Potty
Training Girls
This
should be a pleasant experience that makes her proud of herself
Is
there a big difference in
potty training
girls than
boys? Many
people agree that girls potty train easier and earlier than
boys. While this may be generally true, individual
children will respond in different ways, regardless of gender.
Before you begin
potty
training girls,
you need to decide if she is ready. Once you've determined
that the time is right, you can then proceed with the training
process.
How do you know? Well, there are several signs you
can watch for. The average age that
toddlers begin to
potty train is typically around two and a half years old. Some
start as early as eighteen months, while others may not begin
until they've reached their third birthday.
Your little girl may be ready to begin using the potty if
she does at least one of the following:
She asks questions when
you use the potty.
She comes to you as soon
as she has soiled her diaper.
She is interested in
wearing pull-up diapers or even panties.
She can stay dry all
night long and for several hours during the day.
She is curious about
bodily functions and talks about what is going on
with her body.
If she is demonstrating at least a couple of these signs,
then she may be ready to begin potty training.
Easy Access Clothing
One reason that many parents feel potty training girls is
easier than boys is the type of clothing they can wear.
When
babies first
begin to potty train, time is of the essence. If they say
they have to go...they have to go! You might want to
clothe your little girl in cute dresses. You and she won't
have to struggle with pulling down shorts or pants, unzipping
zippers, and unbuttoning buttons. All she has to do is
lift her dress and pull her diaper down!
Seasonal Potty Training
If you do choose to put dresses on your baby girl, you
might also want to consider the season that you are beginning
the potty training sessions in. Summertime typically works
well. Little girls can run around without a lot of
cumbersome clothes on. When you are at home, you may want
to let your little girl wear only some pull-ups and a t-shirt.
Encourage Her Feminine Side
Little girls typically love pretty things, and clothes
are no exception. When your daughter is ready to begin
potty training, you and she can take a trip to the local
department store and search for the perfect panties. Let
your daughter pick out her favorites, and tell her that these
are what she can wear once she starts using the
potty. She
may love them so much that she doesn't want to have an accident
in them!
Demonstrate the Technique
The best way for your little girl to learn how to use the
potty is to watch you. Keep her potty beside the toilet in
the bathroom. Invite her to come into the bathroom with
you, and talk to her about what you are doing. She may
want to sit on her potty while you are on the toilet.
Praise her if she does. You might want to keep a few of
her favorite books in the bathroom for her to look at, too.
Once she has success using the potty, offer her plenty of
praise.
Potty Training Girls
Finally, it is important that you try not to pressure or
force your child to use the potty. This should be a pleasant
experience that makes her proud of herself. She should
want to use the potty for herself, not just to please you.
Consider what is going on in her life before you begin the
training process. Are there any major changes occurring?
Has she been sick, or has your family recently moved? Has
her daycare situation changed, or has there been a death in the
family? If this is a period of great change, wait until
things have settled down. With time and patience, your
little girl will be potty trained before you know it!