How to wean your child off diapers

Almost all parents believe that diapers are one of the most popular inventions. Thanks to them, young mothers no longer wash stacks of wet diapers and can safely go out for a walk with their baby, without fear that he will go to the toilet at the most inopportune moment. But, sooner or later, you have to potty train your baby and give up such a convenient thing as a diaper. At what age should one begin such an important process? How to implement this? Let's talk about this in more detail.

What time should a child be weaned off diapers?

Parents must choose the appropriate time for themselves. There are no specific recommendations from doctors when “it’s high time” or “it’s too early.” It all depends on the physiological characteristics of the child.

Many parents begin introducing their children to the potty at 4-6 months. But there is no logic in such actions. Kids do not understand the cause-and-effect relationship between the urge and the toilet. Therefore, it is important to stop using diapers only when the child is ready for it. In this case, it will take less time for the entire process of getting used to the potty, and the nervous system of neither the parents nor the child will be affected.

The first signs of a child’s readiness to give up diapers include the following:

• the diaper remains dry for 1-2 hours;
• the baby puts on and takes off clothes himself;
• the child goes to the toilet at a certain time, for example, after eating or sleeping;
• the baby begins to be capricious when he wants to go to the toilet;
• According to psychologists, the ability to show body parts is also one of the signs of a child’s readiness for drastic changes in his life - getting used to the potty.

According to statistics, at the age of 1.5 years, a child may be ready to control his physiological urges. But, nevertheless, parents must make a decision based on personal observations.

How to wean your child off diapers

Unfortunately, there is no single and correct technology. But, taking into account personal experience, young parents identified 4 of the most effective methods:

• "The 10 tights method." The essence of the method is that parents need to prepare a lot of clean tights and panties, then inform the child that he is already an adult and can independently ask to go to the potty. Of course, there will be quite a lot of “punctures”, but parents should not immediately take off wet clothes. The child should feel discomfort from peeing. After a couple of minutes, the baby needs to be told again that he can ask to go to the potty when he wants to go to the toilet. Having been patient, in a week or two, or even earlier, the child will understand that the potty is an alternative to diapers;  reusable diapers or training panties. This method is ideal for those who do not want to constantly wipe up their child’s wet puddles. Diapers and panties absorb moisture, but the child feels discomfort. Of course, you will also have to wash them several times, and you need to buy at least 5 panties and diapers, but the effectiveness of this method has been proven by many parents.

• Training in the form of a game. To implement this method, you need 2 pots at once. The first child uses it for its intended purpose, and the second is intended for the baby’s favorite toy. That is, during potty training, the child should be interested in playing with his favorite teddy bear or any other toy. The baby must understand that his friend also needs to be put on the potty, and so that he does not get bored, it is better to do this together. Oddly enough, training in the form of a game allows you to achieve the first results already on the first day.

• Personal example. This method is based on toilet training. All family members should go to the toilet to relieve themselves. And the child should not be an exception. Since children always copy their elders, they easily get used to new changes, especially since they strive to quickly become adults and independent.

When potty training your child, you need to make sure that changes do not provoke stressful situations. Whatever one may say, the baby’s nervous system is too unstable. Sometimes it’s better to wait 1-2 months than to spoil the nerves of both the child and the parents.