by Betty Jo Hawkins

Created on: May 26, 2009   Last Updated: June 09, 2009

I strongly believe that babies should not and can not be potty trained from birth. When babies are born they are not even able to hold up their own heads let alone begin to potty train. They spend much of their day eating, peeing, pooping and sleeping. Newborns need to be cuddled, fed, talked to, played with and kept clean. They need stimulation in order to thrive. Their organs are still developing and becoming stronger. They are developing motor skill and muscle strength. The bladder and bowel will naturally evacuate when it reaches its capacity.

I firmly believe that a child needs to be able to communicate before potty training. They also need to be able to remove their clothing. Summer time is the best time to begin potty training a toddler because they generally wear less clothing. In the beginning you should take them about every twenty to thirty minutes. They should wear regular underwear not pull ups. If they feel wet they wont like it and will began to start asking to go to the potty. Sure there will be accidents but not as many as you think. Use pull ups when out in public, at nap and night time. It is difficult for toddlers to wake up in the middle of the night to go to the restroom.

You must be committed to the training process and everyone else involved for the duration to be a speedy one. It should only take about 2 months and there will be some accidents. They generally happen if the clothing is difficult for them to remove or they wait till the last minute. When they do good make sure you reward them, it doesn't take much to make them happy. One M&M for pee and two M&M's for poop. Let them know you are so proud of them. Clap your hands and make a big deal of what they are doing. I began before the age of two just to introduce the potty process. Then after the age of two we went straight to the underwear when at home. My day care provider was a great support. without her on board the process would have taken longer.

Let your baby be a baby and learn the world around them. I strongly believe that babies can not begin potty training until after they have given up the bottle as well. They will eat more food if they take in less fluids. They will also pee less. Potty training needs to be fun for the toddler. If they are around other children they will be eager to go to the potty like they do. Don't stress it and do not push the child if they are not ready, just keep trying some children take longer than others.

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