{"id":1260,"date":"2022-06-05T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-05T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/themomresource.com\/?p=1260"},"modified":"2023-04-15T01:40:16","modified_gmt":"2023-04-15T05:40:16","slug":"how-to-potty-train-a-2-year-old-a-step-by-step-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/themomresource.com\/how-to-potty-train-a-2-year-old-a-step-by-step-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Potty Train a 2-Year-Old: A Step-By-Step Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It can be a challenge to potty train a 2-year-old. They are usually past the diaper stage, but may not yet ready for complete independence. The good news is that with a little patience and some simple steps, you can successfully potty train your 2-year-old in no time! In this blog post, we will outline the step-by-step process of how to potty train a 2-year-old, as well as offer some helpful tips along the way. Let’s get started!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a few things to keep in mind when potty training a 2-year-old. First, be sure to praise your child for successes and provide encouragement. Second, make sure you have plenty of time set aside for potty training and that you are both motivated to see it through. Finally, establish some basic rules and expectations for your child. Explain why they should use the potty whenever they feel the need. With a little patience and perseverance, your 2-year-old should be successfully potty trained in no time!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re in the process of potty training your 2-year-old, but don’t know where to start, read on for some helpful guidance!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What To Expect When Potty Training A 2-Year-Old<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Potty training a 2-year-old can be a challenging process, but with a little patience and perseverance, it can be successfully accomplished. Here are some things to keep in mind as you get started: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Be prepared for accidents<\/strong>. Accidents are bound to happen during the potty-training process. Make sure you have plenty of absorbent diapers, or training pants on hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Be patient and positive. <\/strong>Praise your child for successes, give them encouragement when they struggle, and stay calm and relaxed no matter what.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Make sure you have plenty of time set aside for potty training. <\/strong>It can take a while for some kids to fully potty train, so be prepared to devote a few weeks, (or even months) to the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Make sure your child is motivated to potty train. <\/strong>Some kids may be eager to learn how to use the potty, while others may need a little more opposed. But, whatever your child’s personality or temperament is, be sure to stay positive and supportive throughout the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Establish some basic rules and expectation<\/strong>s for your child. Explain that they should use the potty whenever they feel the need, not just because you asked them to.  Help them understand the basics of potty training so they can be successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Potty Train a 2-Year-Old<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Getting Started<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most children are ready to start potty training between the ages of 18 months and 3 years. However, every child is different, so it’s important to watch for signs that your child is ready to start using the toilet. Common signs include expressing interest in the toilet, staying dry for longer periods of time, and demonstrating an awareness of when they need to go. If you’re unsure when to start potty training, be sure to refer to “When To Start Potty-Training a Toddler: Age Guidelines for Girls, Boys, and Late Starters<\/a>“, for some helpful information!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you think your child is ready to start potty training, create a positive association with the toilet by making it a fun place to be. You can do this by hanging pictures and stickers around the toilet area, or by reading their favorite books while they sit on the potty. Next, teach your child the basics of using the potty, such as how to sit down and stand up. You may also want to consider investing in a potty seat or step stool so they can reach the toilet easily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once your child is comfortable with the potty, it’s time to start working on a schedule. The best time is usually when your child has a lot of free time and is not too busy with school or other activities. You may also want to avoid potty training during times of stress, such as when you are moving or have a new baby in the house. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will want to dedicate a few days to a week, specifically toward potty training. Be sure to complete distracting tasks and responsibilities before getting started and dedicate as many days out of a week as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Process<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Now, that you\u2019ve assessed your toddler\u2019s readiness, introduced the potty, and established a schedule, start by having them sit on the potty after each meal and before naps or bedtime. You can also set a timer for every hour or so as a reminder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another great way to start, is to allow your toddler to go “bare-bottom” for the first few days without any pull-ups or underwear. This will help your child get used to the sensation of going potty, and will make it easier for them to understand when they have to go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your child has an accident, do not worry! Just calmly clean them up and remind them that they are using the potty now. Allow room mistakes and plenty of practice but stay near to your toddler and try to pay attention to signs that they have to go. Additionally, try to learn how often they typically have to go and how long they can go without needing to use the potty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once a routine has been established and your toddler begins to get the hang of it, take away diapers for good and introduce underwear. If you chose to have your toddler, go bare bottom the first couple of days, they may have caught on faster, but it will take time for your toddler to understand they still have to use the potty even when they are wearing underwear. Allow a couple of days for them to get used to the underwear, it may take anywhere from 1-5 days depending on how well they did the first few days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay consistent and continue to remind your toddler to use the potty, utilize award systems when they have success and offer tons of praise for every milestone. Remember to avoid punishments, as this could lead to potty training regressions and create a negative association. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After you’ve successfully potty trained your 2-year-old, they should be able to use the toilet independently most of the time. However, accidents may still happen from time to time, so be sure to stay patient and positive throughout the entire process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Potty training can seem daunting, but with enough patience and practice, you can have your 2-year-old potty trained in no time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Daily Step-by-Step Process of Potty Training<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here is a step-by-step process of how to potty train a 2-year-old or toddler. We followed this daily guide with our 2-year-old son and had huge success!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day One: Introducing the Potty<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

On day one, it is time to introduce your child to the potty. Read potty books, introduce a reward system and show them how to sit on it. Explain what it is for. If they are hesitant to sit on it, try placing a favorite toy on the potty to encourage them. Again, be prepared for accidents and have plenty of cleaning supplies close by.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day Two: Going Bare Bottom\/The Training Begins.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

One of the best ways to potty train a child is to start with going bare bottom. This means having your child go without any diapers or training pants for the first two days. This may seem like a daunting task, but it is actually a very effective way to potty train a child. During these first two days, you will need to keep a close eye on your child and be prepared to take them to the bathroom very often. If they have an accident, do not scold them; simply clean them up and continue on with the process. When they do go, praise them highly and give them a reward in the for of a sticker or treat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day Three: Bare Bottom\/The Training Continues<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Now that your child is familiar with the potty, continue the process by asking them if they have to go and having them sit on the potty every hour or so, even if they do not have to go. After 30 seconds to a minute if they haven\u2019t already gone, that\u2019s okay, just try again in 10 minutes. Be patient and consistent, gradually increase the amount of time between sits. Continue this until your child is able to tell you when they have to go. If they have any accidents, do not get discouraged; simply continue with the process. It\u2019s important to utilize high praise and avoid punishment!!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day Four: Moving on To Underwear<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

By day four, your child should be able to stay dry for a reasonable amount of time with little to no accidents. This is the perfect time to start moving on to underwear and pants. Choose a pair of underwear and pants that are easy to take on and off. Loose-fitted cotton underwear and elastic waistband pants are best. Have your child wear them around the house and continue the potty-training process just like days one and two. If they have an accident, simply change them into a dry pair of pants and continue on with the process. Note that you may experience more accidents as you toddler gets used to wearing underwear and understanding that they still have to use the potty now that they are no longer \u201cbare-bottom\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day Five: Going Out and About<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Now that your child is comfortable wearing pants, it is time to start taking them out and about. Begin by taking them to places where they are familiar with (the park, their friend’s house, etc.) and have them use the potty when they feel like they need to go. Start with short-distanced trips. If they have an accident, remain patient, simply clean them up and continue on with the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day Six: The Final Step<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

By day six, your child should be fully potty trained! Congratulations! be sure to celebrate your success with a special treat or outing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every child is different so, takes an extra day or as any as needed in each step before moving on to the next one. You may decide to follow this schedule exactly, or dedicate 2-3 days for each step, either way do what is best for your toddler. Furthermore, be sure to refer to the other tips and helpful resources in this post for optimal success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Potty Training Tips<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that you know how to potty train a 2-year-old, use this guideline to potty train children of various ages between 18 and 36 months. Furthermore, Here are 9 helpful tips to make the potty-training process smoother: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n