Between the second and the fifth year, the process of regaining complete control over bladder and bowel processes lasts about 3 years. Before the age of 2, few kids can control themselves reliably, and after the age of 5, few kids have any issues besides the odd “accident.” The timing and order in which a particular child learns the various aspects of toilet training can vary greatly within this range. In typically developing children, serious disorders that postpone or impede the development of bladder or bowel control are uncommon; the majority of these issues go away over time with persistence. If you are worried about your child’s urinary or bowel control, consult the questionnaire above.
Toilet training
When teaching your kid to use the pot, there is no one right way to do it. The personality and developmental stage of your kid, as well as your family’s routine, will all play a major role. The most important thing for parents to keep in mind is to avoid using the pot as a source of argument or hostility. When your child is physically and psychologically prepared, he or she will learn to control their bladder and bowels. Your only responsibility is to create an environment that will make learning as comfortable and simple as possible. The pot-training instructions provided below will serve as a foundation. Apply your own discretion to adapt it to your child’s requirements.
- Introduction – When your kid is about 18 months old, purchase a pot. While you should explain its purpose, do not anticipate your kid using it right away. As frequently as possible, let your child go without diapers during the day. You can start to suggest (but never insist) that your kid use the bathroom once in a while once they have developed the ability to hold it in for several hours. Go to stage 2 once your kid has begun to occasionally use the pot.
- Becoming more assured – When your kid exhibits the need to urinate or defecate, continue to urge them to use the pot, but don’t get upset or angry if a mistake occurs. On the other hand, try not to be overly enthusiastic when complimenting your kid on a job well done. Diapers should be gradually phased out until you are only using them at night.
- Adult toilets and night-time control – You can start using the toilet once your child is comfortable using a pot. To give your kid a sense of security, purchase a special child seat that fits inside the toilet seat. Describe how using a toilet is similar to using a pot. Once your kid is comfortable using the toilet and the pot, switch between the two. During this period, keep an eye out for indications that your child is prepared to spend the night without a diaper. The most reliable sign are probably dry diapers on several mornings. When you decide to stop changing your child’s diaper at night, mentally get ready for the occasional wet bed that will unavoidably happen. Use a plastic under sheet if your child’s bed doesn’t have a waterproof mattress. When your kid does wet the bed, this will make you feel less worried. A few hours after going to bed, some kids can benefit from being raised onto a pot to keep them dry at night. It might not be worth the trouble, though, if your kid is disturbed by this and finds it difficult to fall back asleep. The majority of the time, bedwetting cannot be avoided by restricting fluid intake in the evening. Don’t force the issue of staying dry at night. When his or her bladder reaches the appropriate level of maturity, your kid will succeed. The process of gaining nighttime control will take longer if you make a child fearful or anxious about something over which they have no control. Keep the diaper on at night if the child feels comfortable wearing it.
Bed-wetting in a teenager
Many kids continue to occasionally wet their beds throughout childhood. Even though frequent bedwetting is rarely a reason for medical concern, it can be upsetting for both parents and children. Most kids get rid of this habit long before they reach puberty.
