Last modified on December 3, 2024
Learning cleanliness… Are we dirty?
To be honest, saying that a child is finally "potty-trained" sounds a little strange to our kind ears. Does it mean they were just a little pig? Of course, the desire to introduce one's child to the cleanliness The idea of starting potty training as soon as possible is tempting. Getting rid of diapers is a dream for many. How is it possible to achieve toilet training? How does it work in different parts of the world? And if this learning process is slow to begin, is it reasonable to worry?
Cleanliness: how does it work around the world?
While in Western countries the use of disposable diapers is widespread and the potty has become a rite of passage from babyhood to "grown-up"“, However, this is not the case everywhere.
In Ivory Coast, for example, the Beng begin training as soon as the umbilical cord falls off. Enemas are administered to prevent bowel movements during the day. Since the use of diapers is only anecdotal, this practice is explained by... the details provided by anthropologist Alma Gottlieb.
In China, children in rural areas wear split-crotch pants from the age of two. This design allows them to relieve themselves without soiling their clothes when they squat. These are just two examples, but they are presented to remind us that each culture offers different expectations and that it is important to reflect on our own practices.
How to do it?
What are the different elements to consider when embarking on the great adventure of potty training? Here are the results of our modest research on the child-centered approach.
Is baby ready for potty training?
Responding to this physiological need is a natural and spontaneous process. The child is fully involved in this stage and only he or she can determine when to proceed.
Toilet training typically takes place between the ages of 2 and 4. There are two key criteria to consider before embarking on the path to success:
- Ptiloup needs to be physically ready. From around the age of two, a child is able to control their sphincters and determine if their organs are "full." If they are able to sit on the pot Or the toilet seat reducer, By partially undressing and keeping his diaper clean for several hours, he is on the right track to get started.
- Ptiloup needs to be psychologically ready. In other words, he needs to be interested and actively participate in this project. Is he curious about it? Does he signal when his diaper is full? Does he express his needs? Does he follow simple instructions? If so, you can consider starting the potty training project. If not, you can be patient and describe what's in his diaper to him during diaper changes. However, avoid saying it's "dirty" or that the smell is awful (even if you strongly believe it) because a value judgment will only make the child anxious.
Is there a good time?
Of course, you really want to get rid of these layers which restrict your baby's movement, hinder their explorations, pollute the environment terribly, and represent a significant expense for your wallet. But Rushing things could be counterproductive here. Take advantage of its maturation and a calm period to embark on this adventure. There's no question of starting to celebrate the move or the arrival of Baby #2. Even though summer is a nice time (few clothes to take off, lots of outdoor games to limit accidents in the house), it's not the only possible time, and you can trust your child's wishes. If they don't want to start in the summer, it will have to wait until autumn, winter, or even spring. Be patient; it's not such a big deal after all. When they're ready, they'll let you know, and it will be much simpler than you imagine.
How to integrate going to the toilet into your routine?
Here we are, he knows the pot or the reducer and he tries from time to time to use it with varying degrees of success. Of course, You congratulate him on every attempt without dwelling on the empty pots.
NOW, You can suggest that he/she go to the toilet at times when it seems important to you (or him/her) to go. Offering the toilet upon waking, after meals, or before bedtime should not prevent him from going on his own initiative. If he doesn't want to go before meals but expresses the need 10 minutes later, avoid scolding him (even if it's a little frustrating) and praise his ability to listen to his body. Being too rigid could encourage him to hold it in excessively (with the associated risk of constipation) and prevent him from fully engaging in his games.
Encourage him to stay on the potty a little longer if you see that nothing is happening, but without forcing him. We advise you to avoid offering him toys or books which, although they may help him stay longer, will distract him.
To slip or not to slip?
Would your child be ready to take the plunge into a pair of 100% cotton underpants? If they are regularly using the potty, you can consider switching to underpants and organize a real "underwear party" (and yes, you have to show it's a party!). It's important to keep in mind that Accidents will happen and many pairs of underwear will suffer the consequences. That's normal! If an accident occurs and your kitten comes to warn you, Congratulate him for telling you that (even if the prospect of having to clean everything isn't exactly appealing). If the underwear remains dry, Congratulate him too. And if it's no longer sparkling clean, so be it, change it. If the underwear is consistently soiled during your first attempts, you can switch back to diapers, or even training pants temporarily. It's not a failure, but a rough draft exercise to do a better final version next time.
What equipment should I use? Potty or toilet?
And here comes The big question of the equipment needed to acquire sphincter control. What would be the ideal object for learning? A toilet seat adapter or reducer? A potty? A toilet step stool? A miniature toilet?
There is no miracle solution, but you must keep in mind that the equipment must be freely accessible to the child. A potty placed in the corner of the toilet or a toilet seat reducer and a small step stool These are the easiest solutions to implement. The toilet seat reducer has the advantage of requiring no further adjustments to transition to a standard toilet. If you'd like to try your hand at plumbing and (like me) find the mini toilets in nurseries adorable, you could also consider building a permanent toilet, but the financial/space/time investment might be a bit disproportionate for home use ;).
To learn impeccable hygiene, don't hesitate, like Gargantua, to try out the different solutions at your disposal, such as toilet paper, a glove, or... washable wipe. Rabelais thus vividly recounted the tribulations of his hero ;).
What if things don't go as planned?
Some babies may panic at the idea of "losing" this part of themselves.. You can help your little one understand that their body is a bit like a container: things go in, things go out. To do this, don't hesitate to move beyond games that involve... transfer so that he fully integrates it.
And what about my privacy? It is strongly advised to set a good example for your toddlers when it comes to toilet training. While this is particularly beneficial for their learning, you may not be comfortable with the idea. Why should it be any different for your child? Respect their need.
Regressions are common. It's possible that Ptiloup, after being house-trained for several weeks or months, may revert to an accidental phase. Don't be upset and simply repeat the training steps as explained above.
Before you worry, please note that’No stress before age 4! After this age, if your child shows no interest in learning about sphincter control, don't hesitate to talk to a trusted healthcare professional. Your family doctor or pediatrician can help.
Bedwetting, urination, and other joys to understand
To delve deeper, we offer you a small dictionary of the most tender, charming, and unsettling words on the oft-discussed (but never flavorless) theme of pee (and poop, obviously). Therefore, we will not be satisfied with the most banal words to explain to children what happens in their tummies and in the potty.
- Sphincters: these are the muscles that control the flow. Therefore, it is more accurate to speak of’acquisition of sphincter control rather than toilet training.
- Micturition: the act of urinating.
- Defecate: the expulsion of fecal matter.
- Enuresis (nocturnal): more easily called bedwetting, is the involuntary occurrence of urination in children over 5 years old.
- Urinary meatus: the external opening of the urinary system.
- Bladder: is the reservoir that stores urine.
- Colon: is the area where stool is stored after completing a fabulous journey through our body and before being expelled via the anus.
Discover our trending page dedicated to the delicate art of potty training“ :
Our articles on the same topic
- Is brushing your teeth and washing your hands only useful for hygiene?
- Natural infant hygiene
- Psychomotor therapist specializing in Natural Infant Hygiene: a closer look at the profession of Rokiyah Hosen
Our selection
To go further
- Read the excellent article from Naître et Grandir on the subject of cleanliness
- Early childhood professionals treat us to a insightful perspective from a psychomotor therapist
- The Canadian Paediatric Society it also allows you to seriously take stock
- A closer look at Rokiyah Hosen's profession : psychomotor therapist specializing in Natural Infant Hygiene
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