Potty Training Problems

Are you a frustrated parent who dreams of a day when you will no longer be changing diapers? Do you watch other parents potty train their children with ease while your child isn't interested in the potty at all? Well join the club! I was one of those parents whose child refused to potty train, and no amount of coaxing did the trick.

In this article, I will list several potty training problems and what you can do to avoid them. I will also recommend several books and videos that helped my children understand the concepts behind potty training. Even if your little one seems years away from potty training, you could be diaper free sooner than you think. In my opinion, there are several keys to successful potty training.

The key first key to successful potty training, in my opinion, is developing a well thought out plan and being consistent. Whether you are using sticker charts or other incentives, find what works best for your child and stick with it. We got the most mileage out of stickers to chart progress and a small jellybean reward at the end of the day for no accidents.

The second key to successful potty training, in my opinion, is throwing away diapers and pull-ups and switching to underwear as soon as you can. My children never learned to associate the feeling of going potty with the actual physical results, until they felt the wetness in their underwear. It only took a few days of messy accidents for them to realize they didn't like peeing and pooping in their underwear. Plus they got excited about picking out new "big kid" underwear and trying to keep them dry.

The third and most important key to successful potty training, in my opinion, is understanding the common potty training problems and seeking help when necessary.

There are 3 main problems that occur for most parents.

Potty Training Problem #1:

For many parents, potty training involves weeks, even months of ups and downs. There will be times when your child will do great with very few accidents, and other times when they will leave you wondering what you are doing wrong. A certain amount of regression is to be expected. Remember, they are just learning how to use the potty. Many children often excel at first only to regress when it is no longer "new and exciting". In this case, simply start your incentive program again, watch the potty videos, and look through potty books. These are all ways that you can reinforce your child's desire to be a "big kid".

Potty Training Problem #2:

What do you do when your child repeatedly has accidents in his/her underwear? As a parent your first question shouldn't be "what am I doing wrong?" It should be "what is wrong?" Many children have frequent accidents in their underwear because of an underlying problem such as urinary tract infections or chronic constipation. Your pediatrician can determine if these are the causes and may even prescribe medication.

My son had frequent stools in his underwear. We tried everything and were at our wits end. Finally I took him to the pediatrician and she decided that he had chronic constipation. The result was small frequent poops that "escaped" in his underwear without his control. She prescribed medication that has really helped him.

Potty Training Problem #3:

Have you had a recent setback in your child's potty progress? If so, then you may want to look back at the last few weeks. Have there been any major changes to your child's life or routine? A new sibling? Starting preschool? Any changes to his life will result in stress. Stress can have a profound effect on potty training. Talk with your child about her fears and reassure her that things will return to normal. Most importantly BE PATIENT. If your child is already uncertain about things, putting pressure on her to potty train can blow up in both of your faces.

If you are interested in potty training your child keep all these things in mind. Potty training does not happen overnight, but it does happen and you will get through it. Until then I highly recommend the following potty training resources. Good luck with all of your potty training endeavors.

Potty Training Resources that helped us:
1. Potty Train Your Child in just One Day by Teri Crane

2."Potty Power" DVD by Mazzarella Media

3."I Gotta Go!" DVD by Vickilew Productions

4. The Potty Book by A.Capucilli

5. The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Potty Training Problems by Alison D. Schonwald, & George G. Sheldon