When should I potty train?

You asked and you shall now receive. It’s only fair for us to share all of this stored up knowledge about a toddlers and what happens when they start toddling (and talking)! We now will answer, in a very public forum, all of those burning questions about children in their second year. Each Wednesday, we will tackle a commonly-asked-question from the point of view of a parent with a toddler. Chiming in to give her feedback will be three women who have been there and done that: an expert (you know someone who does this for a living), a mom from our community (for the “best” friend advice you need) and a babybites’ team member (someone who will promise to give you the REAL deal and no fluff). Earmark, share and add your own input to today’s question; it’s good karma.

When should I potty train?

Expert: Marsha Greenberg

There are several indicators for potty readiness including: going dry for at east two hours during the day, Showing increased interest in the toilet -asking to sit, flushing for you, handing you paper, becoming increasingly uncomfortable in diapers, and finding private places to void or move their bowels. Try to remember that each toddler has a different temperament and that will be a factor in toilet readiness as well. A child that has challenges with transitions or mood may take longer to show signs of readiness or mastery. A toddler’s responsibilities for learning to use the toilet are few but important to respect: she will decide when to use the toilet or a diaper, she needs to learn her own body signals, and finally she will need to go at her own pace.

Mom: Leslie Blaustein

Your child is the BEST guide to when you should potty train. I initially bought an entire array of potty training DVD’s, books, etc, but in the end never used any of them- no rewards either. Two months after Josh’s 2nd birthday he just decided as he peeled his Halloween costume off, I want to go in the potty! I was shocked. It becomes a control thing for them, and if they see others at school doing it, they want to do it too! Go with your child’s lead. You never saw a 15 year old in diapers! It will happen, if you don’t stress about it. When he did go successfully in the potty, we did a potty dance and sang: I did it! I did it! And at first I gave some sparkly stickers, then just the dance. I don’t think rewarding with candy etc is good. It sends the wrong message. P.S. Definitely bring a take along collapsible potty seat with you, with plastic inserts… you will need it often. Portable seat: Kalercom, Potette Plus

babybites’ team: Heather Ouida

I waited as long as possible for both of my sons (for both that meant potty training the summer before preschool started when they were required to be potty trained). By waiting, they both seemed more developmentally and emotionally ready and for both it took less than a week and was a relatively painless process. They were both really excited about starting preschool so by being able to say calmly and truthfully to them that, “Children who go to school use the potty” helped. Also, the day I started the training, I put them in “big boy” underpants right away. Pull-ups and “training pants” are so dang absorbent these days, I feel like children are often not even aware that they have had an accident.

About our team:

Marsha Greenberg M.S., M.S. W

Marsha is a therapist in New York City. She is the author of the newly released book, Raising Your Toddler, by Globe Pequot Press. She has masters degrees in Child and Family Development and Social Work from the University of Michigan. As the Director of the Health Systems Child Care Program for over 14 years, she was responsible for over 250 children between the ages of 6 weeks and 6 years of age. Marsha teaches in the Early Childhood Special Education department at NYU and has a private psychotherapy practice in NYC. Marsha is the mother of three grown sons and has three grandsons (aged 4 and 18 months and 4 months) with a new grandchild on the way.

Leslie Blaustein

Leslie is a tutor focusing on helping children develop a love for learning. She offers Tutoring/Remediation/ ERB Prep – for all academic subjects. Leslie brings a creative approach to reading, math, and writing! She has a masters in Early Childhood Education; Public and Private school experience; Children Preschool through Grade Six. Leslie is also a mom to Josh, 3 1/2.

Heather Ouida

Heather co-owns babybites with business partner Laura Deutsch. She is responsible for managing, growing and overseeing babybites nationally as well their flagship city of Manhattan. Heather’s favorite parts of her job include hosting “Mommybites Live” an educational talk show with parenting luminaries, writing her blog which varies between sappy, educational and downright snarky, interviewing parenting experts for babybites’ regular tele-class series and facilitating some of the Manhattan working moms support groups. Prior to co-founding babybites, Heather was a learning specialist where she taught in London for many years as well as at The Dalton School in Manhattan. Heather holds a BA in psychology from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, an MA in child development form Tufts University and acquired her learning specialist degree form York University in England. Heather currently resides in Manhattan her husband, two boys, two fish and pet turtle. Heather’s hobbies include, hot yoga, Nutella eating, writing, Bravo watching, reading and sharing inappropriate jokes with girl friends. To learn more about Heather’s mission to support follow-moms in non-judgmental ways please click here.