Potty training Montessori way

Montessori Potty Toilet Learning

Using a potty is not necessarily a part of the Montessori approach to toilet learning. By using steps or other adaptions, it may work to make the toilet reachable. If you are interested in toilet learning the Montessori way I recommend Toilet Leaning and Toilet Comprehension - The Montessori Strategy. I also urge articles at Assistance to Life and Michael Olaf.


Toilet Learning - Our Journey in Summary It's likely this will be our last toilet learning place. Otis has slipped seamlessly (and without error) into night time toileting. We're at the end of our toilet learning journey. I 've a couple thoughts and propositions, in the event you are at the start of your journey. Absolutely every kid differs so we must be adaptive nevertheless your attitude and your approach are most important. It's not luck that Otis is toilet trained. We are extremely lucky he is healthy and that I am able to stay at home with him which helps. But what got him 'trained' was patience, perseverance and consistency. Our very first step in Otis toilet learning was to get him out of a nappy. Training pants were critical in this process. Otis toilet learned in measures and this is really a simple summary.
1. DAY: TRAINING TROUSERS (AT HOME) NAPPY (WHEN OUTSIDE) NIGHTTIME: NAPPY During the day at home training trousers were consistently worn by Otis. At night and when we left the house during the day he wore a nappy. While at home we offered him the potty and when he seemed like he needed to go (we recognised the hints - largely holding his trousers) we took him to the potty.
2. DAY: TRAINING PANTS NIGHTTIME: NAPPY We transitioned to Otis wearing training pants everywhere during the day. The training trousers he wore at this stage (from Michael Olaf but now discontinued) held so there were no puddles but Otis wanted tending to instantaneously. At this period he was wearing a nappy at night.
3. DAY: UNDERWEAR (AT HOME) TRAINING PANTS (WHEN OUT) NIGHTTIME: NAPPY We transitioned Otis to when we left the house, wearing training pants and simply wearing knickers at home. The training trousers gave us assurance that if Otis had an injury most of it'd be caught - no pools on the shop floor, but Otis and his clothes would be wet. Otis was wearing Under the Nile Infant Training Trousers (12-24 months). At this period he was wearing a nappy through the night. This was the longest span of a few months.
4. DAY: KNICKERS NIGHTTIME: NAPPY As Otis became routine and more assured at using the potty he transitioned to wearing knickers constantly during the day and wore a nappy at night.
5. DAY: PANTIES NIGHT: KNICKERS Otis became so confident going to the potty that at night he'd take off his nappy. He transitioned to wearing knickers all the time. He will occasionally make use of the potty at night but usually waits until morning. When he awakens in the morning he generally goes right to the potty. I attempt to limit his fluids before bed but he nurses before bed and during the night. In addition , I ask him to utilize the potty before bed but he's stubborn and usually refuses. We'd offer the potty when it appeared like he need to really go and before we left the house to Otis as I mentioned. Frequently when he awakens from his nap or returns from appearances he must go to the potty straight away.
It was important to us that we remained (as much as possible) emotionally detached from the process. It absolutely was significant to us not to praise or punish while I seemed pleased when we'd success. We also never forced Otis. I try to lead him to the potty, if he refused I'd leave him and usually he would wet his trousers and would take his hand if he looked like he needed to make use of the potty but refused to do so. Afterward he'd come to the potty to get changed/cleaned up with me. We never pushed him to use the potty, we never used harsh words, threatened or bribed. If he wet his trousers - he wet his pants, we just got on with it. We've got toddler seat and a step stool on our toilet which Otis has started using. He uses the potty and also the toilet standing and sitting. We've got a potty in the car which I offered to Otis before he was able to hold for an interval that is decent. On each excursion I'd offer him the potty when we arrived and before we departed. It was seldom used by him. Lately he has revealed that he can hold and frequently uses public toilets (school, sports stadiums, shops), although he likes to remove his underwear, pants/short, shoes and socks and I am going to hold him while he sits on the bathroom. You are going to understand we have had up and downs and I've found going and finding us out of routine particularly troublesome, in the event that you read through our Toilet Learning Posts. There's been mess and lots of cleaning up. But now we are done at 22 months, it is entirely worth it. If you're at the beginning or in the middle of bathroom learning, no matter which process you are using - I wish you the best. P.S. I have had some essential looks when Otis has had an accident in public. Regardless of the age of the child - old or young, please be kind to other parents.

When to start toileting

Between eighteen and twelve months is the sensitive period for starting toilet knowledge. It might begin sooner or later, depending on the little one. Look for signs of readiness: An interest in cycles (bib now goes in the hamper, hamper would go to the basement, in the device, etc. Child watches with interest as well as follows along).
Child is walking. Child touches her/his genitals are noticed by you. Child is beginning to have bowel movements at specific times of day. Sometimes a child shows none of those indications but will become interested when you begin to bring her awareness of toileting, so we still recommend starting before 18 months. For toileting success equip! To begin, buy as many as 30 pairs of thick underpants. We recommend Gerber training trousers which come 3 in a pack for about 5 dollars at Target (US). They can be the most absorbent and least expensive, but durable. For success, the leg holes the knickers loose that it may be pulled up and down without extraneous attempt on the kid's part as well as must be large enough. To get a young child between 18 and 12 months, Gerber training trousers, size two, is advocated. If she is big for her age, or as the child approaches 18 months, she will want size three. Put a piece of flannel that is rubberized in the car seat and buy several sheets of it for the bed. Make sure you have many pairs of pull-on trousers for the son or daughter, as he can have to alter frequently.
Have loads of bed sheets so you could alter them frequently.
Pull up fine rugs. Find "Nature's Miracle" at a pet shop, to promptly and effectively clean rugs or the floor when required. This product is safe for rugs that are fine removes not only the spot, but the scent, and may simply be left on the rug.
Set out a variety if needed, small potties, and support the child to sit to them, when she or he does commending. Our favorite is the quite small Baby Bjorn potty, costing about $10 in catalogues. There are just two sizes, both useful, instead of the toilet that is actual, helps the little one in two ways: he can be more independent and feel more protected; and he can more clearly see his results-waste in the potty-after. Put a potty in every bathroom having a little pail to the left and small basket of clean knickers on the right. A folded towel or bath mat underneath the three things creates a non-slip surface and a arranges look. When you begin toileting These first three points will be the most crucial, because they have to do with bringing on your child's focus to the element of our daily lives: Let her see you and other family members sitting on the toilet just as much as possible. At first, take your youngster to the toilet every half hour or so and motivate her to sit on it while you sit on the adult toilet ( just for a moment, as would be natural). Carrying this out helps your child to learn through the experience of utilizing the toilet, which works far better than asking your kid," Do you need to head to the restroom ?" Which generally gets a "No!" even when they do need to really go! It's extremely important that the child change into dry knickers immediately after wetting it. We want her to be utilized to the feeling of dryness, and also to respond immediately to wetness.
In the initial phases, your child could wear only her underwear from the waist down, so that using the potty and shifting is simple and does not take long. Time is key with getting bowel movements to the toilets! Should you observe that the child has a bowel movement round the exact same time each day, make it a routine time to go the bathroom and sit on the toilets. Watch him attentively and take him to the toilet instantly if he went in his underpants, to help you help him change, observe the BM go to the bathroom and flush it down if your child is unusual in his timing. Continue your attempt to get him to sit and "hang out" to the toilet when you think a bowel movement may be on its way - you may even read novels together to pass the time if that works. Continue to try and involve the little one in dressing and undressing. Show her that you're putting the urine to the bigger toilet and flushing in case the kid urinates in her toilet. Subsequently collaborate in redressing her, giving particular focus on helping her learn to put her panties that is dry on independently.
It helps in the first phases to really have a potty in whatever room he is playing in so it can be seen by him and get to it in time. He should only wear pants which are a cinch to pull up and down himself, and could possibly be nude or in panties in the waist down when practical in this phase.
Throw out all diapers when you begin this toiling period. You kid needs to be set up for success and sense our assurance that, eventually, he will have the ability to make use of the toilet every time. Many kids sleep too greatly to awaken and make use of the toilet till they're older. There are other methods to manage this, depending on the period, her age, and your kid you've reached in toileting. Confer with your kid's director. Through the initial phases of toilet training, bring a potty with you (to use at your destination) when you take your kid outside in the car. Place it in the toilet of your house you happen to be seeing, even supposing it's merely a brief stay. This helps set the routine of going to the restroom upon leaving the house and upon arriving at destinations. Upon returning generally, before leaving the house and when out and around, take your child to public toilets. We advocate making it a habit, and matter-of-factly saying, "We all sit on the toilet to get an instant before venturing out and upon coming home". (Only get them to sit for a minute - if they take back up or don't urinate, simply dismiss it and move on. Finally, they'll elect to utilize this chance.)
For plane rides or special events, we encourage you never to place your child back right into a diaper, but instead, set an Nikki diaper wrap over her panties. Made from waterproof fabric that is soft this diaper cover permits you to still check for wetness, so your training period isn't interrupted. This can be a nice " safety net" for you in certain public situations. Constantly keep a couple changes of pants and panties in the vehicle, so that you restart your shopping, then can come back to the auto for an instant change as soon as your kid is wet. For me the best guidance is how to handle toileting when far from home. Caspar grasped before he was two however I 'd him in nappies because I was fearful of creating a wreck when we were out toileting. Our lovely Montessori parent- toddler teacher gave me the push I needed and without her encouragement I'd have kept Caspar in nappies for much longer. This time with Otis I'll feel more confident leaving the house nappy-less and will undoubtedly use many of these suggestions. Truly I'm away now to order more loo learning trousers after which to set up another toileting space in my bathroom.

Bathroom learning - three periods

There is an excellent feeling you get when your child does the right thing at the perfect time. It makes you feel proud, makes you feel like a great parent. Then there are times when your kid messes, repeatedly makes blunders or does the wrong thing and you feel like a failure. Bathroom learning may be tough like that. Otis has injuries or generally makes messes but some days it is worse or more public than others. It was on my bed, last week it was three puddles at our parent-toddler class. Mostly I just get on with things, I don't make a fuss. He is getting it. Where are we at? Otis has been using the potty at home for a lot of months. At home he will generally go without trousers or have under-pants on. If we are about to go out, have only been someplace or have guests over, Otis will wear slacks/shorts. Remember it's summer here. At home he will generally make it to the potty however there is at least one injury a day, occasionally more.
Beware of the under-pant obsession. If it doesn't have a car on it - it won't be worn by Otis.
Emptying the potty is a huge deal. Otis takes great pride and care in wiping it clean, emptying it and taking the used potty to the toilet. Subsequently the entertaining of flushing the toilet just like a big boy. He's also super inquisitive about other family members using the toilet. I think most toddlers are like this, exploring what goes on around them. Toileting at home - Phase One whole! We're currently working on Phase Two - toileting away from house. Training pants are normally worn by Otis when we go out. The single time Otis wears a nappy is at nighttime. As Otis does not always makes it to the toilet while we're out the training trousers get most of the wreck. I 'll have Otis sit on the potty before we go out. Often he just gets up and walks away. I shall give him a drink of water while he sits on the potty, if I know he actually has to go. This really is the only way I have really been able to get him to use the potty on clue. There's something about having. It is working. I keep a potty in the car and I'll often ask him to make use of the potty while we're outside, if I still feel like he needs to go. He never has. This might not work for him. If we're at a friends house or at school I am going to take Otis to the toilet on arrival ( in case that it's been a while since he's been) or when he gives me the sign which he has to go (usually achieving/touching his trousers). So we've some success while we are outside but it is undoubtedly requiring consideration and work.
Phase Three is at nighttime. Otis wears a nappy at night but often he takes it off. On his bed he's the puddle pad under his sheet. During the day he will normally wake and require to visit the potty straight away. I believe night time toileting will occur soon and naturally as Otis starts taking his nappy and the use of the potty increases.
Toilet learning is a place where we haven't done it by the book. We have struggled at times and I am just explaining the way that it's working for us not how I'd recommend it to others. We're finding our way. If you're searching for ideas or recommendations just how to approach toilet learning here are a few of the top suggestions I've ever read. This summer we'll be travelling again but I'm not feeling uncertain. There is going to be times when Otis will desire help/a change of clothes but I am really feeling assured. The reddish turtle potty was picked up during our last travels and it's become Otis's favourite. It might be travelling with us. How are you going with toilet learning? I actually don't actually know of anyone at the same stage as us. Most children we understand have learned toileting at a younger age or the parents decided to wait until a subsequent age before they start. Folks are shocked because we've began so early or believe we have began late.

Toilet learning - two steps forwards, one step back

Thank you in the bottom of my heart of all of your kind opinions, hints, ideas, amusing stories and words of encouragement and heat regarding my post on travelling with a toilet learning toddler.
As I mentioned we weren't simply travelling, we were travelling last minute, I was travelling with the boys without my husband (consequently feeling extra vulnerable) and we were also grieving for member of the family who's no longer with us. Gosh, I'm having trouble holding the tears back now. So just how did we go?
We left home at about 4.30am. I consider this to be night so I kept Otis. But to the car we went direct from the airplane and I made the decision to keep a nappy on. Although he can utilize the potty at home he wouldn't suggest in time for us to stop the automobile. Until he was out of a nappy, it was well into the afternoon. During our stay Otis in was in a blend of panties training trousers and nappies. He seldom made it. Overall we did not make much improvement. Now we are home the nappies are gone again (except for nighttime). During our travels I learnt several things whom I need to remember. You don't have to be a great or even a good parent of the time. Uniformity is vital. Children need uniformity to act consistently. Children should understand (quite clearly) what's asked of these.
A flexible and comfortable strategy will keep you composed.. I am hoping my next toilet learning post is filled with success and high fives. It may be a while coming. But I am not putting pressure on myself or Otis. Now we are back to a routine that is common along with our own home environment we are able to continue toilet learning with that highly popular consistency.
Travelling with a toilet learning toddler - give strength to me. We all know the sensitive period for toilet learning is 12-18 months. Eek, Otis is now 17 months and although we've been doing well (by our standards) matters are still a bit hit and miss.
Otis wears underpants or training pants at home. Training trousers are normally worn by Otis when we are out from the house. For his night slumber he wears a nappy. He sometimes makes it. He knows when he must go. Sometimes he'll look at me and next thing and occasionally he will look in the potty we understand there's a puddle on the ground. But progress is being made by him and we're happy with where we are at. We received some terrible news last night. First thing tomorrow we'll be flying out to be with family. With all the craziness of suddenly packing and making arrangements I nearly gave myself permission to return to nappies full time. We have a flight longs drives ahead of us. Many hours will likely be spent in the houses of family. I'm scared while we're away, that Otis WOn't utilize the potty. That the planning, cleaning and washing will be a waste of time. But if we go back to nappies what message does that send to Otis? I know that the toilet learning toddle is nothing to be embarrassed by. But as we are toilet learning earlier than others it feels like we have a point to demonstrate (and that we shall fail miserably). My family are entirely realizing, I understand there's absolutely no shame in having a toddle not allow it to be to the potty. There is no shame in wet trousers. I understand I will be supported by my family and Otis.

DIY Wool Puddle Pad

What's a Puddle Pad?
A pad that functions much just like a mattress protector. It can also be used as to take care of your car seat or a change mat. Excellent for toilet learning as well as for ECers, leaky nappies, leaky babies toddlers.
Why now? During the day Otis will normally take a nap together with his toilet learning on pants. Some moisture is absorbed by the trousers but I do not need to risk a yucky mattress. Until I realised how simple it's to make one yourself I almost purchased a puddle pad.
Why wool?
I truly dislike the mattress protectors I've seen in our stores - tacky, artificial and crinkly. Cotton pads offer some protection but not as much as wool. I actually love wool plus it's:
Breathable, helps you to keep a comfortable body temperature Comfy
All natural anti-bacterial and anti fungal Simple to clean, with small flows a good airing is all that is needed odour repellent, just air often
How? Locate or thrift a 100% wool blanket, rather one that is certainly nice and soft. I came across this blanket. In the event you are setting the blanket under a pale or white sheet you may want a plain or neutral coloured blanket.
Felt the wool in a hot wash. I used the hot water setting and followed having a hot dry cycle.
Cut the blanket to size. So it might lie flat, I cut two pieces the same size for additional depth, I also ironed the blanket.
Sew the two pieces together. I utilized a simple stitch throughout the border simply to keep the bits together. It doesn't fray as the wool is felted. In case you don't sew you could simply use one layer or fold one layer in half.
Trim the edges to neaten up.
To lanolise?
I 'ven't lanolised. As Otis is sleeping with his trousers on I anticipate the puddle pad to just ever get moist not fully soaked. Additionally I suspect it would demand lots of lanolin which can be not cheap so I am giving it a go unlanolised. Fingers crossed!
I'll put the pad underneath the sheet it is kept by it . He does not go much in his sleep so hopefully I Have made it big enough. I have heaps of the felted blanket left, I'm thinking of cutting it into squares for cleaning or polishing??

Toilet Learning Pants

Along with shoes we also purchased these toilet learning trousers from Michael Olaf.
Although as it is possible to see they're bulky and absorb much like a nappy, neither Otis or I might even tell he was wet, Otis continues to be wearing training pants for a while like the reddish ones in this post. I used to be looking for pants that were;
Absorbent enough there isn't any pool but the kid still feels wet
Simple to determine the kid is wet
Slimline, not in any way bulky
Simple to get off and on, even to get an extremely young child
Generated from natural fibers
Cozy
These trousers are perfect for all of us. They have been generated from organic cotton and so far no pools. Not a wet bed. Although I actually don't purposefully have him sleep in them. I usually change him before bed, sometimes I don't get a chance.
When we are at home, Otis only wears them. When he is in training trousers I'm able to see when he's wet and have worked out a small pattern. Otis is also very alert to when he has to make use of the toilet (potty) but sometimes we do not make it in time. The pants also help with self confidence. We will go put on a dry pair no difficulty if the pants get wet.
Otis