Have you just changed your little one's nappy? Are you wondering, "When will he or she learn to use the toilet properly?" Don't worry, this is a familiar experience for every mother and father. Potty training a baby is a big step in their life. Some parents use Pull-Ups to make this journey easier. Let's take a closer look at this.
Simply put, what are these Pull-Ups?
Pull-ups are similar to diapers, except they don't have straps on either side like diapers. Instead, they have two sides with stretchy elastic. To be precise, pull-ups are a transitional piece between diapers and regular underwear.
The advantage of this is that the baby can pull it up and down like his underwear. So he can easily take it off when he needs to go to the toilet. Also, if he accidentally urinates , it will absorb like a diaper, so he won't make a mess at home.
When is the best time to start using Pull-Ups?
Pull-ups are a part of potty training. Usually, babies start potty training around the age of two or three . But this varies from baby to baby. So there is no rule that says "you have to start at this age."
Many child health experts say that it's better to switch to regular underwear right away , rather than using pull-ups for daytime toilet training. Because then the baby will feel wet when he urinates , and will quickly learn, "Oh... this is how I feel when I urinate ." Since pull-ups are absorbent like diapers, your baby may not notice the difference when they wear them during the day.
However, pull-ups are a great solution for nighttime . Did you know that even at the age of six, about 25% of boys and 15% of girls still wet the bed at night? It's normal. Holding in urine at night, or being able to wake up to go to the toilet when you need to, depends on the child's maturity and genetics.
So, wearing a pull-up at night can help prevent your baby from wetting the bed if he makes a mistake. You can focus on toilet training during the day first, and once those habits are well established, move on to nighttime training.
How do you know if your baby is ready for toilet training?
"Okay, is it time for my baby to start this?" you may be wondering. Not all babies are the same. Some are ready quickly, while others take a little longer. Here are some signs that your baby is ready.
| Ready sign | Simply meaning |
|---|---|
| Being able to follow simple instructions. | If you can understand and do small things like "bring the ball" and "put on your slippers." |
| Understanding words related to the toilet. | If you understand words like " urine ", "poop", and "toilet". |
| Understanding the relationship between the urge to urinate /stool and the toilet. | If you feel nervous before urinating , or if you say " urine, pee ". |
| Keeping the nappy dry for two hours or more. | This shows that his bladder can hold urine for a while. |
| Having the patience to sit on the toilet. | If you can stay in one place for a while without worrying. |
| Trying to lower their diaper or pants. | This is a sign of a desire to be free. |
| Preferring to sit on the toilet or wear underwear. | If you're watching someone go to the toilet, if they show interest like, "I want to go too." |
When is the best time to start toilet training?
There are times when it's not a good idea to start this process, because at that time, the baby is going through both mental and physical changes.
- If you are planning to travel in the near future.
- If there is a new baby coming to the family.
- If you are moving the baby from the crib to a bed.
- If you are moving house.
- If the baby is sick.
At a time like this, your baby's life is going through a big change, so trying something new can be stressful for him. So start after everything has settled down a bit.
How do I stop doing Pull-Ups?
Once you've successfully completed your daytime training, you can focus on your nighttime training.
1. Check the wetness of the nappy when you wake up at night: Check how wet the pull-up is when you wake up in the morning. If it remains dry, that's a good sign.
2. Limit fluids before bed: Reduce the amount of fluids you give your child, such as milk and water, a few hours before bed.
3. Go to the toilet before bed: Make this a mandatory habit.
4. Get used to going to the toilet as soon as you wake up in the morning: Encourage your baby to go to the toilet by removing the pull-up first thing in the morning.
5. Praise, don't blame: Praise your baby a lot for the day he wakes up dry in the morning. Say something like, "Wow... my son/daughter didn't pee last night, that's great!" Never scold or criticize him for a bad day. That will only make the baby more afraid.
Once your baby starts waking up dry in the morning, try switching to regular underwear instead of pull-ups. But remember, mistakes can happen from time to time. That's normal.
Most importantly: If your child is still wetting the bed at night after the age of six , talk to your pediatrician about it. There may be another cause. Your doctor can give you the necessary advice.
It usually takes about three to six months for a child to be fully toilet trained, so patience is very important.
Take-Home Message
- Pull-ups are a great way to help with the transition between nappies and underwear. They are more suitable for nighttime than daytime.
- There is no specific age to start toilet training. The most important thing is to understand whether the child is physically and mentally ready .
- Pay attention to signs that your child is ready (such as staying dry for 2 hours, following instructions).
- Never blame your child for a mistake. Instead, praise and encourage them when they succeed.
- If your child is still very reluctant to potty train at the age of four or continues to wet the bed at night after the age of six, consult your doctor for advice .
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