| Once your little girl is showing some signs that she is | | | | wetness a little too well-if your child isn't fully able to tell |
| ready for potty training, you can begin to introduce the | | | | when she is wet, or doesn't feel slightly uncomfortable |
| idea of using the potty like a "big kid". Readiness signs | | | | in a soiled pull-up, it could delay potty training. If you |
| include being physically able to climb onto the potty, a | | | | switch to cloth training pants specifically designed for |
| period of "dryness" between diaper changes, and | | | | potty training during the day, you could speed the |
| awareness and dislike of a wet or soiled diaper. | | | | process along. Your little girl will also be excited to |
| Start with some potty propaganda-stock your child's | | | | wear "big girl" pants-and accidents will be very evident. |
| bookshelf with books about potty training. There are | | | | You may want to keep pull-ups on hand for outings, |
| books specifically written about using the big kid potty, | | | | and to use overnight, but stick to cloth during the |
| and books that simply feature the potty as a | | | | daytime at home. |
| character or idea. You can also look for potty themed | | | | Make the potty part of your child's daily routine. Have |
| DVD episodes featuring some favorite characters. | | | | her sit on the potty for a few minutes when she gets |
| Disney's Bear in the Big Blue House and Sesame | | | | up, after meals, and any time she has been "dry" for a |
| Street's Elmo appear in special potty training episodes, | | | | few hours. Making the potty a regular part of her day |
| available on DVD. | | | | will get her accustomed to the routine, and prompt her |
| Make a big deal about the potty......without making a big | | | | to go at the right time. Praise her when she uses the |
| deal about potty training. Bring your child along when | | | | potty, or even when she tries to go. |
| you head to the store to purchase a potty. If there are | | | | Don't make a big deal about accidents, just keep |
| several choices available, let her choose the one she | | | | offering the potty, and be patient! Make sure you allow |
| wants, and present it like a gift. Your child will likely be | | | | plenty of time for training. If she seems unready, put |
| excited about her new potty if she gets to choose it | | | | the potty away for awhile and try again in a few |
| herself. | | | | weeks. Your potty training could come to a screeching |
| Switch to cloth training pants during the day. | | | | halt if you try to push her into training before she is |
| Disposable pull-ups are very convenient, but may not | | | | ready. Some kids "get it" faster than others, but she will |
| be all that helpful for potty training. Pull-ups absorb | | | | be potty trained eventually! |