Potty Training kids In 2 Days Before 2 Years Old:
First, I will tell you I have one extremely compliant, straightforward child and my second is quite the opposite. Both were easy to potty train in 2 days, and here’s why: When I noticed my boys taking an interest in potty training, both at 17 months, I took off work for one week to commit fully, and we didn’t leave the house for three days.
When potty training toddlers younger than 2, communication is a bit different. Generally, they aren’t speaking yet but understand what you are saying. However, their understanding is limited, and they don’t generally comprehend things like “we are almost home” or “someone else is using the potty. It will be just a few minutes”. Try not to go anywhere for the first few days and always have a potty available!
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Setting Up For Success To Potty Train Kids In 2 Days:
Kids do one thing very well: mimic! If you want to have a successful potty training time, allow them to be a part of anyone using the potty for a few months before it’s time for them to try.
Start reading books about potty training. Kids love to read or be read to. Use this time to get some intentional information to them.
Talk to them regularly about the potty. In the bathtub, “Oh, look at that! You’re going potty!” or changing their diaper, “You went _____ potty! Just like Mamma goes in the potty!” and “Can you flush the potty for me?”
Signs It’s Time To Potty Train:
Personally, I feel like there is a sweet spot when it comes to age. They have to be old enough to understand the feeling of urgency and also understand how to hold it to make it to the potty.
Generally speaking, around 18 months to 2yrs old, they are uncomfortable in the diaper and want to do what they observe the other family members doing. However, there is a point around 2-2.5, and they decide it is ok to go in the diaper again. This is harder for obvious reasons but not impossible!
-Watching in curiosity when family members use the bathroom.
-Mimicking getting toilet paper and trying to wipe over their clothes or diaper.
-Trying to pull the diaper off.
-Asking for their diaper to be changed if wet or dirty. I told mine that if he’s old enough to bring me a diaper and lay down on the floor, then he’s old enough to use the pot!
-noticing their own potty in the bathtub
Tools You Will Need:
I have boys, so I have a HUGE advantage of their handy God given tool that can be pointed if necessary. Depending on how you train (sitting or standing, we will talk about later), it’s a good idea to have this super cool folding portable seat for the diaper bag!
A potty seat so they don’t fall into the potty. (or a potty chair if you go that route)
Training undies thicker than underwear (I don’t recommend pull-ups, I’ll explain later)
Books they love.
Favorite toys.
Games or songs on a device.
Stickers or another reward (I don’t recommend candy I’ll explain why later).
Lots of patience.
Methods:
Here are a few methods of potty training. Whatever method you choose, make sure you stay flexible but consistent. That means using lots of praise and very minimal criticism. They have never done this. It is much like learning to walk. You would never scold them for falling, so don’t do it when potty training.
Potty Chair VS. The Adult Potty-
I am a big advocate for not training twice. We don’t use baby talk, potty chairs or training wheels. If I’m going to teach you to do something, it will be the correct way the first time.
Pull-Ups VS. Training Undies VS. No Undies-
I used thick training undies both times. This did two things: It allowed them to feel wet while keeping it contained, and it disassociated the idea of diapers. If they decide it’s ok to have a mishap because they have a diaper on, pretty soon, every occasion will become ok to do this. Another reason to stay home the first few days to avoid using a diaper or not being able to make it to the bathroom. This is confusing and sending mixed messages.
Lots Of Water To Drink VS. Average Amounts-
The first day, I gave my toddler lots of water to drink based on a recommendation. Don’t do this. There was no break from pottying for him to play or eat lunch. Nor for me to rest and help anyone else in our family. I felt like a tornado trying to be everywhere at once! His system was overloaded and uncomfortable. By the time he emptied his bladder, he had an urge to go again, confusing him and making it a daunting chore!
For Boys: Sitting VS. Standing-
Find what works for them. My second child screamed at sitting down, so we stood him up, and it solved the issue. We used a stool for them to stand. You can put cereal in the potty for them to aim at.
Reward System For Potty Training:
With my oldest, we used candy and noticed a considerable difference in his overall behavior. He was less compliant and a little wild, which was out of character for him. Finally, we realized it was the new sudden sugar intake! With our second child, washing hands and playing in the sink was the best reward in his mind, so we went with that! Use whatever they like: stickers, flushing, singing, and praise, etc.
In short: Don’t marry an idea. Be willing to change.
Important To Keep In Mind:
They might be scared to see potty happening. It’s an entirely foreign experience, like seeing blood come out.
Don’t expect poop in the potty. Neither of mine pooped in the potty during potty training. They were more comfortable in their beds at nap time. This is a private moment that can’t be forced.
Make it quick! They don’t like to stop playing at all, much less take 20 minutes for a bathroom break.
Ask continuously if they need to go potty with an excited voice. Keep it forefront in their brain.
Let them guide you but give choices like allowing them to pick a toy or play in the sink or flush the potty.
Use diapers for nap and bed. After the few days when you venture out, use diapers for errands also, but make sure you take them every hour or so while out. Plan your errands around it. We go when we arrive at the store and before we leave if needed.
Let’s Begin:
When the day comes, explain to them what you are doing and how exciting it is. Show them the potty and ask if they want to sit on it or flush it.
Next, take the diaper off and say “bye-bye!”. Throw it in the trash. I used training underwear. It is thick, absorbent, and washable. Put them on, and wait. Pretty soon, they will be wet. Get excited and say, “oh wow! You went potty!” take them to the toilet, take off their wet undies and sit them on the potty. Clap and say, great job. Put new undies on, flush the potty, wash hands and repeat.
After a few of these, they will start to notice mid-stream, hold in and ask for help. Scoop them up and run to the potty! Repeat the process. Remember to give lots of praise!
Tip: if they never make it to this step, they aren’t ready to train. I tried my second son at 15 months, but he never recognized he was wet and disregarded pottying altogether.
Soon, they will be able to tell you BEFORE they start going! This is exciting progress! If this doesn’t happen on day 2 or 3, reevaluate given your specific circumstances.
Additionally, if this is upsetting your child or too much pressure on them, wait! It needs to be fun and much like a game of racing their potty to the toilet!
Things I Didn’t Expect Potty Training Kids Before 2 Years Old:
There are no bathrooms in 2 yr old and under daycare or church nurseries. I didn’t realize this the first go around. This means the teacher has to leave the other students to take your child to the bathroom in the hallway. Ensure the teacher understands this to quickly call someone to the class and take your child or relieve the teacher to leave.
It’s tough to find small underwear. I have had to order it each time. The smallest I have been able to find is 2T. Generally, this works, but their little bodies are so small the undies are sometimes too large. Here is a contact for custom sizes if needed.
I also didn’t expect the teacher not to take me seriously when I told them my son is potty trained at 17 months. I felt disregarded and had to pick him up after several clothes changes because they failed to accommodate.
In Summary:
Know your child’s limits as well as your own. If you are both ready then go for it! If you cant fully commit to them and potty training kids in 2 days then wait until you can plan accordingly. I hope this helped!