Potty Tips

We are completely done with diapers now. We're not quite accident free, but they seem to only be happening in bed, early in the morning and about twice a week (on average). So, I thought I'd share some of the things that worked for us.

In the beginning, as with all major childhood transitions, you have to really commit as a parent. I tend to make the decision in the rational part of my brain, but then half-ass it because I'm not emotionally ready. At which point I realize I'm wasting my time and dig down deep and go for it. That being said they have to be ready or nothing you do will have an effect.

We knew Riley was ready so we proceeded to give her ample time naked. We put a froggy potty in the living room (where she spends most of the day) and got a Sesame Street seat for the big potty. We read the potty books and sat on the potty watching Sesame Street. A few days, about 3, followed where Riley peed on the floor like a puppy. Thank God for tile!

After the puppy stage ended she found the potty more often than not. We rewarded her with lots of praise, outside play time, stickers and sometimes even candy. Once she had home down we started attempting to leave the house. Even though we never left the house until Riley peed we always left in a pull-up in the beginning.

When you start venturing out it just easier to keep things under an hour and take them home to potty in between. After they're more confident you really need a travel potty. They fold right up and fit in the baby bag or your purse. Riley's is pink with Disney princesses. When you're putting them on unfamiliar public potties it helps to be able to discuss the pretty princesses (or whoever) on the travel potty. I also recommend putting a small/short book in your bag for getting them to stay put. I use If You Give A Pig A Pancake or If You Give A Mouse a Cookie.

Once Riley had a handle on going at home and while we were out we started working on overnight. We had her sleeping in Pull-ups for a while and they stayed dry so we got another potty for next to the bed. She added going potty to her bedtime routine and kept the bed dry for about a week before she started having accidents here and there.

We started getting up and helping her potty during the night which was working well except we stopped monitoring fluid intake during the night. Daddy was refilling the sippy in a sleepwalking state, a lot. As of tonight I'm strictly enforcing a one half full water cup a night rule.

Riley's been a real superstar. She spent the whole day with Grandma and used the potty at her house and Chic-fil-a with no accidents. Even though she came home and got to work "helping" Mommy with dishes she told me she needed help getting her pants down to go potty. That's our latest hurdle getting her to pull down her own pants. For some reason pulling them up is easier for her.

Go team no more diapers! Please share your tips, tricks and potty training stories.