Parents do not start toilet training on children too soon

Patience is especially important when it comes to drying
Many parents look forward to the day when their child independently goes to the bathroom and is finally free of diapers. But how can you get the child off the diaper? Above all, it is important not to start too early with the "potty training". This is indicated by the Professional Association of Paediatricians (BVKJ) on its website "kinderaerzte-im-netz.de". Because certain physical processes are not yet mature, it is even promoted by the enuresis during the day.

Children need to be able to classify physical sensations
As soon as the children are a little bit bigger, many parents are looking forward to not having to wrap anymore. But for a child to be able to cope without diapers, it must be able to control the bladder and bowels. This ability can not be influenced, because so urine and stool can be kept safe, many body processes must first be mature.

Parents should not put pressure on their children in the dry phase. (Image: Saklakova / fotolia.com)

"For an independent visit to the toilet or potty, your child must learn to coordinate a range of physical and mental tasks. It needs to familiarize itself with his body and its functions, and make a plan for how it gets to the toilet, "Dr. Monika Niehaus, member of the expert panel of the Professional Association of Paediatricians (BVKJ). For this it is necessary that the child can concentrate and remember and understand the explanations of the parents, Niehaus continues.

Development takes place at different speeds
Only at about two and a half to three years would children have the ability to pay attention, e.g. from tackling a game and heading to another activity - such as going to the toilet to urinate or defecate. From then it is possible that this "plan" will be carried out without being distracted by other things. According to the experts, however, this development step takes place very differently from child to child.

Pressure can lead to emptying disorders
Parents should therefore under no circumstances put pressure on their child and not push it too early "potty training". Because the child is not ready yet, this could favor emptying disorders, stresses the professional association. "Young children tend to hold back their stool and urine early in toilet training," warns. Niehaus. It is therefore important to stay patient and wait until the child is able to get along without diapers.

Dry with books and chamber pot prepare
"Drying up" can be prepared by parents teaching the child about one and a half years of words describing emptying. Thus, the child can point to stool or urinary urgency, as soon as it is ready. It should also be explained to children that this is a normal process and that all people and animals have to empty themselves regularly, according to the Expert Council.

Shortly before the second birthday could then words for the toilet and the potty and their function are learned. At this time, it is also possible to give the child their own chamber pot to practice the emptying - whether by means of a doll or by its own putting on. Books on the subject would also be interesting for the children at this time.

It is important that the child is not forced to practice, emphasizes the professional association. Motivation can be built up by praise. Similarly, the prospect of underwear instead of diaper spur children often in addition - "as a privilege and signs of aging," explain the experts. (No)