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There is no right age to take your child out of diapers. The correct thing is to observe the little one and encourage him to use the potty
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As much as moms can’t wait to get rid of the diaper-changing marathon, ironically, the fastest (and most efficient) way to achieve this goal involves a lot of patience, tolerance and no rush. “Nobody tries to get a 9-month-old to walk because they know they don’t have the necessary neurological control and balance. The same goes for using the bathroom. It’s useless to remove the diaper of a baby who still doesn’t have sphincter control or mastered fears like sitting on the toilet, for example”, compares pediatrician Renato Lopes de Souza.
If the baby is not mature, the transition is full of setbacks, causing frustration for mother and child. “The attempt to accelerate the process can also bring emotional sequelae and predispose to the onset of constipation, enuresis and encopresis – the inability to control, respectively, peeing or pooping”, warns physician Vera Koch. For you to handle it without fear, check out the recommendations of these two experts below.
When to start taking off the diaper
There is no right age for removing diapers. In general, around the age of 2, the child has already reached the necessary neurological, motor and emotional maturation to use the potty. But this maturity can take longer without it meaning problems. Studies even indicate that babies who start this training later take less time to gain control. The important thing is to be aware of the signs that your child is ready. It’s a good sign, for example, if he manages to stay for intervals of two to three hours without wetting his diaper, if he tells you that he wants to pee or poop (or that he just did) and if he shows discomfort with a dirty diaper.
respect for differences
There is also no standard regarding which training to start first. Most kids have an easier time controlling their poop, but some start with peeing or both at the same time. The child’s preferences must also be respected regarding the use of the potty or the seat reducer. The ideal is to test both and see which one your child adapts to best. The reducer has the advantage of not requiring maintenance and seducing those who like to feel grown up. The potty, on the other hand, can be a fun model and act as an extra stimulus, in addition to providing a greater sense of security during use. Fear of the toilet is frequent among little ones and should not be ignored.
successful training
Persistence and emphasis on routine are key. Do not forget that the transition needs to happen simultaneously in the various environments that the child frequents. So, when you start training, combine the step-by-step with the school and with the grandparents. And resist the temptation to go back to diapers on the weekends. Remember if:
1. Most children tend to pee or poop about an hour after meals. If this is your child’s case, have him sit on the potty at these times. The recommendation applies to both boys and girls – only later, when the boy completes learning, should he be encouraged to stand up to urinate, imitating his father and peers.
2. Turn potty time into a pleasurable moment. Read a story, make up a game or sing, all of which help to relax the pelvic muscles.
3. If the little one succeeds, praise him by saying you are proud. If nothing happens after about ten minutes or the child shows signs of impatience, put the diaper back on and encourage him to try. The idea is to get her used to sitting on the potty before taking off her diaper.
4. Some experts recommend repeating this ritual every two hours. Others find it better to encourage the baby to recognize the sensation of a full bladder on his own, as this facilitates night training. Talk to your pediatrician about it and, of course, be aware of those typical signs of “tightness” – such as grimacing and restlessness – to get your child to the bathroom in time.
5. When you see that the child is already in control of the situation, move on to panties or underwear. There are training diapers, with elastic sides, which she can lower herself.
6. If your baby has a trapped intestine, reinforce the offer of fruits and cereals so that the act of evacuating does not become a painful experience.
7. Relapses are inevitable. In front of them, remain calm and say something like “she got away, but next time I know you’ll try to warn her before”. Be careful not to overestimate the incident, because the little one may find it worth peeing his pants to get attention. And, above all, never humiliate the child: in addition to harming her self-esteem, this attitude can lead to problems such as constipation.
the diaper of the night
This training is usually a little more complicated, as it requires many hours at a time without going to the bathroom. The first attempt can be made about six months after the day control is perfect, as long as the mother notices that the night diaper is often dry in the morning. Until the age of 5, it is normal to wet the bed and a tactic that many mothers use is to wake up during the night to take the little sleeper to the bathroom. As a rule, adopt a mattress protector, avoid excess liquids after dinner and get your child used to going to the bathroom before going to bed.
understand the moment
For every child, the removal of the diaper brings a sense of loss, as if he realized that his condition (and advantages) as a little baby were threatened. That’s why psychologists recommend that parents be careful when encouraging the bathroom and not show disgust at the baby’s pee and poo. It’s even worth encouraging goodbyes to poop, because the theater helps little ones get used to the idea that their place is in the toilet.
The sense of loss that naturally accompanies this learning is also the reason why one should not start it at moments considered critical. “Even children who have already taken off their diapers can go back to wetting their clothes before the birth of a sibling, the separation of their parents, a change of house or babysitter, starting school or even changing the crib for a bed”, he explains. Ana Cássia Maturano, psychologist. Also in cases like this, it is better to wait than run the risk that learning so important for your child’s independence turns into a domestic battle.
On the way to the bathroom
When buying a potty, take your child along and make sure that the chosen model allows him to sit with his legs bent at 90 degrees and his feet firmly on the ground. For the seat reducer, provide a stool or box, on which the little one can climb and stay supported.
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