcake Dress
If I think back to my childhood, eating a popsicle on a warm summer day is a real good memory. I'm sure there's some people out there that would disagree, but I general I think most of us have positive memories of popsciles.
Our parents...eh...probably not.
Because as a parent, you are the janitor of your home. While popsicles are fun, they can also be messy as they drip all over your youngsters hand. Once the mess hits the hand, it's going everywhere else, which can ruin what should be the joy of watching your child enjoy the summer day.
That's why I love this fun parenting idea so much. It's simple and effective. My mom told me about this, but I think it's been around for awhile. I found this picture on Pinterest. You simply take a cupcake wrapper and poke a hole through the middle with the popsicle stick. When your kid is done eating, throw the whole thing out.
Credit: Pinterest
It won't help with the inevitable dropped frozen treat, but hey - that's part of the fun of childhood too. Go get them another one - they won't be young forever!
3. Say Goodbye To Painful Eyes At Bathtime With A Baby Shower Cap
When I first heard of this idea, all I could think of was "who in their right mind would try strapping a shower cap onto a baby?" And if it were a normal, older adult cap, that would be insane.
But it's not.
Also good for summer sprinkler fun.
As you can see in the picture, these caps are more like sunvisors that form a water-tight seal to keep water and soap out of your precious toddler's eyes. They are inexpensive and can spare your child the pain of soapy eye syndrome. If you've ever gotten soap in your child's eye, you know that their pain is your pain as well.
You can find these shower caps at Amazon or other retail stores. I think it's worth it to give up coffee for a day or two to make sure bath time is the bonding experience it should be, rather than something both you and your child dread.
4. Avoid A Crisis: Keep Children For Locking Themselves In Their Bedroom With A Rubber Band
If you have locks on your bathroom or children's bedroom door, there will be a day where your toddler starts playing with it. Eventually, he or she will accidentally lock themselves in. Depending on the type of door handles you have, this will lead to a minor inconvenience all the way up to full-blown crisis.
There is a readily available solution. The first time I saw this, I felt like Homer Simpson. DOAH!
It's really simple - how hadn't I thought of this before. One simply puts each end of a rubber band around the door handle, and twists them a bit to add more tension over the door latch. Kudos to my friend Nate for letting me know about it. You'll need to try different size rubber bands to get the right fit for your particular door. Our new house had pretty strong door springs so we needed to add tape under the rubber band to give it a little more oomph. You can see it in the following picture.
5. Make the Tooth Fairy Even More Magical Than It Already Is
The Tooth Fairy is one of the blessings of childhood. I mean, all you need to do is breathe, grow enough to kick out a tooth, and the money comes rolling on in
This next hack will make turn the whole experience "up to 11" in Spinal Tap style:
(See Mike, I could work in a Spinal Tap reference. Buurrrrn!) Anywhooo...
You'll need some glue, some glitter, or some glitter glue. My guess is supplies won't be a problem if you have a daughter.
Take a dollar bill (or a five - I'm not judging), and make a tooth pattern on the currency with the glue. Sprinkle the glitter over the top, let draw, shake off . Voila, depending on your artistic skills you'll end up with something like the following picture:
Additionally, your kids will also think the tooth fairy is even awesomer.
6. Defeat Funky Kid-Shoe-Smell Once And For All
As your child begins to walk and eventually haul around outside with shoes, you'll discover an unpleasant fact:
Kids shoes can really stink.
Most kids shoes don't breathe very well, and kids love to play outdoors. when they shoes get wet, your lil' bundle of joy starts churning out more foot bacteria which thrives on that moist environment. That generally leave you with two problems - wet shoes, and stinky shoes.
This next bit of advice takes care of both issues. Take a kid sock, fill it up 3/4 with rice (uncooked), 1/8 with salt, and 1/8 with baking soda. Don't worry how precise you are with the amounts. The rice and salt help with moisture, and the baking soda helps with the smell.
By the way, this works just as well with your own athletic footwear.
7. Ketchup & Mustard UNDER The Hotdog (Also Read This Book)
Simple, easy, no mess - if you put the condiment UNDER the hotdog on the bun, you've lowered your Ketchup-To-Pants disaster chance by over 50%. (It's science, dangit).
I got this one out of a book given to me by a good friend. And now, I'm ordering you to read it.
"Honey," you are thinking,"when do I have time to read a book?"
I hear ya. But this book will save you time and aggravation. If you've read this far, you will absolutely love the time saving/anger-reducing tips Asha has shared. Available on Kindle or paperback, it's really a great value.
I hope you thought these were helpful. Please leave any other tips and tricks you can think of in the comments. I can't wait to hear about them!
The Best Potty Training Seat For Your Toddler
The time has finally come - you think. Your child is showing signs of tiring of diapers. While that is awesome, that's means it is time to find the best potty training seat for your son or daughter.
Before we take a look at some great choices in training chairs and seat, their is the question of whether your child is ready or not to make the leap out of diapers. Most kids between the ages of 22 to 30 months are ready to be initiated, but it also depends upon the individual child. The gender of the child is also a factor as boys tend to require a longer period of time compared to girls. You should start potty training when your toddler starts showing signs of readiness. These signs may include:
- Interest in using toilet seat by copying other members of the family
- Stopping all activities for a period of time when feeling an urge
- Clutching the diaper or showing signs of distress due to a soiled or wet diaper
While opting for potty training, you need to select the best type of seat for your kid. Usually there are two types of potty training seats: standalone potty seats with removable bowls or small sized seats which can be fixed on the existing toilet. In this article we will go through some of the highly reviewed potty seats to help you toilet train your little one.
Munchkin Secure Comfort Potty Seat
This removable potty seat can be fitted on the existing toilet seat. Attaching this potty seat securely for your toddler is very easy, as you just have to place it on the toilet seat and it sets in place. It's really convenient - setup takes no time at all,
Since this toilet training seat comes fitted with a snap-in baking soda deodorizing disc there's an added layer of protection from stinky odors.. You can easily clean this potty seat as there is no collecting bowl in this model. This makes cleanup easy - any little accients are just washed off the seat, and the waste goes straight into the toilet. You just flush.
This model is appropriate for standard toilet seats and is designed to accommodate both genders. The contours of this seat are designed to effectively hold the child in place while on the seat. Easy grip handles are provided for stability and non-slip edges keep the seat from moving while in use. You can find this seat at Amazon or your local big box retailer.
Pros:
- Available in assorted colors
- Manufactured using high grade polypropylene
- Snap in deodorizing disc lasts for ninety days
- User friendly design
- Built in deflector, backrest and feet for easy storage
Cons:
- Not fully compatible with elongated seats
The Munchkin Secure Comfort Potty Seat is quite appropriate for toddlers of either gender. The front piece is specially designed for boys so urine goes into the toilet seat rather than all over the floor.
Summer Infant Lil' Loo Potty
This unisex, standalone potty seat is a great choice for potty training your child. This seat is designed to fit in with the existing décor of your bathroom. The removable bowl fitted in the potty is removable and quick and easy to clean. The high back of this potty trainer is designed to provide extra comfort for the lower back and to your child stable while using it. Summer Infant Lil' Loo Potty, White and Teal measures 14.5 x 14 x 12 inches and is suitable for children weighing up to 33 Lbs. This potty training set is currently available for under $20.
Pros:
- Easy to clean removable pot
- High back design for extra comfort and stability
- Splash guard at the front for boys to avoid accidental urine spray
- Manufactured in United States of America
- Available in different colors
Cons:
- Cannot be used with pre-existing standard toilet seats
The Summer Infant Lil' Loo Potty is comparatively higher and wider at the seat as compared to other models of the same category, which makes it quite perfect for the bigger toddlers who weigh up to 33 lbs.
The First Years Soft Grip Trainer Seat
This trainer seat is designed for ease of potty training and can be used with your existing round or elongated standard toilet seat. You do not have to snap this seat on your toilet seat as it comes with small parts that prevent it from sliding if your child is a squirmer. The built-in pee-guard safeguards your surroundings from accidental sprays. The widely spaced handles and small hole of this seat allows even the small sized children to use this toilet seat without any danger of slipping in. The First Years Soft Grip Trainer Seat is currently available in a multitude of colors or even Disney character themes.
Pros:
- Available in multiple colors
- One piece trainer seat compatible with all types of standard toilet seats
- Pee-Shield for avoiding accidental mess
- Easy to install and clean
Cons:
- Not spray proof
- Ridges in splash guard are a bit difficult to clean. You really need to put some effort in to get out the inevitable accident.
It is quite easy to keep things simple with the Soft Grip Trainer Seat as it is designed for an easy potty training experience for your child with the required comfort and security.
Fisher-Price Potty Training, Learn-to-Flush
This certified frustration-free standalone potty trainer can be used as either a fixed bowl potty seat or as a potty trainer on your existing toilet seat. This Fisher-Price product is designed to be more deluxe as compared to their other existing potty training models. The standalone feature of this potty trainer is the flushing action. This action includes lighting up of the water tank and is accompanied with a water flushing sound and a cheery yay to reward success and build confidence. The removable potty ring can be used separately on the existing toilet seat, which helps children move from trainer potty set to the real one. Fisher-Price Potty Training, Learn-to-Flush is a little more expensive than the stand-alone seat cover, but you do get more value for the dollar.
Pros:
- Combines toilet training with fun rewards, thus providing encouragement and rewards success
- Easy to use
- Pretend water twirls to provide realistic touch
- Removable potty ring to be used on standard toilet seats
Cons:
- Potty trainer must be completely dry or else it will keep singing, which can be disturbing. This is especially true when it fires off randomly in the middle of the night.
This potty trainer is quite a good purchase as it can be used to gradually move your kid from standalone potty trainer to the standard one. The water twirl incorporated in this design allows familiarizes toddlers with the flushing operation present in the actual ones.
Conclusion
If we compare all the models of standalone and small sized potty training seats, then Fisher-Price Potty Training, Learn-to-Flush is the best potty training product out there as it can be used as a standalone potty seat as well as a small seat potty trainer for your standard toilet seat.
The second place for a perfect potty trainer goes to Summer Infant Lil' Loo Potty because of the quality of material used in its production and its great price for the value.
If we compare the two small sized potty training seats mentioned above, then the Munchkin Secure Comfort Potty Seat is quite a bargain and an appropriate choice because of its unique feature of snap-in deodorizer.
2 
Best Cloth Training Pants
Potty training pants are an essential part of the gear required for potty training toddlers. This product is required when kids transition from diapers to underpants at around the age of eighteen months to three and half years as they start showing control of bladder and bowel movements.
A majority of parents opt for cloth training pants as opposed to paper diapers and plastic training pants as the former are friendly to the skin and can be reused after a spin in the washing machine.
These pants are quite easy to use and can save a lot of money while keeping the skin of your toddler dry and comfortable. Compared to absorbent diapers, cloth training pants allow the toddler to feel the wetness which is an essential part of the potty training process.
The best cloth training pants come with a soft elastic waistband which allows toddlers to easily pull the pants up and down, thus making potty trips several times in a day much easier.
In this article we will go through some of the best cloth training pants to help you find the best fit for your little one.
Gerber Training Pants (6-pairs)
Gerber has been a trusted name in baby care for nearly 100 years. In general, I often use Gerber products as the benchmark against which I judge other brands. It hasn't burned me personally yet.
These trainer pants are designed to provide basic potty training for toddlers. The center panel comes with a built-in layer of combed cotton and an absorbent layer of blended cotton, which contains fifty percent polyester. These pants have the capacity to absorb small accidental leaks and are inexpensive enough that you can buy several. The soft elastic waistband allows easy removal and provides increased comfort around the waist.
These pants are quite durable and you can use them multiple times as they are machine washable and can be tumble dried to make them ready for reuse. Gerber Training Pants (6-pairs) are available in three different sizes and colors including white and blue for boys and pink for girls. This package of six pairs of trainer pants which should get you from one wash cycle to another.
Pros:
- Manufactured using combed cotton fabric on the internal shell and a blended cotton layer between panels for maximum absorption
- Inexpensive and reusable; machine wash and tumble dry
- Covered elastic waistband does not pinch skin
- Easy to pull up and down.
Cons:
- Too thin to control major leaks
- Not easily available at retail stores.
Gerber Training Pants (6-pairs) are designed for toddlers who are ready to transition from disposable diapers to cloth training pants. Gerber is a recognized brand for potty training of toddlers.
Best Bottom Potty Training Kit
This training pant is designed to imitate real underwear and comes with snap-in feel wet inserts that absorb urine and provide the required wet feeling so that toddlers can identify the need to change their underpants. The inserts are quite attractive with different cartoon characters printed on them. The outer part is made of soft and stretchable cotton while the inner waterproof zone is designed for accommodating wet inserts.
You can opt for as many inserts as you like; generally 6 to 9 inserts are recommended for one kid. If light urine soils the insert but does not reach the pants, then remove the soiled insert, snap a new one on and the pants are ready to be reused. Potty Training Kit, Bubblegum is available in the three different sizes and six colors. Each package includes one pair of pants and three removable inserts.
Pros:
- Designed like real underwear
- Manufactured using high quality cotton fabric for the shell with waterproof inside panel
- Quite easy to change the inserts due to snap-in design
- Soft elastic waistband for easy removal
- Made in the United States of America.
Cons:
- Inserts provided with the pants are not thick enough to last through the night
Best Bottom Potty Training Kit, Bubblegum, Large are designed to look like real underwear, which appeals to toddlers. The removable inserts allow you to use the same pair of pants again and again until it is too soiled to be reused, thus saving time and money.
Luvable Friends Training Pants
Thesefour-pack water resistant training pants are manufactured using 100 percent cotton. All the pants are brightly colored to make potty training more fun-filled for your loved one. These pants come fitted with 100 percent polyester inner lining and a waterproof layer to control accidental leaks.
The comfortable binding around the waistband prevents accidental pinching of the skin and makes it quite easy for kids to use. Seams are built with care- that can be a problem with some brands.
Pros:
- 100 percent cotton for outer shell and 100 percent polyester filling
- Fitted with water resistant lining to avoid accidental leakage
- Soft comfortable binding on elastic used in waistband and leg edges
- Wide variety of color variations for boys and girls
Cons:
- Leg holes may be too tight for some children.
- Not made in the USA.
Luvable Friends 3-Pack Water Resistant Training Pants are soft and adorable, which make them perfect for potty training. The elastic binding on the waistband and leg openings come with a waterproof layering inside the pants to provide extra protection against accidental wetting.
Super Undies Pull-On Training Pants
These pants are quite easy to use. The design of Super Undies is based on the popular cloth pocket diapers. These pants are fitted with micro-fiber to absorb the maximum amount of wetness. An extra pocket which runs from front to the back allows the use of Step-up inserts for extra protection.
Even though these pants are completely waterproof, they still retain some wetness so that your toddler feels the out of the soiled pants. These pants help your kid easily transition from diapers to potty training pants as they are designed just like real underwear.
The extra large size of the pocket of these pants allows for the use of multiple inserts for added absorbency. It is suitable for toddlers with a waist size ranging from 18 to 21 inches and is recommended for children 2 to 5 years. Of course, that will depend on your child's size more than age.
Pros:
- Designed like real underwear
- Extra large pocket for multiple inserts
- Inner fabric made of smooth polyester and Lycra blend
- Microfiber terry cloth for inner absorption
Cons:
- May leak
Super Undies Pull-On Training Pants are designed in such a way that the wet zone is completely waterproof with stretchable side tabs so that your kid can easily put them on and off. Their water proof design and ease of usage makes them perfect for potty training.
Conclusion
All of the cloth training pants reviewed in this article have their own unique features and designs. If you are looking out for a name brand pair of training pants for your kid then the Gerber Training Pants (6-pairs) are the best option because of their competitive price range and the quality of materials used in the manufacturing of the product.
Another good option is Luvable Friends 3-Pack Water Resistant Training Pants as they are usually reasonably priced. If you are looking for potty training pants with inserts, then you should opt for Super Undies Pull-On Training Pants as the extra-large pocket provided in these pants allow you to use multiple inserts for extra absorption.
If you have questions or if you've used any of these products, leave a note in the comments.
The Absolute Best Potty Seat For Your Child
When toddlers reach the age of twenty to thirty months, they may start showing signs that they are ready to start potty training. This means it’s time to look for the best potty seat for your kid so that you can start the potty training process. This exercise will not only provide a sense of achievement for your little one, but it will also benefit you by providing relief from having to frequently change wet diapers.
Before opting for any potty seat, you must find one that is the correct size, comfortable in design and made of strong materials. Instead of opting for a standalone potty seat, you can choose a small sized potty seat that can be used with your existing standard toilet seat. Using this seat is just like using an adult toilet; your kid will feel big like other members of the family, thus creating less fuss and more interest.
Some of the best products in this category are discussed in this article to help you find the best potty seat for your toddler.
OXO Tot Sit Right Potty Seat with Stand Right Base
This potty seat is a perfectly designed as the size of the hole is perfect for the small bottom of a toddler and its nonslip edges keep it stable, even when used on different types of toilet seats. The soft side handles provided with this potty seat help kids to stabilize and position themselves in a comfortable position.
The angle provided in the front of this seat prevents unwanted mess, especially in the case of a male user. The extra side shield provides relief from splattering, while the smooth outer surface makes cleaning of this product quite easy. The flat base of this potty trainer allows convenient storage as you can store it in an upright position anywhere you like.
Pros:
- Unisex design
- Compatible with any type of standard round toilet seat
- Small sized to fit kid’s bottom
- Sturdy
- Easy to clean
- Easy to store
Cons:
- Not compatible with some elongated toilet seats
OXO Tot Sit Right Potty Seat with Stand Right Base is made of smooth one-piece plastic, which makes cleaning easy. The simple design and color of this potty seat blends easily with any bathroom décor, making you happy,
Mickey Mouse Soft Potty Seat With Handles
This potty seat is quite irresistible for kids due to the presence of their favorite cartoon character, Mickey Mouse. In addition to the aesthetic sense related with this potty seat, it is quite easy to use as you just have to place it on the toilet seat.
You can easily clean this potty seat as there is no collecting bowl used in this model. All the waste goes straight into the toilet and you can just flush it afterward. This model is appropriate for standard toilet seats and is designed to accommodate both genders.
The contours of this seat are designed to effectively hold the child in place while on the seat. Easy grip handles are provided for stability and non-slipping edges keep the seat from moving while in use.
Pros:
- Appealing cartoon character design
- Compatible with all standard oval toilet seats
- Soft and gentle for comfort
- Easy to use and clean
Cons:
- Tends to shift around when in use
With the Mickey Mouse cartoon character imprinted on it, this soft potty seat with handles is quite irresistible to kids as well as parents.
BabyBjorn Toilet Trainer
BABYBJORN is a brand name known around the world for quality and style. As much as a potty seat can be stylish, it shows in this product.
This baby toilet seat is designed to be easy to use. The ergonomic design of this seat helps the user maintain comfortable posture as it does not have any sharp edges or ridges. The contoured curve on the backside of the seat helps toddlers get on and off without too much effort. The opening of this seat is sized accurately in order to help the toddler wipe without being too big to allow the child to slip through it.
The adjustable dial makes this seat compatible with all types of toilet seats. The lower side of trainer comes with a soft rubber edge and adjustable wings to secure it properly on the toilet seat. You can easily wash this seat with hot water and the handle provided on the back side allows easy storage.
Pros:
- Quality construction - manufactured using high grade plastic
- Ergonomic design for comfortable and secure sitting
- Easy to install and use
- Inward slopping splashguard to avoid accidental mess
- Easy to store when not in use
Cons:
- Priced high compared to similar products
Toddlers need to feel comfortable using the toilet. The Babybjorn Toilet Trainer is designed to do exactly that. There is a version in White/Red - it's a little harder to find for sale so if it interests you, keep an eye out for it.
PRIMO Folding Potty with Handles
I've included this seat mainly for those of you who need to travel frequently where space is a premium. I want to be clear - this is not a great seat for day-to-day use. Because it folds up it isn't as sturdy as a one-piece seat. That said, it does do a decent job when you are out in public - say at a library, museum, etc.
By using this folding potty, you can ensure the safety of your kid even while using the public toilet as this seat does not allow any direct contact between the toilet seat and your kid’s bottom.
The built-in handles provide the user with an option of secure and comfortable sitting. The rubber pads under the seat fix it securely to the toilet seat and extended overhangs provide the required stability. The four hinges are designed to avoid accidental pinching of the skin. Due to its foldable design, this potty seat is very easy to store when not in use. You can even carry it in your travel bag.
Pros:
- Very compact foldable design for ease of carrying. Folds up to the size of an iPad mini.
- Best of a small group of portable toilet seats.
- Provides security from unwanted infections while using public toilet
- Specially designed hinges to prevent pinching
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Does not fit well with the elongated toilet seats.
- It folds so it's not super sturdy. I'd be concerned with a larger toddler.
As there are not many foldable potty seat models on the market, for now this is the best solution in my opinion. Anyone looking for a portable and easy to carry potty seat for their little one should be happy with this product. Just understand it's not the same as a one-piece seat.
Conclusion
Considering all the features of the potty seats reviewed in this article, the Babybjorn Toilet Trainer, White/Black is the best choice due to its ergonomic design and quality of materials used in its manufacturing. You can use this potty seat for a longer period of time as compared to other cheaper products.
The second option in this category goes to OXO Tot Sit Right Potty Seat with Stand Right Base due to its perfect design and size for a comfortable experience.
If you are planning to travel a lot with your little one, then you should opt for the PRIMO Folding Potty with Handles, White granite as it is compactly designed and you can even carry it in a small diaper bag.
The Best Potty Training Videos (or how to go insane in a weekend)
I'm not going to lie: it was painful.
Sitting through HOURS of toilet training videos is not a fun way to spend a weekend. There's only so many songs about 'The Potty' you can hear before starting to lose your mind. And while there are some training videos that are well-done and get the message across in a fun way, there are some that are just downright disturbing.
Luckily for you, I've taken the time to watch and review whatever potty training videos I could get my hands on. I also had my own toddler chime in whenever they were around and interested enough to comment on the video. Funny aside: near the end of day one, my son asked me with concern in his voice if I was having trouble with the potty.
- Grab a cup of water and get comfy - the toilet training video review is about to begin!
Let me begin by saying this isn't an exhaustive list. I'm sure if you went to the Library of Congress you could find many more DVD's full of animated toilet delight. But I'm a parent - and a pretty busy one at that. And this is a hobby for me, so I went down to the library and checked out whatever videos that were available. I also had a couple around the house that are in our employ, so I added them to the mix. I ended up throwing out the worst videos - no need to waste your time with me making fun of a video. As you'll see, there's something for everyone available. I'd first see if your library has any of these available to see if the video works for your child before buying them - though all of these videos are under $20 as of the time of this review.
Potty Training Videos (In Order Of First To Worst)
The Magic Bowl
The Magic Bowl is one of the most innovative toilet training aids I have come across. It's also really weird. However, every video is weird, so I'm not holding that against this contender. It was created by a doctor as a way to help children through the whole training process.
This video discusses issues not raised in other videos - like constipation, or the difficulty in learning to "aim" for boys. It also conveys empathy in a very strong manner. The characters actually seem to care about you the viewer, and your potty training struggles. It handles accidents and practicing in a very empathetic manner.
Do note: there are no potty chairs in this video, only "big" toilets. This is a plus to some; a negative to others. There are also diapers present, though not too much for my liking (unlike some videos).
There's also a good helping of cause and effect - for example the characters need to leave the zoo when one of the characters wets his last diaper. If your child is higher on the emotionally developed scale, I think they'd get into this video.
That said, it's visually strange. The production quality is well done. On one level it reminded me of a G-Rated "South Park" Episode. Songs like "Poopy Drop" and a touching moment where the anthropomorphic toilet smiles after being shot in the eye with Sammy Jo's urine stood out enough to make me take notice, but you'll find your own gems inside. The music is catchy - great for your kids. Not so much for you when you are humming and reliving this mild fever dream in your head.
Potty Power For Boys & Girls
Potty Power For Boys And Girls is more of a "traditional" potty training video. I got this one from a friend that swears by it, having had great success using it with their toddler. The child actors all seem to be in the 3-4 year old range, which I think is a good thing because younger children can identify with them yet still look up to their older counterparts.
This "big kid" theme plays out often in the video. The "baby" vs "big kid" difference is illustrated many times - crib versus bed, spoon fed versus eating ice cream on their own are two examples. Toilet paper is introduced in this manner - babies get wet wipes while big kids use toilet paper. (I guess this might be a problem is you use a bidet, but then again you are probably used to having the world stacked against you already if you fall into this camp.) Potty chairs are discussed in this production as just one of the many different sizes toilets can come in.
Music and songs are a staple of Potty Power as well. Some seemed to be more aimed at girls than boys, but there are plenty gender-neutral as well. The songs are simple and catchy (hooray!), which is good from a training perspective.
I didn't like the video production quality. Having been produced in the mid 2000's I can cut them a little slack, but it made my eyes bleed a bit on an HD screen. The lead adult actress is a bit perky for my taste; I could imagine it would grate on me after multiple re-watchings.
Pocket Snails: Potty Adventure.
You love snails? You do? How about English accents? Well, have I got a video for you!
This DVD caught be off guard - I actually liked it. Sure, it is all about cheesy animation, but the content of the video was good. It takes a straight-forward approach to potty training - going over everything in step-by-step detail. There's even a "potty steps map" which I could see being a big hit with those just embarking on the journey.
Potty Adventure makes sure to convey in a friendly manner the idea that training can take time. They employ quite a bit of repetition to help with the steps, but I wasn't bored watching it. It also handled to localization issue - we all have different "pet" names for urine and feces. Most videos refer to this as "pee/poop" but in some areas that's not the dominant nomenclature. (Please don't ask me how I know this. I JUST DO, okay?)
Now, one holdup I had with the video was the issue of the Returning Diaper. There's a school of thought I somewhat subscribe to that we don't want to make the diaper seem any more exciting than it is to a child. We are trying to get out of that trap, aren't we? So in most videos, the diaper either disappears early or isn't a focus of the film.
In this video, the diaper comes roaring back in the near-closing of the movie. I guess the idea is to waive buh-bye at your diapers, but I can see a younger child (most likely the beginner this flick is tailored to) not getting the concept that the diaper was just stopping by to say goodbye. I know how difficult this process is, and if for no other reason than superstition I don't want a diaper upsetting my potty training apple-cart at the last minute.
The diaper thing might not bother you - or maybe you just have a thing for snails. If that's the case, feel free to go with Potty Adventure. You can definitely do worse in the quality department.
Potty Time DVD
We have one of the newer videos on the potty scene. Potty Time introduces signing (aka sign language) into the realm. This would obviously be very helpful if your child is less verbal or perhaps at the earlier edge of the potty training spectrum. For example, if you decided to start training your child well before the age of two, this might be a good hook to help in the process.
My son happened to walk by as this video was on, and immediately was mesmerized by the children doing a sign "song". He also enjoyed the Hopkins the Frog character immensely. To each their own, I guess.
The video covers all the bases of toilets, listening to your body, hygiene, accidents - the things we need to get across while training our toddlers. It also does a good job in expressing the idea its good to celebrate our successes, just as it's ok to make mistakes as we are learning.
On the flip side, it felt short - it was under thirty minutes running time which isn't particularly small, but it felt like it ran by quick. Come to think of it, I should probably bump up the rating just on that criteria alone - all these videos feel looooong after seeing them the hundredth time.
I did think it was odd that you never had a visualization of a kid going onto a potty in the entire video. I guess they figure most kids will get that from their parents,but still it's standard fare in most of these other videos.
I'm a Potty Princess / I'm a Potty Pirate
These two animations seemed to be paired up with one another. They are separate videos catering to Princess and Pirate lovers respectively. They play up the theme well - the pirate video has songs with plenty of "arrgs" in them for example. The grammar was pirate level - I could see the grammar nazis among us having a hissy fit when they hear their kid repeating over and over a song about "washing your hands good".
However, the copies I had weren't very good quality. The dubbing of voices weren't in time with the animation, and I had to actually turn off the Potty Princess video since the quality was giving me a headache.
My guess is this means kids will eat it right up, since it's been my experience that video quality has zero impact on whether a kid likes it or not. However, for your own sanity, stay away.
Toilet Training Review Summary
Now here's the rub - what a parent likes isn't necessarily what your kid will like and react favorably to. For example,I hate Elmo. Yeah, sue me.
But I know there are tons of kids out there that identify and love the red freak. And if my child were one of those kids, you bet I'd bite the bullet and play that video as long as I needed to get my toddler diaper-free.
What I hoped to accomplish here was to give you some insight into videos to try FIRST - ones that might be tolerable to hear over and over, as their songs embed into your brain. But if your child has a favorite character and that media conglomerate makes a training video - by all means go for it.
If you have a video you really like that I didn't mention, please let me know in the comments. I'm finally getting some more free time so I plan on keeping this site regularly up-to-date now. Good luck in your potty training adventure!
1 
Best Potty Training Pants For Your Child
An important part of the potty training process is to move toddlers from diapers to potty training pants. Keep in mind that training pants are not diapers - they aren't very absorbent even with a liner.
I assume you already know that, but there are stories of new parents who got a rude awakening when moving to training pants. I don't want that to happen to you.
What Are Toilet Training Pants?
Training pants help toddlers learn how to take off their pants and underwear while using a toilet. When a toddler uses a diaper, he or she doesn't really have to do anything. They just go.
When your child makes a jump to potty training they now need to build in enough "lead time" to get to the toilet and be ready to use it. This is going to take some time. During that period, they will have accidents - most training pants are easy to clean up.
Another feature of most training pants is they keep wetness close to the skin. This way, your child can feel when they have gone, rather than a diaper which whisks away the urine to keep your toddler dry. This is another clue for your youngster, and will help speed up the training process.
How Do You Decide What Are The Best Toilet Training Pants?
I'm going to level with you here...
...there are no "best" training pants for everyone. No matter what you might read from others on the internet, there are several different brands and styles that will work fine for your child. This isn't like selecting a heart surgeon - we're picking an item of clothing that's going to be soiled repeatedly.
That said, there are plenty of bad choices. The purpose of this article is to help you avoid the bad, and give you a few good products that will work great for your kid.
Here's what you need to look for when you buy trainers:
- Cotton Material: These are going to get wet, and they are on a sensitive part of your kid's body. Cotton has ended up working well through the years. It will absorb most of the wetness, yet still leave the wet sensation so your child can learn.
A cotton blend is ok as well - but look for at least 90% cotton if you go this route. - Seam Coverage: Generally, trainers will have some sort of elastic material around the leg holes to make sure nothing leaks out. Poorly made trainers can have exposed seams which are a problem. If wet enough, they can chafe. Your child (and you) don't need that misery in your life.
- Absorbance: There are a few way to get this. Some use a terrycloth like cotton in strategic areas. Other products have a liner. Ideally you want to keep the pee in the training pants without having it leak all over the clothes. No product will do this ALL the time, but a quality one will keep "pee-throughs" to a minimum.
Recommend Quality Potty Training Pants
I know you are busy (you're a parent). Therefore I've picked a few products that fit the bill. The first two are the boys and girls version of Gerber's product. The next two recommendations are for more absorbent trainers from brands you might not know. All of these are fine choices - you'll need to decided what feature is most important to you.
Gerber Little Girls' 4 Pack Training Pants
The potty training of kids involves a psychological part where they love to imitate their parents. The potty training pants from Gerber are designed like big kid pants, thus is quite ideal for your daughter who will like to imitate her big sister by wearing them. These pants are the perfect choice for potty training and should be used when your kid starts showing control of her bladder and bowel movements.
These training pants are made of 100 percent cotton and come fitted with an absorbent interlining. The soft elastic waistband allows for easy removal and provides increased comfort to the waist. These pants are quite durable and you can use them multiple times as they are washable and just require a machine wash and tumble dry to make them ready for reuse. Gerber Little Girls' 4 Pack Training Pants are available in a variety of sizes and color patterns.
Pros:
- Comfortable and non-itching cotton fabric
- Reusable—only requires machine wash and tumble dry
- Inside panels made of 100 % cotton and fitted with absorbent lining
- Covered elastic waistband does not pinch or chafe skin
- Easy to pull up and down
Cons:
- Not waterproof
Gerber Little Girls' Training Pants are designed for toddlers who are ready to transition from disposable diapers to cloth training pants. Gerber has been in the service of its customers for last many years which makes it quite popular and is a recognized brand for potty training toddlers.
Gerber Little Boys' 4 Pack Training Pants
The potty training pants from Gerber are designed like “big boy” pants, thus are quite ideal for little boys who want to imitate their big brothers. These pants are the perfect choice for potty training and should be used when transitioning your kid from diapers to cloth underwear. These training pants are made of 100 percent cotton and come fitted with absorbent interlining. The soft elastic waistband allows for easy removal and does not pinch the skin. You can use them multiple times as they only require a machine wash and tumble dry to make them ready for reuse. Gerber Little Boys' 4 Pack Training Pants are available in three sizes and two designs.
Pros:
- Reusable
- Made of comfortable and non-itching cotton fabric
- Inside panels made of 100 % cotton and fitted with absorbent lining
- Covered soft elastic waistband for comfort
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Not 100 percent waterproof
Gerber Little Boys' 4 Pack Training Pants – Blue are designed to train toddlers into noticing the discomfort of wet pants. As these pants are very light and soft to the skin, they are perfect for transitioning from diapers to potty training pants.
Green Sprouts Unisex Baby Training 2 Pack Underwear
These reusable potty training pants are designed to provide ease of usage for toddlers and are easy to pull up and down. The wide rib leg bands provided in this underwear provide a comfortable fit. Though it is not 100 percent leak-proof, it comes with a waterproof interlining which helps in containing a majority of the mess. Made of 90 percent cotton and 10 percent polyester, it provides toddlers with a feeling of wetness, which plays a major role in potty training.
The cotton ribs are lined with terry padding to provide the maximum level of absorption. Green Sprouts Unisex Baby Training 2 Pack Underwear is available in three sizes and three color/design variants.
Pros:
- Reusable
- Pull up design for potty training
- Naturally absorbent material used
- No superabsorbent gels or harsh chemicals used in this product
- Manufactured using high grade natural material
- Breathable and absorbent material
Cons:
- Can be tight around the legs and waist
- They come in a 2 pack - you're going to want to pick up a few packs to make sure you have enough clean pairs on hand.
These training pants do not wick moisture away from the skin, which motivates the toddler to use the potty whenever the urge hits. As these pants are reusable, they are worth the money spent on buying them.
Dimore Baby Toddler Cotton Training Pants
These training pants are manufactured using 100 percent cotton which makes them quite comfortable and stretchable. In order to absorb accidental urine discharge, the crotch area is made up waterproof terry. These pants are quite easy to wash as you just have to machine wash and tumble dry and they are ready for reuse. They come in a pack of five assorted designs and are available in sizes ranging from S (18 months), M (2T) and L (3T).
The package contains five different patterned training pants. These pants are quite suitable as underwear for preventing wetting outside the trousers or pajamas. They are much softer than paper diapers and help in preventing diaper rash and itching of the skin.
Pros:
- More effective in preventing wetting outside the trousers
- Much softer as compared to paper diapers
- Available in three different sizes
- New brand with quality designing
- Natural material used in manufacturing of outer shell with terry material inside for waterproofing
- Easy to use
- Reusable
Cons:
- Some users reported poor stitching in earlier versions of this product.
- Not made in the USA.
Dimore Baby Toddler 5 Pack Assortment Cotton Training Pants quite a bargain if you are looking for a pack of five training pants at a reasonable price.
Conclusion
If you want to buy name brand potty training pants for your daughter, then the best option for you is the Gerber Little Girls' 4 Pack Training Pants; and if you want to potty train your boy, you should opt for Gerber Little Boys' 4 Pack Training Pants as they are manufactured using 100 percent cotton and are made by Gerber.
This company is recognized for its line of baby products. Gerber has a proud tradition of quality, and it really shows in their training pants.
If you are looking for a good bargain, then the Dimore Baby Toddler 5 Pack Assortment Cotton Training Pants are a great choice as you get great value for the money.
If you have any other recommendations, or questions about potty training pants, please let me know in the comments.
How to Potty Train a Girl
The perfect age to potty train a girl is between eighteen months to three years and in some cases, it can go beyond four years of age. It is generally noted that girls tend to start their potty training much earlier as compared to boys. There are no perfect guidelines regarding this subject as each child is unique in his or her way and to restrict something like potty training to an age chart can be quite wrong.
Due to individual personalities, children can respond quite differently to a potty training regimen. It is always better to buy all the paraphernalia related with potty training before hand and start talking about its use with your daughter rather than unexpectedly starting the whole exercise. Since you have already introduced your daughter to this subject, she may not find it awkward to suddenly use the toilet.
Pre-potty Training and Its impact
In order to gradually introduce your daughter to the concept of potty training, you must start the preparations long before the actual exercise. The first step is to buy all the material required for potty training. One of the most important tools required is the potty training seat. Usually there are two types of potty training seats, which are standalone potty seats with removable bowls or small sized seats which can be fixed on the existing toilet seat. It is of high importance that you opt for the right equipment. The other items associated with this regimen may include potty training pants, DVDs, CDs and books to prepare your daughter for the entire process.
By allowing her to watch cartoon movies and songs, you can fire her imagination and create an atmosphere of excitement which can ease her mind regarding this concept. When she starts wearing training pants instead of her usual diapers, it will establish a sense of achievement for her and create enthusiasm to do more. You can also use her favorite dolls to introduce her to potty training and she can practice her new found skills with her doll. The next step is to let her pick out her own potty training seat and let her personalize it with stickers. This will create a sense of ownership and stimulate her to try it out.
How to Select a Potty Training Seat
When opting for any of the potty trainers available, one must make sure that the size and design of training seats are appropriate in weight and size. It must have a design that provides stability and comfort. While opting for such equipment, you should make sure that:
- The size and design of the training seat allows your daughter can lean forward without losing her balance.
- Standalone potty seats are high enough to allow the child to firmly place her feet on the floor.
- Adapter seats allow you to fix them securely to your toilet seat and provide the required comfort and security to your toddler.
- A stool or one-step ladder is available while using adapter seats so that your daughter is able to climb on and off the seat.
- Material used should be of high quality.
Hygiene Consideration for Potty Training
Even after getting settled with using a potty, children tend to depend upon a parent for wiping and washing their hands etc. The hardest part for a little one is wiping after the business is done. Apart from hygiene related to this procedure, poor cleaning of the bottom can result not only in messy situations but can also lead to some serious health problems. Depending upon the personality of a kid, she may or may not want your help in doing so. Whatever the position may be, you must make sure that your little one establishes good habits from the start. As a parent you should make sure that:
- She learns the proper way to wipe, which is from front to back. Doing opposite of that can create some serious health problems and can be a major cause of urinary tract infections.
- She is introduced to flushable toilet paper or wipes. an
- She is motivated to wash her hands after each use of toilet.
Summary
There is no sure shot method to potty training your daughter as each individual is unique. There are many methods employed by parents from all over the world to potty train their kids and a majority of these ideas depend upon the personality and likings of your child. If you are not sure about how to start the potty training process, the best option is to consult your friends or relatives. While doing so, keep in mind that you should not follow their guidelines too strictly because what worked for them may not work for you.
You must be ready to innovate and cajole your child to start participating in this exercise. Nowhere during the whole regimen should you lose your patience if there is any untoward incident. Just keep on working with your daughter and get all the information required for proper potty training to help you make informed decision for your kid to learn the proper use of toilet hygiene.
How to Potty Train a Boy
There are many articles available on the internet that deal with potty training your toddler and all of them have a common point: the gender of the child plays a major role in the start of this exercise as boys tend to start later and require a longer period of time as compared to girls. Of course there are always exceptions. There is no doubt that girls tend to learn the intricacies related to potty training in a faster manner. In the end, keep in mind that every child is unique in his or her way.
You cannot stereotype them based on these social myths. Most kids the ages of 18 to 24 months are quite ready to be initiated, but it also depends upon the individual child. You're the parent so you'll have a good idea if it is time or not.
So how do you potty train a boy and what are the indications which can give you a heads up that your loved one is ready to use a potty trainer?
Age's Effect on Potty Training
A majority of parents wait until their toddler reaches the age of two and half or three years. This is generally practiced due to the fact that when a kid reaches this age, he starts to show control of his bladder and bowel movements. There is no sure fire guarantee that your child will be ready to start using the potty at this age. There are some exceptional cases where a child doesn’t becomes interested in toilet training until he reaches three to four years old.
The key is starting when your son is ready. Research shows that starting potty training in earlier years does not mean that you will get the results much earlier than expected. A head start does not necessarily provide the expected results.
If you start potty training at an earlier time than is right for your son, it make take longer than if you had waited. If you are really unsure, wait. Doctors say most issues come from starting too soon.
I admit, it's not always easy to tell. I also don't want you to be afraid that by starting him a month early, your child is doomed to be in diapers until he's 6. That's not what I (or science) is saying. It just means it might take a few weeks or months more (on average) if you start a child too early.
Remember: You know your child best. If you are a normal, loving parent, you aren't going to permanently damage your son if you start a little early or late. Just trust your gut, and act with love.
So it is always better to learn the signs related with the right time to initiate potty training rather than following a predetermined age chart.
Signs That Your Child Is Ready
Potty training should start when your toddler starts showing signs of readiness. These signs may include:
- Showing coordination of movement
- Change in frequency of urination and starts urinating large amount at one go
- Shows well formed bowel movements and urgency at predictable time periods
- Interest in using toilet seat to copy other members of the family
- Stopping all activities for a period of time when urge arises
- Clutching diaper or showing signs of distress due to soiled or wet diaper
- Attains the ability to pull his diaper on and off
- Starts using verbal or physical signs related with bowel movements which may include specific words, grunting or squatting on the ground
- Starts feeling physical urges to potty and has the ability to convey it to you
Right Equipment for Potty Training
While opting for potty training, one of the most important things that should be taken care of is selecting the best potty training seat for your child. There are two types of potty training seats: standalone potty seats with removable bowl or small-sized seats which can be fixed on the existing toilet seat. It is of high importance that you opt for the right equipment. When choosing any of the potty trainers on the market, you should make sure that the size and design of such training seat provides stability and comfort and promotes good posture. While opting for such equipment, you should make sure that:
- The size and design of the training seat allows your son to lean forward without losing his balance.
- If you choose a standalone potty seats, the height of the seat allows your child to firmly place his feet on the floor. It's really a good idea for adults as well, but there are more options with children.
- If you are using an adapter seat (one that goes over the toilet seat), it should fix securely to your toilet seat and provide the required comfort and security for your toddler. It can be scary for a child to be sitting up that high the first few times.
- Has a stool or one step ladder while using adapter seats so that your son is able to maneuver on and off from the seat.
- Quality materials are used in the manufacturing of the product.
- You have the option of a removable pee-guard so that you can remove it if the child feels uncomfortable.
Starting the Potty Training
While introducing your toddler to potty training, the one option is to allow him to watch and learn. When a toddler sees his parents using the bathroom, he may want to imitate them. This is the right moment to introduce him how both parents use the toilet seat in different ways. This will also allow you to introduce your little one to basic mechanics used by boys for using the toilet. If the mother is dealing with the potty training, then she can avail the services of the father or an older brother to teach the art of piddling right into the bowl or how to aim the stream of urine directly into the bowl without any accidental spray.
Obviously, this might be uncomfortable for you but it'll help your child in the long run.
Even before starting the potty training regimen, you can also opt for picture books or videos dedicated to this subject, which are readily available on the internet, so that your child can easily grasp the idea behind the whole exercise. In order to make him comfortable with the use of a standalone potty trainer, you can encourage him to start sitting on it even when there is no urge and once he is comfortable sitting on it, then you can suggest that he try sitting on it without his pants or diaper. If by chance he resists this idea, do not insist too much as it will make him more resistant to the idea. Patience and time are the most important things required for potty training your kid. Once your child gets the idea of using his potty, then you can set up a training schedule.
Summary
Potty training your son can be a frustrating experience but make sure that you do not lose your cool while he makes mistakes. Chances are that even after learning how to use the potty seat, your kid may have an accident or two; that does not mean that you should scold your child or overreact. Doing so can scar him and it can even disrupt the potty training regimen. Potty training is just like learning a new art for a kid and accidents can happen while doing so. Instead of being punitive, make it by using certain activities which can motivate him to indulge in this exercise.