How to Potty Train Girls
Children learn through imitating adults, which is useful when potty train girls. According to Dr. Sears, girls easily imitate their mothers for toilet training. Observing older sisters also help teach girls to use the potty. However, be sure your daughter is ready to start her training. It is a complex process of learning and muscle control rather than a skill needed by a certain age. If your girl is giving the signs that she wants to use the potty, help her learn without pressuring her.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Purchase a child-sized potty with your girl when she starts to show interest in the grown-up toilet. A potty with a removable seat that can be placed on a regular toilet with a step stool works the best. Some children prefer the grown up toilet while others like the child-sized potty. Choose a potty with your daughter so she feels part of the process.
-
2
Provide markers and stickers to decorate the potty. Girls will feel more comfortable with the potty if it is theirs. Let your daughter decorate her potty around the outside area. Be sure to use decorations that will not be ruined from cleaning.
-
-
3
Show your daughter how Mom uses the toilet. Show her how Mom wears underwear and how she uses the toilet paper to wipe. Ask her to help Mom flush the toilet. Girls learn through imitating their mothers and walking her step-by-step through the process will help with training.
-
4
Ask your girl when she wakes up if she wants to use the potty. First thing in the morning is a good time for girls to try using the potty because after a night's sleep they should have a full bladder. Ask your girl after nap time and before or after a bath. Do not be discouraged if she says no, but continue to ask her.
-
5
Reward your girl when she uses the potty successfully with praise like a hug and a cheer. Stickers or other small rewards may also be given. Use caution when giving candy rewards for potty training. Some children will use it as a bribe rather than a reward. Consider candy or toy rewards if you have been training for a while and she starts to lose interest.
-
6
Read a potty book to your daughter. Books like "Time to Pee" and "Everyone Poops" assures girls that using the toilet is natural and normal. "Time to Pee" depicts girls sitting down to pee, while "Everyone Poops" contains pictures of different animals pooping because they eat food. Read the potty book while she is using the potty and whenever she wants to read it.
-
7
Choose panties with your daughter at the store. Let her pick her favorite ones. Let her wear them after her morning pee to start, when you know they won't get soiled straight away. Dress her in them sometimes in the beginning of training. For some children it is discouraging if they have accidents in their panties. Still continue to use diapers until your girl can handle wearing panties all day. Consider switching to pull-up diaper so your girl can pull them off more easily.
-
8
Sing a potty song when your girl is using it. Make a song up with a tune your daughter already knows. Put her name in the song. It makes using the potty fun. When she is successful, do the potty dance to celebrate. Let your girl understand that you are proud of her accomplishments.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Do not be discouraged if your daughter's interest in the potty changes. It is completely normal.
Set aside time to potty train but use your girl as a guide. It is best not to rush her.
Potty train during quiet period of your life. Potty training when you are stressed out does not work well.
Be prepared for lots of cleaning during potty training. Accidents happen and you will be wiping up during the training period.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit BananaStock/BananaStock/Getty Images
