10 Most Common Potty Training Problems
While in the throes of potty training your toddler it is easy to imagine that you are the only parent ever to have experienced your particular toilet training problem.
1. Resistance
2. Refusing to do bowel movements into potty – This common problem is usually as a result of either constipation or fear of the toilet.
3. Fear of toilet – All it takes in one bad experience for a toddler to develop a fear of the toilet. She may feel instead on the ‘big’ toilet. To overcome this, ensure that you use a comfortable toilet adaptor and that you crouch down to their level and provide her with physical support. If this does not reassure her, it may be worth your while reverting to the potty until she has regained her confidence. Constipation may also be an underlying issue worth considering.
5. Bedwetting
6. Playing with private parts – Once small children become aware of their private parts it is not uncommon for them to touch them. Experts agree that it is best not to stop them from touching themselves, but instead to tell them that it is something that should be done in private – not in front of others. Forbidding touching will either make it seem more appealing, or make them think it is something nasty.
7. Excessive accidents – If your child has never been dry, check through the signs of readiness to ensure that you haven’t started too early. If your tot is not ready it is unrealistic to expect that there will not be accidents. Wait another month and try again. However, if your child has been dry and has suddenly started having accidents, this relapse may be due to stress. Review things and consider what might have changed and may be upsetting him.
8. Accidents away from home – It is very common for young children to get so caught up in play that they forget to go to the toilet. Ensure that you always carry spare clothing in case of this happening, and do not scold or punish as this behavior is unintentional. If this is happening at daycare, discuss the matter with the staff out of earshot of your child. Make sure that there are no issues which may be upsetting your tot.
9. Refusal to wipe own bottom – Encourage your child to wipe their own bottom from as early on in training as possible. It is important that the bottom is as clean as possible to avoid soreness and germs, and therefore it will be necessary for you to check until they are at least three years old. Remember to teach girls to wipe from front to back.
10. Constipation
If you are still concerned, or have tried the advice above and are not seeing any progress, do not be afraid to consult your doctor. It is worth recording your child’s toileting patterns over a period of a week to assist your doctor with his diagnosis.
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