As your baby moves from crawler to toddler they start to experience the joy of independence. This is independence can be harnessed in many learning experiences including potty training.

You have a choice. You can make potty and toilet training a smooth transition or you can turn it into a battle royale. If it becomes a battle, your efforts at potty training will not become frustrating, the process will become very drawn out.

When Should My Toddler Start

To prevent the battle royale, you need to be able to identify when your toddler is ready to start. There is no golden rule for toddlers. Some start before the age of two, others seem to take forever.

Your toddler may well send signals that they are ready to start their potty training. Some of these signs include:

• Staying dry for an extended period (two or more hours)
• Commenting on the fact that they are wet or dirty (nothing like discomfort to get things started)
• Telling you before they start - particularly with bowel movements
• Asking - believe it or not some toddlers ask for the potty

My Toddler Is Not Showing Any Of These Signals

If your toddler is over four then you may have a problem and should visit a doctor. Otherwise, be patient. There is no right or wrong age to start potty training.

Preparing Your Toddler

Toddlers love to be copycats and sometimes the best place to start your preparation is with your own toileting. Boys in particular find it very easy to copy their dads.

Starting early is the key and when I say early, I mean right from birth. The whole act needs to be seen as a natural every day event. Your toddler is also able to see that there is a routine in place. You use the toilet, flush and then wash hands. It is very easy to train a toddler when they have been able to see the process a million times.

Summer is a great time to start as you can place the child in underwear while they are outside. Your child will soon recognise the signs that a wet leg is about to occur. They will often come running when they get that feeling to urinate.

Getting Started With Toddler Potty Training

If your toddler start to show signs that they are ready, introduce the concept of the potty. Bath time can be a good place to start. Place your toddler on the potty while the bath is being run (running water acts as a good stimulus).

Don't expect to much excitement to start with. More than anything you need to get your toddler to feel comfortable sitting on the potty. Over time, they will start, often with a little dribble and an oh-oh. This is the time to step in and praise them and let them know they have done the right thing.

Never be critical if the potty remains dry - after all, their little bladder may well empty. Being critical introduces a feeling of aprehension which can have the effect of preventing the bladder from emptying. If the child feels pressure the whole training program could be put in jeapody. Keep it all relaxed and fun.

Reward charts can be a good way to encourage potty use however, nothing beats good old fashioned praise right there and then. When a child sees that you are pleased you can see their eyes light up and they quickly share the joy.

How Often Should My Toddler Use The Potty?

When you first start your toddler's potty training it is a good idea to place them on the potty every two hours. Over a period of time you can vary this dependent on the toddlers needs. Fluid intake can also play a part in how often they need to urinate.

Your toddler will soon start to pre-empt the issue by asking for the potty. This is when you know the battle is almost over. The next phase is to move from potty to toilet. Wait for your toddler to show interest in the toilet before making the transition.

Potty's come in many shapes and sizes. Some are very simple whilst others look more like camping toilets complete with their own toilet paper holders. It can be a good ideal to take your toddler shopping with you when you want to select a potty. If they are part of the buying process they will feel more 'ownership' of their special toilet.

Don't be too frustrated with little accidents. They will happen less frequently over time. Night time accidents will be much more prevelent and can re-occur throughout their childhood. Patience is the best is always the best policy.

Moving your toddler to effective use of the potty is one of the most important stages in a child's development. Together with walking and learning to feed themselves, these are part of your child's first real steps into independence. The progress needs to natural and not forced so that it becomes a normal part of their daily routine.

Placing too much pressure on toilet training has be known to cause a variety psychological issues that your toddler may take with them through to adulthood. Keep it natural and let your toddler lead the way. Always great advice for moms.