Time to Ditch the Diapers!
No more buying diapers and wipes, no more lugging around a diaper bag, no more hunting for changing tables! Successfully potty training your child is a rewarding milestone for both parent and child—but what's the best approach? We've asked expert moms to chime in with their best potty training tips and—just like the diapers you'll soon ditch—one size does not fit all!
Wait
"Wait until they are three years old. It goes so much faster and there are less accidents. I've heard it said you can't force a child to eat, sleep or poop. Best not to make it a battle."
- Brandy Wiegel
Don't Wait
"Start when they're six weeks. Baby goes on the potty (we start with the Baby Bjorn Little Potty) pretty much every time we change a diaper. And as soon as he/she wakes up from a nap or bed. We aren't strict. There are no negative consequences when the baby uses the diaper."
- Aubrey Turley
Special Undies
"Underwear—because when it's wet, it's uncomfortable. I like to take mine to the store to pick out underwear with a favorite character to help them get excited. Then major positive reinforcement, getting very excited when they are successful. I don't make a big deal about accidents, just, 'Let's try to go on the potty next time.'"
- Avily Jerome
No Undies
"Well, I let them run around the house naked, and it helped them make the connection between 'I'm peeing,' and, 'I'm making a mess.' Sometimes when kids are wearing diapers or pull-ups they don't notice or care that they're peeing and pooping. Yes, I had to clean up messes, but it really helped solidify the connection."
- Monica Beyer
Rewards
"Rewards for each successful attempt, sticker charts, some kind of small candy (one M&M, Skittle, blueberry, etc.) went a long way."
- Vera Hopper
Let Them Initiate
"I have 4 kids; the 3 boys all initiated going on a regular toilet around 21 months old. I never talked about it. It was entirely their idea. They took off their diapers and went and climbed up on the toilet and peed. But that was my cue that they were ready and I gave them support by letting them go naked at home and carrying a plastic potty with us to parks."
- Kaitlin Roberson
Turn on the Sink
"Sometimes if they had not went for a while and I knew they had to soon, I'd turn on the sink for a few seconds and sometimes the water noise helped. Singing songs, too—yes, silly poop songs."
- Heidi Ethetton
Delegate
"I take them to my mom. No, really, she's potty trained my kid and all my brother's kids. Plus, she had three of her own."
- Nic Stevens
