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We are pleased to share our first blog as part of Bloom Online! 

Wow! Your little one is not so little anymore! 

Toilet training is an exciting yet challenging milestone for both mom and child. The Thrive Method in Toilet Training will outline an effective way of going about toilet training in a way that is the least stressful for everyone involved. 

So just make sure you have your mop, soaps, and gloves handy and let’s get right in!

Daytime Toilet Training

For a start, we always recommend beginning with daytime toilet training when your child is ready, whereas night-time toilet training generally should not be attempted before age 3.

Start by removing all diapers, pull-ups, etc. during the day, and replace them with underwear that is not particularly absorbent. It is preferable that the “accident” not be contained within the garment.

It is important to understand that ‘accidents’ are actually the most valuable lesson in this process because it teaches your child about how his body works. So when the accident leaks on the floor, it makes it easier for your child to really “experience” it.

Since our goal in toilet training is to teach a child to get in tune with his body, don’t ask your child if he has to go or take him to the toilet unless:

• It is before an outing.
• He is visibly “dancing” or holding back.

And when the accidents happen…

• Stay calm and neutral throughout the process
• Be positive about bowels and urine. Stay away from any negativity about the smell or looks of urine or excrement. Try to keep this in mind in general with children of all ages, starting from birth.
• Don’t panic, yell, scream, punish, deprive, take away privileges, insult, or complain as a result of the accident. Would you do that to someone who was vomiting…? This applies to not only your child, but also to your partner or other family members or friends. 
• View the accident as a positive learning experience. Remember, there will be only a finite number of accidents until the lesson is learned.

Then…

• Your child should be taken quickly (but pleasantly) to the toilet
• Wet clothes should be removed and placed in the bathroom sink
• Your child sits on the toilet for two to three minutes during which time your child does not actually have to eliminate. At this point, you may pleasantly remind him/her that we eliminate on the toilet. Obviously no speeches, no stories, no “next time”, etc, just a positive, friendly reminder:) 
• Your child “rinses” out wet clothes, with liquid soap, wrings them out, hangs them to dry in the shower or bathtub. (Obviously, the garment is subsequently placed with dirty laundry for a more thorough wash:))
• Time for clean clothes! Then we just move on with the day in our calm and happy way…

 

Night Time Training

As we mentioned earlier, night time training should not be attempted before age 3. However, some children will become trained at night spontaneously during the daytime training process.

When you do begin night time training, there are two really important things that will prevent nighttime accidents:

• Do not give your child a lot to drink before bed.
• Do not wake your child to take him/her to the bathroom in the middle of the night (it weakens the bladder.

After 3 consecutive dry mornings, the child can wear underwear at night. If there are 2 wet mornings, go back to pull-ups

Use of the “Wet No More” device seems to have success when attempted after 5-6 years of age. However, If the problem persists speak with your pediatrician or urologist. Toilet training challenges are also associated with an active Spinal Galant reflex. You can take a look at our course on reflexes for more information on reflexes, how they work, and how you can help your child integrate an active reflex. 

Warmly,
Miriam