Tips for Early Potty Training

Early potty training is a subjective term, since everyone has a different idea about when a child should be potty trained. According to Tina Kelley of "The New York Times," more than 50 percent of children are potty trained before the age of one. This practice is widely accepted and utilized in 75 countries, including Kenya, India, Greenland, and China, according to the newspaper. A good principle to follow is to potty train when both you and your baby are ready.

  1. Be Patient and Provide Confidence

    • Provide your child with confidence.

      An advantage of starting early is that you can take a long time to potty train. It is an everyday practice with plenty of time to succeed. Whenever you decide to start, do not be stressed or pressed for time to get your child potty trained. Practice patience and show that patience to your child. Let her know through both verbal and body language that it is okay when she has an accident and that you are proud of her when she succeeds. Never show frustration or stress to your child regarding potty training. Let your child potty train at her own pace.

    Sound Association Conditioning

    • Teach your baby the sensation of going potty by associating it with a noise.

      Start this tip even when your child is an infant. Whenever you notice that your child is peeing or pooping, hold her gently at the thighs in a seated position and make a hissing or grunting noise. Your baby will start to associate going potty with these noises. As your baby gets older and you start to potty train her, use these noises when she is sitting on the potty chair.

    Know the Signals

    • Knowing your baby's potty signals will benefit you in teaching your baby potty associations and in knowing when to take her to the potty chair. Signals may include suddenly becoming quiet, passing gas, tensing or stiffening up, staring at the bathroom, staring, kicking, or suddenly stopping play time.

    Attire

    • Dress your baby in potty training appropriate attire, such as elastic waist pants, skirts, pull-up diapers, or diapers. Elastic waist pants are easier to get off quickly than are pants with zippers and buttons. Pull-up diapers are easy to get off and on and have the added security of diaper material. Give your child the opportunity to wear diapers on days that are not going so well.