Between 18 months and three years of age, a new milestone in the development of boys and girls arrives: leaving the diaper behind. This happens thanks to the maturation of their brain nerve centers, which will allow them to express their desire to go to the bathroom. Now they will be more attentive to their body’s signals and will begin to be able to tell when they need to pee or poop.
“Each girl has her rhythm since the sphincter control is a physiological process. Around the age of two, many little ones begin to show some interest in using the bathroom and wearing underwear instead of a diaper”, says Carla Pérez Martínez, Ph.D. in Perinatal Psychology, Founder of Psychology with babies.
To reach this point, the coordination of several muscles is needed, as well as signals from the brain to be able to control the output of pee or poop, “It is not, as we used to think, a skill that must be trained, but a process that needs to be accompanied,” emphasizes the specialist.
Therefore, the commitment of moms and dads is to accompany them in this process and support them with tools that facilitate sphincter control. They do not need training; each child will set the pace that the maturity of his body allows.
Some signs that indicate the little one is ready to leave the diaper behind are:
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If you are living this critical stage in the life of your children at home, you can help in different ways, as Dr. Pérez Martínez suggests:
Each boy and girl has their rhythm when it comes to leaving the diaper behind, do not pressure them or want it to happen at your time! A safe and supportive environment will make toilet training a calm and memorable process.
As your little one gains control of his sphincters, there will be accidents, like not getting to the bathroom on time or getting his clothes wet. Let them go, don’t get angry or scold him; this is part of learning about how his body works, “In the case of an accident, act naturally, don’t play down or give it too much importance. Clean up together and remind him he can tell you or go straight to the potty when he feels like it again”, recommends the expert in the emotional development of babies.
If he is going through an important event, such as the birth of a sibling, a room change, a separation or divorce, just starting daycare, or having a new caregiver, for example, do not pressure him. It is preferable not to introduce more than one change at a time.
Finally, demanding, comparing, or ridiculing to get out of the diaper are negative strategies that will only make the child feel insecure and distressed.
The toilet training process must be respectful of the children and the maturity of their
bodies.
We also leave you some songs that will help make the process more fun.
Translated by: Ligia M. Oliver Manrique de Lara
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