We often talk about children's growth and development here. We want to know how it all happens, some aspects that we should take into account and what kind of practices can be applied, always taking into account everyone's experience and context.
A baby's growth and development involves small but important steps. The introduction of new foods, the moment they say their first word, their first steps and so many other events. These milestones are a sign that time passes quickly, but it's special and unique to see our children evolve.
Something obvious and common in any next step that our little ones take is their parents' concern to be able to give them the support they need so that everything goes well and they feel comfortable, and the feeling that our little ones always want to share with their parents.
Well, in today's post we're going to look at another step that little ones are beginning to take and their parents are encouraging them to take. We've already realised that leaving an object or an action that you do on a daily basis is difficult and always requires a period of adaptation, just like any human being. This process can progress faster or slower, it can regress or there may be times when there is some kind of slowdown, which is why we need to realise what we can do to bring about some development.
These characteristics are also evident when we talk about leaving the nappy behind. According to our research, this practice is implemented little by little, with several attempts and with the concern that our little ones understand this transformation and start not needing to wear a nappy.
The age at which this nappy training begins is around the time your baby goes to nursery or between 12 and 36 months. Parents begin to worry that their little one will start using the potty and that the nappy will play an increasingly reduced role. Your little one will start to need to ask to go to the bathroom and take more control and responsibility.
However, there are always a number of important questions related to this training, which is done gradually and in small steps, so that children have the chance to experiment and realise if they feel comfortable.
Giving up nappies is another step towards independence and growth for the baby. For parents, there's no longer the burden of changing nappies and, not to mention, there's less cost savings in financial terms. For the baby, it's something new. For the outside world, there's always that pressure to learn quickly, almost the impossibility of regressing or because the baby's age doesn't allow them to wear nappies. These are opinions that cause parents some concern and doubts.
We too have some doubts about how it all works and how we can help children, like so many parents, and we wanted to understand what kind of questions you might have and the answers to them. We don't want parents to become obsessed, so here are some useful tips we've found.
The first is to ask if there is a specific age for the baby to get out of nappies. The answer is simple: there is no right age. Babies are ready physiologically, when they can control their sphincters (retention/expulsion) and when they are psychologically ready to stop being babies. It depends on each case. However, it's estimated that between 15 and 36 months they start to stop bedwetting, and around 28 months they start to be able to control it during the day.
The second question is about the signs that your child can give, which mean that they may be ready to use the potty. Don't worry, they'll be obvious. The ability to sit or stand up without help, being able to climb stairs on their own, being able to eat on their own and, above all, demonstrating that they are ready to take their independence to the next level. Other signs that indicate that they want this change include touching their dirty nappy or even taking an interest in the potty.
The third question is - will using the potty early jeopardise bathroom training? Probably. Putting pressure on the child to develop quickly and, in this case, to use the potty, will cause a delay in learning. So it's always important to bear in mind that it depends on whether the child is ready. Until they are, parents can gradually explain the importance of using the potty, how to use it and what the child is expected to do.
The fourth relates to putting the child on the potty with the help of creating regular intervals. This is a tip that can work. We know that children like routines, so why not implement certain potty times - when they wake up, before and after naps, before going to bed, and so on. We can also put the potty in the bathroom so that the child gets used to it. At first, we can even sit with them to reassure them that going to the bathroom is natural.
The fifth doubt has to do with whether or not we should leave the child on the potty until they do what is expected. As far as we can tell, making this action an obligation will increase the fear that the child may feel, because they won't live up to expectations, which will influence their self-confidence. If nothing happens when they go to the potty, we should calmly praise them for their attempt and show them that they can try again later.
The sixth question mentions some accidents that might occur during bathroom training. If our child gets their trousers dirty, we should reassure them of their ability to learn a new task, showing them that whenever they want to go to the toilet, they shouldn't wait until the last minute to ask.
The seventh question is this - if the child can't use the potty, can we suggest that they go to the bathroom like adults? As they say, it can be a step too far. Normally, this step is the last one, in which the adult accompanies the child to the bathroom, after the child has already used the potty.
We move on to the eighth question, which focuses on the possibility of regression. Children may have reactions in which there is a brief regression, such as returning to bedwetting. The arrival of a new baby, like other reasons, can influence this, but don't worry, with a little patience everything will return to normal.
The ninth and final question concerns whether the baby can control himself during the day and how long it will take for the same to happen at night. The answer to this question can differ greatly. It can take just a few days, a few weeks or a few months. Some children may already be able to control themselves at night and find it more difficult during the day. Well, the most important thing is not to pressure them and parents should adapt to their little one's rhythm.
With so many doubts on this subject, we realise that this transition can be quite challenging, both for the child and the parents. We believe it can be a big change for everyone. Our baby stops being a baby. They start to become an independent child.
It's in these moments that it's incredible to us parents how much time passes, because only a short time ago they were small and completely dependent on their parents. They grow up and what a treat it is to be able to accompany them and be in the front row to support them whenever necessary.
So the goal of today's post was to give you some tips for this process of changing the nappy for the potty and to make the pressure that you sometimes feel from the outside seem irrelevant. What's really crucial is the support we must give our little ones, letting them know calmly what we want to happen and doing it in a peaceful way. We believe that they will get there, at their own rhythm.
What about you? How was the whole nappy-to-potty transition process? Did you ever feel that your little one had difficulties or was there any frustration in the process? If so, how did you deal with it? What other tips or questions would you add to the list we've shared with you here? We want to know your experience. We want to know your opinion.
