Our children grow faster than we think, and suddenly it is time to remove the diaper. Some do it easily and quickly, as if it were a natural process for them, for others it is a tough task, such as losing something that was theirs. Below we offer you all the information you may need for your child to overcome this stage of life successfully and without trauma..
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Before thinking about removing the diaper from your child, you should know that experts recommend that the diaper not be removed before the age of two, as the child is not ready yet. So you have to be patient and wait for the right age, otherwise you will get frustrated for no reason and may create trauma to the child..
As we just discussed, the most widespread idea is that the appropriate age to remove a child's diaper is around 2 years.
However, each person is different, and just as they learn to walk at different times, the ideal age to learn to pee and poop on the urinal or toilet can vary greatly..
To know if our child is ready to take the step, we must first observe the child's ability to control the toilet. Take, for example, if he complains when the diaper is dirty or uncomfortable in any way. Some children hide in a corner of the house and sit when they want to poop, showing that they are aware of their needs and are ready to remove the diaper..
Other signs to watch out for are:
And remember, if you think your child is not ready, resist pressure from family and school, or otherwise your attempt will turn into a nightmare and what they do not recommend is, once the process has started, go back.
In the first place, begin by removing the diaper only during the day, in a calm period of the child's life, avoid moments or circumstances where there may be big changes (such as a move, etc.).
Choose a warm season to start the process, as it is very likely that you will have involuntary “leaks” at first..
In this sense it is not very complicated: fix a bathroom with a toilet adapter (a kind of ring that prevents the child from "falling" into the hole in the toilet bowl).
Many times it is better to start with the potty, in this way the child can have his feet flat on the floor and it will be easier for him to force himself when he has to poop.
Dress the child in light clothing to make it easier for him to fend for himself. Explain that he should tell you when he wants to go to the bathroom so that you can be present.
For starters, get your child in the habit of sitting on the toilet or potty once a day, even if they don't feel like peeing or pooping. Pick a time when you usually relieve yourself, for example after breakfast, after lunch, or before bathing.
If he doesn't want to sit down, don't force him. Never force a child to sit on the potty or toilet. Also, do not impose the situation if your child is afraid. The consequences in the future can be worse, such as constipation.
If the child is reluctant to be interested in removing the diaper, it is best to forget about it for a few weeks, and later try again. At this stage you don't even have to explain too much about how the bathroom is used. The goal is just to get used to the object.
After the previous phase, your goal will be to convince him to remain seated without the diaper. Don't push him too hard and let him sit once in a while, like a game, to see how it goes.
You can also start to explain what mom and dad do every day: they sit on the toilet and relieve themselves..
If your child quickly picks up on the idea and starts to do something, great! But if he doesn't, don't worry. It is important that the interest in the process comes from him and not from you.
A good idea is to show the child where we want him to relieve himself from now on. When the diaper poops, if it is not very soft and you can, take the dirty diaper, throw the stool in the toilet.
Next, give your child the privilege of helping to press the shock button (only if he wants to, there are children who are afraid of noise.
Also teach him that after doing this you need to wash your hands..
You can buy panties and briefs with drawings of characters that you like, with fun colors and shapes. Show your child the new clothes that you have bought as if it were a gift, add how big it is and the importance of wearing underwear like the grown-ups from now on.
But you don't need to wear nice underwear all the time. You can also have a section of simpler or old underwear for daily and for replacement, since accidents are inevitable and frequent changes.
There are also those who use pull-up diapers (that go up and down). The advantage is that they work like normal diapers, but they can be used as underwear, so they offer the child the possibility of being able to lower and raise it only if they want to go to the bathroom. It is also much easier than opening and closing the diaper. The downside is that they are more expensive. Anyway, it is an alternative is to take into account when we are going to go out and you cannot afford a getaway to pee or poop.
Accidents during this process happen to almost all children. Sometimes it is difficult to remain calm, as there is no longer restraint and the child can urinate or defecate anywhere; in the dining room, the kitchen, the sofa, the street, at the house of a friend or relative ... but we must make an effort not to lose control.
It is not worth punishing the child for the escape. Your muscles are still learning and training in stool and urine control, and the process takes some time.
When the accident happens, act calm and simply tell your child that next time it is better for him to use the potty.
When we see that the process of removing the diaper during the day has been successful and your child controls the toilet properly, we can consider the next step: remove the diapers at night.
In the first place, we should not be alarmed if it takes more time to achieve this process, since this second stage is usually more expensive. The diaper at night may be necessary in some children up to 4 or 5 years old, even more. Remember that we must do it when the child is ready, never before. Sometimes it takes a long time for your body to be able to wake up when you need to urinate at night.
We can start by reducing our water intake during the hours closest to night. It is important that every day, before putting him to bed, we make him go to the bathroom to urinate. We can also tell you to call us if you need to go to the bathroom at night.
It is advisable to start removing the diaper at night when the little one has gotten up with a dry diaper for several nights in a row, not before.
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