Potty Training as first time parents

As a first time mom entering the potty training stage I was majorly out of my element. I had no idea where to even start so I ask my daughters daycare owner, family, friends, even coworkers who had kids. This is what I found out. Every kid is different. They tell you when they’re ready. It may take some time. And my favorite, it will be bad before it gets better. That’s my favorite because boy is it true, at least in our experience it was.

Based on everything I researched I decided to just start. We started on a week when at least one of us would be home with her every day. The first day both of us were home and then one of use the rest of the week. It was also a week where we stayed inside all day. We also did a reward every time she went on the potty for the first few weeks. Below are some steps we followed that you can tweak based on how your toddler is doing.

• Day 1 + 2 (can do up to 3 days depending how your little one is doing) we did no pants, underwear or diaper

• Day 3 + 4 (again extend however long your little one needs) we did just loose pants

• Day 5 + 6 (again same thing- extend however long you need) we did just underwear

• Day 7 + on we did underwear and pants

• It seemed to work well for our little girl to do 2 days each step but we did not plan it that way. We would move to the next step when she stopped having a bunch of accidents during that step and it worked out. If your toddler isn’t ready to move to the next step don’t do it just to get it done because it will destroy their confidence before they start.

• plan to have days where they revert. It’s okay to just say okay today is a little rough. We’ll put a diaper on and try again tomorrow.

• Do not yell at them if they keep having accidents because it will make them worried and upset if they do have one and they be scared to tell you. We don’t want that at all.

• Remember this is new for them too and they have no experience at it.

• Reward systems work great. We started slightly big then got smaller treats that were slightly healthy and put it in a bag that she could choose from.

• This is new to both of you! Remember that as you go on this journey.

Day 1 + 2 we started with no pants or diaper. I’m not going to lie, we almost quit a few hours in. We had 5 accidents before nap time and after the 3rd we looked at each other and my husband said “do we quit or keep going?” We decided to keep going. The first few times she had an accident she didn’t even realize she was going until she was sitting in a puddle. On the 4th accident she finally realized what was happening and told us as she was going. She had one more accident before nap time but as soon as she started going, she stopped herself and ran to the potty. We were so excited and so was she, because even though she had another accident we saw progress and she was so happy she went on the potty. After nap time we put her on the potty every 30-45 minutes and she went 5 times on the potty without any accidents the rest of the night. She also pooped on the potty one time too but saw it and got scared and ran. We just explained to her that it was okay and everyone does it and she was okay. Day 2 she only had 2 accidents and peed on the potty around 12ish times.

Day 3 + 4 we put on pants ONLY, no diaper or underwear. Loose pants are better then tight because they feel that they aren’t wearing anything to block the accident. She did have a few accidents on day 3 but day 4 went well with no accidents. We did keep putting her on the potty these days but she started to tell us she had to go potty a few times starting on day 3 which was amazing progress.

Day 5 we put underwear on. We got her thicker training underwear just incase she had accidents. We found that pull ups felt too much like diapers and the one time we put them on she went in them right away. (we use them now on long trips but she usually tells us if she has top go now instead of going in them) On this day we also started setting alarms so she would know when to go to the potty just until she got used to telling us. The alarms also helped when daycare came because they would be setting alarms to remind her to go. Wee started with alarms every 10 to 15 minutes and then when she went (depending on how much she drank that day) we would extend it to 30-45 minutes. She wouldn’t go every time but we did just ask her to try.

Day 6 we did underwear again but we reverted a little bit. She had a bunch of accidents and she was feeling discouraged so by dinner we put on a diaper and said we’ll try again tomorrow.

Day 7 we put on underwear and pants and had no accidents at all. We still had to keep putting her on the potty and she started to get annoyed by going to the potty so much but she did great.

Day 8 was the first day without momma or dada She spent the day at home with grandma and she did well. She might have had an accident or two but she would stop herself and finish on the potty.

Day 9 was the first day at daycare. She had an accident as soon as she got there but we learned we go potty as soon as we get there now. We also had one more accident that day when we were playing and didn’t think about the potty but other then that we did great.

Day 10-18 she had days with grandma, day with momma and dada and days at daycare but she did amazingly well. She had a few accidents here and there but overall; we were pretty much potty trained well.

Day 19 was the first day that every time she had to go to the potty, she would tell us. We didn’t have to put her on the potty at all because she told us every time she had to go. The only time I asked her is right before nap and bedtime. I had her go potty then we’d out on a diaper and got ready for bed.

Day 28 we’ve been doing amazingly well and even had a poop on the potty.

Going poop on the potty took a little longer but that’s okay. She would go in her diapers when she had nap time and bed time. After maybe 2 or 3 months she finally went poopy on the potty every time she had to go. Diapers are always dry at nap time but bed time we still have some issues even 6 months in but she’s starting to call for us during the night to go on the potty instead of her diaper. We may start wearing underwear at night soon but just remember not to rush it because it will discourage both you and your little one. Good luck to all you mommas and daddies who are going through this. Its tough but so rewarding seeing the happiness on your baby’s face when they realize what they accomplished.

If you’d like more details or have any questions at all, please feel free to drop a message below.