Potty Training Problems in Girls

Potty training children takes patience and persistence. Once you've taught your child to use the bathroom instead of diapers, it will be worth the effort. Your daughter needs to be ready to be potty trained, which requires motivation, physical development and emotional development.

Girls Before Boys

Many girls are ready to potty train before boys, so you can usually start earlier with your daughter than you would with your son. However, you should make sure not to start until your child is actually ready. Also, it's usually easier to potty train girls than boys, but that doesn't mean problems won't arise.

How will you know that your daughter is ready to be potty trained? Your daughter should be able to walk steadily, has well-formed bowel movements, doesn't go to the bathroom for a few hours at a time and can urinate a good amount at one time. Also, she might show you signs by pulling her pants up and down, doesn't like wearing her dirty diaper and points it out to you, can sit still for at least two minutes at one time and enjoys praise for accomplishing tasks.

Right Timing

If your daughter is having trouble potty training, it might not be the right time. If she is just starting preschool or has a brand-new sibling, potty training might be too overwhelming for her. If big changes are already happening, wait until her routine becomes normal again. She'll be more receptive to potty training.

Right Equipment

Another reason your daughter may have trouble potty training is if you don't have the right equipment. Many girls are scared about falling in the adult toilet and may have anxiety about trying to use it. Therefore, many toddlers need a toddler-size potty to feel comfortable.

Bladder Infections

Some little girls get bladder infections while they're potty training. This isn't common but happens more often in girls than boys. If your daughter needs to urinate frequently, starts wetting her pants or complains about her stomach hurting, consult your doctor.

Learning to Wipe

Little girls have to learn how to wipe themselves properly and need to be taught to wipe from the front to the back to avoid the risk of infection. This is especially important when she has a bowel movement.

Reward

If your child likes to please you, praise her when she uses the potty. If she has an accident, don't make a big deal out of it. Help her get changed, and tell her it's okay to have accidents. Don't make her feel bad about it, because it may cause anxiety.

If your daughter is having a lot of problems potty training, try offering rewards that she responds to. Give her a sticker each time she uses the bathroom. Take her shopping for big-girl underpants so she feels special.

Making potty time fun also encourages girls who are having trouble. Get her a book written for toddler girls who are potty training, and read it while she is trying to go on her toddler potty. Make her more comfortable by making the area where she's going potty more enjoyable.

References

• BabyCenter: Potty Training Readiness Checklist
• Pull-Ups: The "He Said, She Said" on Potty Training