How do begin introducing a child to potty training?

I am a nanny for 2 boys, 3 & 1.5. Recently, thier parents have tried to start potty training on the older child, to no avail. They have switched him from diapers to pull-ups (aren't they the same thing to him?). He doesn't care when his pull-ups are wet/dirty, will play in them that way all day if you let him. And he parrots everything you say, so if you ask him if he needs to go or if he's wet, he just repeats the question and then ignores you. They think he wouldn't care if he was left to run around naked, but I thought that regular undies and a plastic cover might help. Make it less pleasant to be wet or dirty since the pull-up absorbs everything away from the skin.

Public Comments

1. 3 is indeed a bit old to start. I would suggest a chart, where each time he uses the potty, he earns a reward. It needs to be something he likes. I'm not a big fan of food rewards, so we just did a sticker chart, and each time he got three stickers, the child would get a small prize like a fast food kids meal toy or something. Other people have had good success with things like m&ms.

   I would also suggest pointing out at every opportunity that big kids use the potty.

   Then if all else fails, just give him underwear and make him help clean them when he goes in his pants instead of the potty. No one likes it, but it works pretty quickly!

   Hang in there!



2. Boys seem to take longer. Maybe you are right, he won't like wet pants. I wouldn't use the cover, just use regular undies and tell him there are no more pull ups. But the parents have to also stick with the plan - you all need to work together.

   Also rewarding him for going on the potty may help. My sister and friend both used M&Ms to reward them.

   Maybe also find something he wants to participate in (gym or a sport) and tell him he can't wear diapers to the activity. My sister's daughter wanted ballet classes, she couldn't go if in a diaper. Once she learned this, she decided she would use the potty.

   The good thing is that once the younger one sees the older one going on the potty he will be easier to train.



3. I have a daughter, and when she was 18months old, I introduced the potty to her and let her sit on it with nappy on, let her put sweets in it and put it on her head. The novelty had worn off by the time she was ready. I used a kiddy toilet seat for the 'real thing' and let her run free in the house without nappy, but made her sit on potty for the business. Eventually, using the toilet seat and potty, especially when visiting friends, (but not to run naked though), it worked. She had a few accidents in bed, and was fine after that. Try introducing the potty to the little one and the older one will show interest, through jealousy if nothing else, then you have his attention.


4. pull ups dont absorb everything they leave some wetness. take him once an hour and put him on the potty. they can train both kids at once even. on the older kid use regular undies and the plastic pants he will feel wet and not like it good luck


5. well first off the child needs to be ready himself they do make pullups that when he messes in them will make him feel wet they are called feel and learn pullups I think pullups brand is the only brand that has these I am not sure though

   Signs your child may be ready:

   * Your child is staying dry for longer periods of time (often two hours or more). This indicates that her bladder capacity is increasing.

   * Your child recognizes when she is in the process of urinating or voiding. If you try to potty train before this time, you'll likely run into trouble, since your child isn't really aware of what she's doing and so is unable to control something she can't understand.

   * Your child is able to easily pull her pants up and down. She may not have had any reason to do so in the past, but luckily, of all the readiness factors, this skill is easily learned.

   * Your child can follow simple instructions. There are many steps to using the toilet that we take for granted as adults. For example-- go to the bathroom, turn on the light, pull down your pants and underwear, sit on the potty, wipe your bottom, flush the toilet, wash your hands-- the list goes on, so this is a very important skill.

   * Your child is able to sit and engage in an activity for several minutes without becoming distracted or irritable.

   * Your child is walking and running well. Because the urge to potty is often sudden in toddlers, and because a potty isn't always steps away, it's important for your child to be able to make it to the toilet before an accident occurs.

   * Finally, and perhaps most importantly, your child shows interest and desire. Interest in keeping dry or clean. Interest in wearing "big kid" underwear. Interest in what you're doing when you go potty and a desire to do what you're doing.

   Remember, age is not the most important factor. Potty training will be best accomplished when your child's physical and emotional development are taken into account as well.

   hear is another websight I found that I used when I started my son



6. I tried the pull up way and found it was the same as diapers. Then I went straight to underwear. (I always had carpet cleaner on hand) He had a couple of accidents but that was all it took. He didn't like the feel of it. You have to make sure the child is read though. He should be showing signs of readiness by letting you know he's wet, going longer times between diaper changes, etc.


7. order the free potty training cd from huggies, u can order it online frm the huggies website. It shall be helpful

   All the best