Toilet learning can be overwhelming with so many opinions, but the truth is, there are few if any, reasons to wait once your child shows signs of readiness—and plenty of reasons to start now. Here’s why.
The Myth vs. Reality
The Myth: Children will initiate potty training when they are ready.
Some believe that potty training should be child-led and that the little ones involved will eventually tell you that they would like you to take their diaper off so they can pee or poop in a toilet. And to be fair, this does happen. However, in my experience, this is the exception, not the rule, and by the time you realize that this is not your child’s journey, it may be beyond the ideal window for helping your son or daughter learn this skill (not that it is ever too late. It can just be more challenging with older children, for many reasons.) While this belief has some merit and children will show signs of readiness, in reality most children need parental guidance to successfully navigate potty training.
The Reality: Toilet Learning requires parental initiation at the appropriate time.
Toilet learning is not like your child starting to crawl or walk during which time you can simply give them a safe space to practice and they will eventually do it on their own. Toilet learning requires your direct involvement because there are steps that the child can not take on their own, such as buying a toilet their size. It is also important not to wait too long because their little parts (muscles) that control the retention and release of urine and feces are now under their control (if they are in fact ready) and like any other muscle will develop stronger if used.
How do we know if we’re ready to potty train?
The first step to deciding that it is time to ditch the diapers is determining the child’s readiness for this important developmental progression. (Fill out this form and one of our professionals will walk you through a readiness checklist.)
Another important step is to determine your own readiness. For a lot of families moving from diapers to elimination independence feels like the official transition from baby to toddler and this can be a difficult thing to accept/embrace. Don’t worry. If you are not there yet this blog post may be enough to get you over that hurdle!
Let’s get into the reasons for tackling this sooner rather than later.
The 12 Reasons To Make The Transition Now
Benefits for the child
One of the things that I find myself repeating in just about every conversation I have regarding children is that they are people too. Children have mostly the same needs as adults and being diaper-free increases their access to the fulfillment of many of those needs.
Autonomy - The need to make choices and have control over one’s own life.
Pride - The need to feel a sense of accomplishment and self-worth.
Privacy - The need for personal space and confidentiality.
Dignity - The need to be treated with respect and honor.
Self-Esteem - The need to have a positive sense of one's own value and capabilities.
Potty training can significantly boost a child's sense of pride and self-esteem by giving them a sense of accomplishment and autonomy. Successfully using the toilet is a milestone that signifies growing independence, and children often feel proud of their ability to manage this new responsibility. As they learn and master this skill, they receive positive reinforcement from parents and caregivers, which further enhances their self-worth. This process helps them recognize their capabilities and fosters a positive self-image, as they experience firsthand the satisfaction of achieving a goal and being recognized for their efforts. Additionally, successfully navigating this milestone gives them a greater sense of dignity and privacy, as they can manage their personal needs more discreetly and on their time line.
Non-child-related reasons: Because you’re important too!
Of course, we are always looking for ways to make sure that our babies are comfortable and happy but a family consists of multiple members and each member needs to be considered for peace and harmony within the unit.
6. Saving money - Think about the hundreds of dollars you could save each year by ditching diapers early. The cost of disposable diapers is almost $1000 per year! What will you do with your savings?
7. Lightens the load - Although you will likely have to bring a change of clothes with you for some time after taking this step you will no longer have to have diapers, creams, wipes, etc. Have you ever carried a diaper around with you because you weren’t near a trash can? Yuck!
8. Convenience - Along with everything else you are lugging around, did you remember to bring a changing pad? Not all bathrooms have changing tables and most don’t have any other surface that you would want to place your child on.
9. Peace - Have you gotten to the point where the diaper change is one of the biggest struggles in your day? If it’s not that they are kicking and screaming in protest they are likely rolling and squirming to get back to their play and exploration. And the echoes in a public restroom-like your little one needs any help projecting!
Environmental Issues
The environmental impact of disposable diapers is another consideration that is significant but rarely discussed. Let’s break it down.
10. Waste-20 billion used diapers end up in landfills each year including the feces that is in them (did you know that you are “supposed to” dump the solids into a toilet before disposal?)
11. Decomposition-Common disposable diapers take roughly 500 years to fully decompose
12. Toxins-Disposable diapers are made from plastic, a petroleum-based product, whose extraction and refinement contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and resource depletion. Additionally, these diapers can contain over 60 potentially hazardous chemicals, including dioxins and formaldehyde. In landfills, they can release dangerous substances such as phthalates, acrylamide, and dyes.
Of course, you do have the option of buying compostable or reusable diapers, which have come a long way in the aspect of convenience and effectiveness however, once the butt is ready I say “un-diaper it!”
*visit Heal the Planet for more information and ways to reduce the harm.
Okay. We are ready. Now what?
Now that you have determined that you are ready to move away from diapers the next step is to create your Toilet Learning plan. When it comes to this transition terms like “starting”, “trying”, “working on”, etc. scream to me that you will run the risk of moving from “trying” back to full-on diapering. With the correct method, you can have a solid foundation laid in as little as 3 days and there will be no confusion for you, or the child, as to whether this process is complete.
Toilet Learning consists of taking the child from oblivious to aware, giving lots of practice, and not allowing diapers as an option (and yes, pull-ups are 100% considered diapers in this context and I DO NOT recommend them for potty training.)
Wherever you are on your journey we would love to guide you. Ready to start? Fill out the form here to create your customized Toilet Learning plan and take the first step toward a diaper-free future.
Comentarios