Now that my daughter is two-and-a-half years old, I am approaching when I need to potty train her. From my years of experience working with families, I know that each child is different, and potty training your child might look a bit different from how I potty train mine, and that’s okay! Potty training can be a challenging process for some children and smooth for others. I was lucky enough to have an easy experience with my son, but I am preparing for anything with my daughter. That’s why I’m chatting with my guest today, Arin Schultz. He has four boys and knows a thing or two about potty training. In this episode, we share our potty training experiences with our kids, potty training tips, what to keep in mind, and how we got started.

If you want a good laugh and some relatable information on potty training, this episode is for you!

Who is Arin Schultz?

Arin is the VP of Sales and Marketing at Naturepedic and has over nine years of experience in the organic mattress industry. Since 2003, Naturepedic has been on a mission to transform the lives of its customers through safer, healthier sleep and top-of-the-line baby and children’s products. By eliminating materials like flame retardants and polyurethane foam from their line of certified organic natural mattresses, Naturepedic supports an organic, holistic lifestyle while protecting the environment.

What Did We Discuss?

In this episode, we chat with Arin all about potty training! Here are several of the questions that we covered:

• What were your potty training experiences like with your four boys?
• Which potty training readiness signs did your kids exhibit?
• When do you believe a parent should start the potty training process?
• With your experience, what do you think is the best way to get started with potty training?
• We know that children vary developmentally and in temperament. Do you think the potty training process varies based on each child?
• What are some products that can help with potty training?
• What about nighttime potty training? Where does this fit into the training process, and how can parents integrate it into their routine?
• What are your top potty training tips & tricks?
• What is one piece of advice you would like to give parents about to embark on potty training their child?

Episode Notes

We talked about several products during this episode. You can learn more about them here:

• Waterproof Mattress Pad
• Organic Cotton Waterproof Pillow Protector (Kids Collection)
• Organic Kids Waterproof Mattress

Naturepedic’s Resources

• Website: Naturepedic.com
• Instagram: @naturepedic
• Facebook: @naturepedic
• YouTube: @naturepedic
• Listen to our other episodes with Naturepedic:
  • Why Your Crib Mattress is an Important Decision – Podcast Ep 42
  • How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe – Podcast Ep 67
• How to Create an Eco-Friendly Sustainable Nursery
• Naturepedic Crib Mattress is Trailblazing Healthy and Safe Sleep

This episode is brought to you by our friends at Naturepedic. They are offering all of our listeners a discount!

20% off on their website: www.naturepedic.com

Discount code: BabyChick20

Pooping in the potty can be quite traumatic for many children. The whole process can be rather alarming between the surprise of what happens when it hits the water and the different sensations a child may experience during the event. And for children with negative past pooping experiences or sensory issues, there can be a lot of fear surrounding this body process. If you have a toddler who is afraid to poop on the potty, try these tips to make them feel more comfortable and confident.

Help Your Toddler Poop on the Potty

Treat Withholding First

When children develop anxiety around pooping, one of our first inclinations as parents and caregivers is to find creative ways to get them to poop on the potty. But, we must first address any underlying physiological roadblocks preventing them from being successful.

One of the most significant issues around toddler pooping is constipation. We all know that being constipated can be highly uncomfortable. Add that to the need to practice a new skill of doing it on the potty, and it can be pretty anxiety-provoking.

Constipation can arise for several reasons, but one thing we often see during the potty training months (and years) is that children will withhold their poop to avoid having to poop on the potty. Unfortunately, withholding can lead to a vicious cycle and cause even more distress and pain if left unaddressed. Sometimes, parents have to resort to suppositories or oral laxatives to force things to get moving.

First, you will want to ensure they have normal bowel habits. Ideally, children should go at least once daily, but some may go every other day. You may need to take a break from potty training to get them on a healthy schedule. Getting them comfortable with pooping again takes precedence over where they do it. So, if your child is more comfortable pooping in diapers, revert to that until you can see their bowel habits are back to normal.

Focus on Diet and Hydration

To keep their bowels as happy and healthy as possible, keep them hydrated with plenty of water. If you notice their bowel movements are infrequent, you can try to add prune juice to their water in the morning each day. Just make sure that the addition doesn’t discourage them from drinking.

Next, what they eat is essential. We know toddler diets can be highly preferential at times, and often, the foods that catch their eye are not the most gut-friendly. Where you can, try to increase their fiber intake. Foods high in fiber include:

• Pears
• Berries
• Apples
• Bananas
• Avocados
• Carrots
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Leafy vegetables like kale
• Legumes
• Oats
• Nuts
• Sweet potatoes

Avoid increasing their fiber intake too rapidly, which can cause bloating and discomfort. Instead, start slowly, and if you need to, look for ways to be creative. For example, green smoothies are a great way to conceal kale and avocados, or you can make fun pictures on their plates featuring an assortment of fruits and veggies.

Be Consistent with Feeding Schedules

Part of having healthy bowel habits includes regulating your eating schedule. Most toddlers would snack throughout the day when left to their own devices. But snacking can throw off the bowels.

We know that toddlers’ stomachs quickly digest food given their small size, so instead of allowing snacking between 3 main meals, opt to offer 4-6 smaller meals with various foods. The menu can be relatively consistent each day, but the idea is to expose your child to various fiber and protein sources and reduce snacking on crackers and the like.

Getting your child on a regular feeding schedule helps the bowels become more regulated. Therefore, you and your child will have a better chance at predicting and preparing for bowel movements, as the need will likely arise around the same time every day.

Acknowledge Their Fears

Children need to have their fears and concerns acknowledged by their parents. Snuggle with your child and ask what makes them scared to poop on the potty. Avoid prompting them unless they are not forthcoming, and then you may want to ask questions like “Does it hurt?” or “Do you not like to see it in the potty?”

When they tell you what worries them, don’t dismiss their fears but instead say something like, “I can see why that makes you feel worried.” You can follow it up by saying, “We will work together so that you feel comfortable the next time you need to go.”

Opt for Gradual Exposure Approach

When children become fearful of using the potty, they may gravitate toward pooping in a specific spot in the house — rarely is it the bathroom. You can follow this step-by-step approach to get them more comfortable using the potty. (Allow your child to become very comfortable with each step before moving on. Know that this will not be a quick process.)

Step 1: Allow them to poop in their diaper/pull-up somewhere in the bathroom.

Start by getting them comfortable with pooping in the bathroom over anywhere else. Then, clean them up in the bathroom right after, and if you can, flush their poop down the toilet. Bonus points if they flush it themselves. Give them a small reward like a few chocolate chips, a sticker, or a fun game together. If they do this, let them know how proud you are of their efforts. If the bathroom is too scary, choose a spot in the house together to poop in their diaper.

Step 2: Have them poop in a diaper/pull-up standing next to the toilet.

Your goal is to increase their comfort with being around the toilet while pooping, so you may want to set a fun book on the toilet lid or a few toys to encourage them to stand and even touch the potty while pooping.

Step 3: Have them sit on the potty to poop with their diaper/pull-up on.

This step may be a tough sell, but you can ramp up your reward here to encourage them. Once they become familiar with pooping in the diaper while sitting on the potty, you may try pre-cutting a hole in the diaper so that the poop drops into the toilet.

Step 4: Go sans diaper, but hold onto their hips while they go.

Holding their hips where their diaper is usually wrapped around them can comfort them as they take this big step. They will likely not be able to go each time they try, but offer a small reward with each effort to encourage them to keep up the good habit. Even something as simple as adding a few drops of food coloring to the toilet water can make the experience more fun and incentivize them to do it again.

Still No Luck?

Poop fears are complicated to overcome. And, it is something that your child will likely not move past for several weeks to perhaps even months. But if you find your child is extremely upset or distressed, or progress is just not happening despite your best attempts, never hesitate to reach out for support from your child’s pediatrician or a potty training expert.

Poop is incredibly important. While it is something we tend to dispose of quickly, it pays to be familiar with your toddler’s bowel movements. Indeed, your toddler’s poop can tell you a lot about their physical and emotional health. And when they start potty training, your ability to read their poop will make that milestone smoother.

Needless to say, there is an excellent reason why your pediatrician always asks how pooping is going for your little one—poop matters. Let’s learn about what your toddler’s poop is telling you and some action steps you can take to keep their little digestive systems happy and healthy.

How poop changes from babyhood to toddlerhood.

Likely, you have become quite accustomed to what your child’s poop looked like as a baby. But, once they reach toddlerhood, it can start to look (and smell) a lot different.

There are a few reasons why poop can change from babyhood to toddlerhood. Firstly, toddlers likely have more variety in their diet than when they were first getting accustomed to solids. They are also not as likely to be drinking formula or breast milk by toddler age, which can change how their poop looks. Indeed, switching from formula or breast milk to cow’s milk activates different enzymes in their digestive system, which ultimately changes their microbiome.

Aside from how it looks, your toddler’s poop habits may also change. Perhaps the most significant change you may notice is that constipation may be more frequent in your toddler than when they were a baby. The primary reason why constipation can occur more frequently in toddlers is that their interest in food can change. Toddlers can go through periods where they are not very interested in eating, and when they do eat, they may gravitate only toward specific food items. Their hydration habits may also be inconsistent, making their poop harder to pass.

Does potty training affect a toddler’s poop habits?

Perhaps nothing can rock your toddler’s bowel habits as much as potty training. And, it makes complete sense if you consider that your child has only ever known to poop in a diaper up until you determine it is time for a change.

Tips for Avoiding Constipation

• Fiber – Fiber will help increase your toddler’s stool size and help it pass more easily. Increase their fiber intake slowly so their body can adjust to it. Eating too much fiber all at once can lead to gas and bloating.
• Magnesium – As one of the most abundant minerals in our body, magnesium plays a vital role in regulating our bowels. If your child is prone to constipation, consider adding a magnesium mix or supplement to their diet with your pediatrician’s approval.
• Exercise – Regular physical activity is essential for keeping their bowels moving food along. Make sure they get plenty of time to run around each day.
• Water – Poop is 75% water. We need water to lubricate the stool and our digestive tracts. Make sure your toddler is drinking plenty of plain ol’ water each day to keep things moving along.

One of the most common poop changes with potty training toddlers is they can become more constipated, especially if they are fearful or hesitant with using the potty. Indeed, it is not uncommon for children to withhold poop if they are not ready or opposed to potty training. Yet, nothing can wreck good potty progress like a bad bout of constipation because it is uncomfortable and painful. So, avoiding constipation during potty training is a top priority.

Tips for Avoiding Diarrhea

• Decrease fat – Our bodies can have a hard time digesting fat, especially saturated fats. If diarrhea is common after fatty meals, your child may need to reduce their fat intake.
• Decrease sugar – Sugar decreases the number of good bacteria we have in our guts. Losing that good bacteria can cause diarrhea.
• Curb stress – Chronic stress and even short-term stress can lead to changes in the balance of bacteria residing in the gut.
• Encourage downtime after eating – Physical activity quickens the digestive tract, so eating right before active play can cause an upset stomach.
• Avoid allergens and food sensitivities – There is a big difference between an allergy and a food sensitivity. An allergen can cause a life-threatening reaction in some individuals and should be avoided entirely. A food sensitivity is something that triggers an unpleasant response in your GI tract, like cramping or diarrhea. If your toddler frequently has diarrhea, keep a food diary to see if there is a pattern connected to their diet.

Of course, the opposite of constipation can also be problematic during potty training. Diarrhea is often the result of diet or viral and bacterial infections. For some children, it may also be an emotional response to something that has upset them. Diarrhea will surely happen at some point during potty training. The best way to support your child is to help them stay hydrated, well-nourished, and comfortable (whether that means offering them a diaper until a stomach bug passes or keeping them close to the potty if they are comfortable with using it).

The Nitty Gritty of Toddler Poop

Now that we have covered the changes that poop can undergo from babyhood to toddlerhood, it is essential to get to the bottom of how to read to their poop. Health providers rely primarily on color and consistency to identify what a person’s poop tells them about their overall health. Let’s take a look at each category. You may be surprised to know that these charts apply to you, too!

Poop Color

The color of poop is primarily determined by the amount of bile we secrete and the accumulation of old red blood cells (RBCs). Bile is a greenish fluid secreted by the liver to help our digestive tracts digest fat.

As you may imagine, the more fat in your diet, the more bile you will secrete. The standard brown color of poop also comes from a chemical called stercobilin, a by-product of both bile and old red blood cells.

Color can also be influenced by what we eat. For example, any parent who has ever let their toddler decorate cookies with blue frosting will undoubtedly see the evidence a few hours or days later. Likewise, red beets or red food coloring can give the impression that there is bleeding somewhere in the digestive tract. You may also see remnants of your child’s meal, such as tomato skins, corn kernels, or carrot chunks.

Now, silliness aside, there are poop colors that are concerning. Black poop and red poop (unrelated to eating foods with red hues or licorice and other supplements/medications) are the most concerning because that means there is bleeding somewhere in the digestive system.

Poop can also be green, yellow, or gray. Each of these colors (again, unrelated to diet) is usually the result of too much bile, too little bile, or too much fat in your diet.

Poop Consistency

Health providers use the Bristol Stool Chart to identify different textures or consistencies of poop. This chart helps health providers and their patients talk about poop using images and pictures.

Per the stool chart, there are seven main texture types we use when we talk about poop. Poop texture is influenced by numerous things, including what we eat, how hydrated we are, how fast our intestines push food through our intestines, medications (like antibiotics), and stress.

How Parents Can Talk To Their Toddlers About Poop

By now, you have hopefully realized how vital poop is for our health. But, the way we talk about poop and how we feel about it makes it seem like a grossly abnormal bodily function. We have to normalize poop, especially for our kids. It is not uncommon for both children and adults to have poop anxiety. It is also par for the course for children and adults to struggle with poop issues, like constipation and pain.

As parents, we have to make it okay for our children to talk to us about poop. We also have to be open to talking about it with our child’s pediatrician because your child will be watching you and learning that this is okay to share these health details with your health provider. Making this vital bodily function a taboo subject is detrimental to your child’s health and yours.

A few tips to help your kid learn about their poop:

• Give it a name and stick with it – Your child is learning so much in toddlerhood. Being consistent with what you call poop helps reduce confusion. Remember, this word will likely be tossed around among friends and in public spaces, so make sure you are comfortable with your child yelling whatever word you choose to call poop.
• Educate them about their poop from the very beginning – Have your child look at their poop before you flush it away. Teach them what their poop means and give them words to describe their poop. For example, let them know if they have diarrhea, why it happens, talk about how it feels, and how you will help them feel better.
• Talk to them about how their diet influences their poop – Help your child make this important connection between the food they eat and their diet as early as possible. For example, if they have been struggling with constipation, talk to them about how eating yummy apricots or slurping a little prune juice can help them go more easily.

With these tips and having a better understanding 0f your child’s poop, we hope, gives you a bit more peace of mind about what’s going on with your child’s body and health.

Parenting is such a funny thing. You start off knowing hardly anything and learning it all. Then, just when you think you have things figured out, you get hit with a new page of parenting you didn’t know existed. Potty training is a classic example of a parenting duty we know is inevitable, yet we are never prepared when it arrives. The beauty of parenting in the twenty-first century is that we have so many resources at our fingertips to help us through these obstacles. But how do you know what is true? Which strategies are successful? What exactly will appeal to your toddler?

As an Early Childhood Developmental Specialist, I work hand in hand with families on all things parenting. Most of my time, though, I am helping families navigate the waters of potty training. I create individualized plans or host workshops to help parents feel secure and be successful all at the same time. Potty training seems to be one of the most daunting tasks to a parent, mostly because teaching a new skill to a “threenager” isn’t simple. But also because many myths seem to deter us as parents and add fear to an already arduous task.

5 Myths About Potty Training

Today, I will debunk the top five myths about potty training. I hope to help ease your fear, help you gain some confidence, and maybe learn something in the process.

1. Boys are Much Harder to Potty Train than Girls

I often wonder where this tall tale came from in the world of parenthood. It is a myth that parents constantly repeat to me as truth before they even try to potty train their son. The truth is, it is simply not the case. It has never been proven harder to potty train a boy, nor, in my experience, is it accurate. It can be said that potty training your son could lead to more prep and action than when potty training a girl, but making it harder . . . not so much.

Things to consider are making sure all liquids are “aimed” correctly in the potty. Also, you’ll need to decide as a family if you want to teach your son to sit or stand while peeing. I call these the “potty prep” tasks to figure out before introducing potty training. Sure, it adds two more tasks to this process. But if done ahead of time, it makes the training process merely the same between boys and girls.

2. Start Early (younger than two years old), and Your Child Will Learn On Their Own

There is the thought from parents that if they place their child on the potty, the child will just figure it out. So many parents run and put their babies on the potty whenever they start to pee or poop. They hope that the child will associate these bodily functions with the potty. This thought stems from other cultures that believe this is how to successfully potty train your child, and the myth has found its way here in the U.S.¹

Some associations may form, but generally, children need to understand their urges cognitively and physically first. Then they’ll need to develop the desire to go to the bathroom in the toilet and not in their pants. These skills usually develop around 18 months old (or older), giving children the awareness, sense of autonomy, and competence to succeed in potty training.

3. Your Child Should Be Potty Trained By Age X

Potty training has this common misconception that it is a skill learned by a certain age. Potty training is a developmental milestone, not an age-appropriate action. This means that, just like walking, talking, and reading, it is a skill that a child needs to develop and learn. Children develop at different times and in many different ways. The key to ensuring they are developmentally ready to be potty trained is to help foster self-care, independent skills, and body awareness. Then, they will be developmentally ready to be trained with no association with their age.

4. Pick a Popular Method to Train and It Will Work

Oh, how great it would be if it were just this simple. There are many methods out there to potty train your little one. Some have become very popular, with promising results in less than three days. As discussed above, potty training is a developmental milestone, not just something learned. When a parent tries an unsuccessful method, I often hear they must have done it wrong. What if you did it perfectly, but it isn’t the right fit for your child? This is usually the case. Not all children learn to walk, talk, eat, or sleep the same. So why should learning how to use the potty be any different? Working with your child, understanding what motivates them and makes them feel secure, and creating your own “Potty Plan” is a fast way to see success and results.

5. It is Just a Matter of Discipline

This myth can be the most troublesome. Potty training can quickly become a power struggle, leaving both parents and children feeling defeated and hopeless. Parents sometimes lie to their children about the store running out of diapers or offer bribes to use the potty. Others may find themselves withholding toys or threatening some form of discipline if the child isn’t successful on the potty. This may seem extreme. But if you are at your wit’s end and feel your child purposely has accidents, you may find yourself resorting to this type of discipline. Try to keep the power out of potty training and make the process as autonomous as possible for your child. This will help reduce the risk of anxiety, fear, and other issues that create a power-struggle environment.

Potty training doesn’t have to be such a scary task in parenthood. It can be exciting! You will finally ditch the diapers and have a more independent child. This will allow you to do new and exciting things (like swimming in the adult pool at the swim club) without worrying about a soggy swim diaper. The hard part is getting to that day.

These myths can make us parents lose confidence that it can happen, especially if we have tried with little success. Stay confident, return to the basics, and tailor your training to your child and family dynamic. After all, it is them that you are doing this for. So why not make it appealing to them from the beginning? Who knows, you may even find that it was easier than you thought.

Topics that don’t get as much attention as they should are when our kids have issues with potty training, experiencing bedwetting, and childhood constipation. I can understand because they’re not the most glamorous topics, but some children experience these issues. And when it happens to your child, it can be worrying and frustrating. That’s why we wanted to bring an expert to our podcast for this discussion.

In this episode, our guest is Dr. Steve Hodges, an associate professor of pediatric urology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He is the country’s leading authority on bedwetting, potty training, and childhood constipation. Dr. Hodges has authored numerous journal articles and books for children and parents, including Bedwetting and Accidents Aren’t Your Fault and The M.O.P. Book: A Guide to the Only Proven Way to STOP Bedwetting and Accidents. He is a father of three and on a mission to inform families that bedwetting is totally misunderstood and highly treatable. And it might just be because your kid is experiencing childhood constipation!

We’re grateful to have Dr. Hodges on our podcast to answer our questions about potty training, bedwetting, and childhood constipation. He’s giving us the real scoop on poop and sharing his expert advice and recommendations to parents out there. Let’s welcome Dr. Hodges!

Potty training – knowing when to start and the actual getting it done part – was the unexpected winner of the “most challenging thing we’ve done as parents.” When it came to potty training, our very strong-willed son, we struggled, researched all the strategies, and ultimately found that it came down to one thing: waiting for him to be ready to potty train.

Some experts will tell you there’s no such thing as a child being “ready.” They claim that if you follow the right strategies, you can potty train a child before they turn two. This can be true, but I think it depends on the child, as with everything parenting-related.

For our son, there was a definite need to wait. We stopped potty training after trying when he was just short of 3 years old. He’d seemed interested and “ready.” But two days in, we were both crying out of frustration, and he had decided that peeing on the floor was much more desirable. So we took a time out, and it turned out that stopping and waiting until he was genuinely ready was the best decision we could have made.

Signs You’re Potty Training Too Early

So, how do you know when your child is ready to potty train? When is it too early? What are the signs? Let’s chat about it!

Sign #1: They Can’t Tell You When They Need to Use the Potty

We did a hybrid potty training method, using the popular “Oh Crap! Potty Training” method. According to the “Oh Crap” book, a significant potty training milestone is when your child can sense they have to go potty and can tell you or run to the potty on their own. If they’re too young to have control over their bladder and/or are too young to understand the sensation of needing to use the bathroom, your child will not be able to tell you — or themself — when they need to go.

This is a pretty crucial part of the training. If your toddler doesn’t quite understand the feeling of needing to go and isn’t able to communicate this to you in some way — verbally, through sign language, or something else — you probably see a lot of accidents and little to no progress over time. If this sounds familiar, it could be time to take a break.

Sign #2: They Still Have a Lot of Wet and Dirty Diapers

Remember how many diapers your baby went through with your newborn? It felt like a ton, and it probably was since most breastfed newborns have about six or more wet diapers in a day. As kids grow older and reach the toddler phase, their bladders get larger, and their pelvic muscles start to develop, giving them more control and the ability to hold it until they can get to the potty.

Since bladder control develops with age, fighting this milestone is hard. So, if you notice that you’re still changing the same amount of diapers every day, it may be a sign that your kid’s bladder and muscles aren’t quite there yet.

Sign #3: They Have Zero Interest in the Potty

Interest in the potty was a big one for our son. He went from not caring one bit to practically trying to climb onto it himself. Your child’s interest and desire to use the potty can be important if they’re on the stronger-willed side. If they’re still acting as though the potty doesn’t exist or don’t show any interest in what you’re doing on the potty, it may be hard to get them excited about using it themselves.

Sign #4: They Couldn’t Care Less About Hanging Out in a Dirty Diaper

Having the consciousness and maturity to want privacy while using the bathroom isn’t something we thought about initially, but it’s an easy-to-spot indicator of potty training readiness. If your child is delighted to sit around in their stool, it will probably be a bit more challenging to motivate them to stop what they’re doing and go to the bathroom or tell you before they go.

At some point, kids become conscious of what they’re doing and may begin to hide in the corner for privacy. They also may tell you they have a dirty diaper and even ask you to change it. If nothing along these lines is happening, it could be a little soon to start trying to get your toddler to stay still and sit on the potty.

Some will insist it’s not too early to potty train, but trust your mom intuition and your child’s reaction. Unless you have to potty train for daycare or school, pushing your child out of diapers too early could be more stressful than it’s worth for you and them. If you see some of these signs and a lot of resistance, pack everything up for a few weeks and try again when you and your child are ready!

Over the past three years, diapers have been a constant part of my life as a mom. Thankfully, I see my son showing some potty training readiness signs, but I know that we aren’t there just yet. But now that my baby isn’t so much of a baby anymore, diaper changes have turned into a struggle and we’ve needed to find a better option. In the past, I haven’t been the biggest fan of pull-ups or training pants, but I recently discovered Rascal + Friends’ new premium training pants. After testing them out for a few weeks, I’ve been converted. These are the training pants that I believe every parent of wriggly toddlers needs to know about, and after testing them for a couple of weeks, our team agrees.

Rascal + Friends Premium Training Pants

What We Love About Them

They use clean materials.

The first thing that made us happy to see was how Rascal+ Friends uses the safest materials. Their diapers and training pants do not contain lotions, fragrances, or any other nasty chemicals such as elemental chlorine or latex. They only use water-based inks, and their diapers are cruelty-free and vegan! Certified by Dermatest, their diapers and training pants are dermatologically tested to be safe for sensitive skin. Learning all of this made us even more excited to test out the Rascal + Friends premium training pants. We were happy to discover some unexpected, great features!

Diaper changes are now faster and easier for me.

If you’ve changed a toddler’s diaper recently, you know how difficult it can be. They are strong and wriggle all over the place. My big, squirmy toddler boy never wants to pause or stay still, making diaper changes a nightmare. What I really love about Rascal + Friends training pants is that they’ve made diaper changes faster and easier for me, resulting in a happier mom and toddler.

I love how the sides easily tear, so no matter what is inside that diaper, I can handle it quickly with him standing up or sitting down. Other training pants require the parent to pull the dirty pants down and can make a big mess. With the easy-tear sides, these can be removed the same as a traditional diaper. After cleaning him up, my son can pull up the stretchy waistband on a new pair of training pants and be off to play. Speedy, mess-free changes and great fit make this mama very happy!

The resealable tab is genius!

One thing that I have hated about pull-ups and training pants in the past is how messy things can be if you have to change a poopy diaper. It’s evident that Rascal + Friends had this same dilemma because they have added a resealable tab on the back of their training pants. This tab makes poopy diaper changes so much better. Parents can roll the dirty pants up and fasten the tab to hold the mess in. This is one of my favorite features!

They don’t leak.

Toddlers can get into some wacky and crazy positions. With all of that movement, it can cause some diapers to leak. I’ve experienced this myself with my son wearing certain brands of diapers, but I am happy to see that we haven’t had leaks, daytime or nighttime with Rascal + Friends!

One of our team members, Jordan, also tested out the Rascal + Friends training pants. She said, “My son is extremely curvy. We have had trouble finding a training pant that completely covers his cheeks and does not leak or smell. Rascal + Friends training pants checked all the boxes for us. They are even more affordable than some brands we were testing, without compromising quality. I feel good knowing he is comfortable throughout his day.”

This brings me to the next detail that we love.

They are affordable.

We’ve all heard the old phrase, “you get what you pay for.” But we don’t want to have to spend a fortune on diapers or training pants that don’t contain chemicals and that function properly. When I realized how affordable Rascal + Friends diapers and training pants were, I was thrilled for all parents! They make affordable products that don’t compromise on quality and performance. Packs start at $7.97, and they offer their Try Us, Love Us Guarantee, which allows first-time customers to receive a new size or refund if they don’t love the product. Basically, you have nothing to lose!

When to Start Using Training Pants

Another great thing about Rascal + Friends’ training pants is that your child doesn’t have to be potty training (or anywhere close to potty training) to use their pants. Since their training pants have the same absorbency and leak-preventing features as their diapers, their training pants can be used just like a diaper!

The Rascal + Friends training pants were obviously developed as a solution for wriggly rascals who don’t want to lie down for a change, just like mine. This is a big reason why we have converted to these training pants before we begin potty training our son.

Where Can You Find Rascal + Friends Training Pants?

You can get Rascal + Friends premium diapers, training pants, and sensitive wipes on Walmart.com and in select Walmart stores throughout Texas.

Let’s talk about potty training! It’s one of those monumental milestones we mamas walk through with our toddlers that makes them suddenly seem like they went from babies to tiny little humans overnight. And while it can be an exciting time (and a time to save some serious cash by ditching diapers), it can also come with lots of stress. From cleaning up potty accidents for what may seem like days (or even weeks) to wondering if you’ll ever be able to drive further than down the block without stopping for a potty break, potty training can be daunting.

But many moms agree that once it’s done, you forget about all the stress that comes with it. It’s kind of like pregnancy and giving birth —you forget about it all until you do it all over again.

5 Things I Wish I Had Known About Potty Training

So, read on as I share five things I wish I had known about potty training before I jumped into it with my then two-and-a-half-year-old daughter. Because if I had known these things, I think I would have been a bit more laid back about the whole thing!

1. You Don’t Need to Read a Dozen Books

If you’re anything like me, you research before jumping into anything, especially parenting-related. I was one of those first-time mamas who read ALL the pregnancy and parenting books. But I walked away feeling overwhelmed and almost inundated with too much information. I definitely didn’t learn my lesson because I did the same with potty training books! By the time I finished each book, I was overwhelmed.

Ultimately, what I found the most helpful was talking to other moms about their experiences—or reading helpful tips on mom blogs with real-life experiences. So, learn from my mistakes! Don’t read all the books — get the cliff notes online and talk to real-life mamas!

2. Don’t Rely Heavily on Pull-ups

While there are a dozen different potty training methods, I found pull-ups to be the least helpful (other than for nighttime). Whenever I had a pull-up on my two-year-old, she would go potty in them. Why? Well, they are basically just a “big girl diaper!” I ditched the pull-ups by the second or third day of potty training. And things went much smoother! I would say no to pull-ups from day one if I could do it again.

3. Don’t Attempt Potty Training Until Your Kiddo is Ready

Ok, this one is crucial. I waited to potty train my daughter until she was about 2 1/2 years old, and while that was still relatively young, she was ready. But starting potty training too early can lead to some added stress no mama has time for. Plus, you don’t want to make the situation unnecessarily stressful for your babes. All kids eventually stop requiring diapers, so don’t stress about it! Your kiddo will get there in their own time! Just be sure to keep an eye out for readiness signs and, even then, take it slow.

4. Have Multiple Potties!

No, you don’t have to install toilets everywhere, but having those little kid portable potties around your house will save you so much stress and cleanup!

When I started potty training, my daughter would give us zero warning when she needed to go (this happened a lot!). So, before I wised up, I was carrying the little potty from across the house, hoping we would get to the bathroom in time.

The bottom line is to save your sanity and have portable toilets anywhere in your house where you hang out the most. And get the portable toilets that you can collapse and bring in the car.

5. Overnight Training May Take Some Time

Every kid is different, but overnight training often takes much longer than daytime potty training, so don’t worry about this. That’s what nighttime Pull-ups are for! You’ll know when your kid is ready to take that next nighttime potty training step.

Conquer Potty Training Like the Mom Boss That You Are

These are the top five things I wish I had known before starting potty training my first. Knowing these things, I’m ready to tackle potty training like a pro when my second is ready. Although some say potty training boys is harder (even though the AAP has said this is not true¹), chances are I’ll be just as lost as I was the first time around!

While it may feel like potty training is a huge feat, it’s simply a season of motherhood all of us mamas power through like the mom bosses we are. You (and your toddler) will get through it!

For all the moms out there who are struggling with potty training . . . you are not alone. On a recent episode of “Momsplaining with Kristen Bell,” a new web series (here), actress Kristen Bell got real and shared that her youngest daughter, Delta, who is 5 years old, still wears diapers.

Bell was chatting with fellow actresses Maya Rudolph and Casey Wilson in the episode. She said her oldest daughter, seven-year-old Lincoln, took quickly to potty training as a toddler. But it’s been a different story the second time around. She explained, “My oldest daughter, at 21 months, we merely suggested that she use the toilet in the other room. Never wore another diaper beyond that. We were lying in bed giggling about this, and my husband and I were like, ‘Why does everyone make a big deal out of this potty training? It’s so easy. Just tell the kid to use the toilet.'” Bell quickly added, “Currently, my youngest is five and a half, still in diapers.”

“It’s real relative, isn’t it?” Rudolph asked. “Yes, because every kid is so different,” Bell replied.

As a big Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard fan, I love how they keep things real no matter what reactions they receive. As soon as children reach the age of 18 months, parents are flooded with talk about potty training. Some parents experience no issues when introducing this major milestone to their toddlers. While other parents meet hesitancy, resistance, and downright refusal. 5-years-old may sound a bit old to still be in diapers, but it’s reassuring to know that even celebrities go through these challenges. It’s also important for us all to remember that every child is different and that we do not know every person’s medical history or circumstances.

Potty training is a hot parenting topic and one that is often met with confusion. Many people first believed potty training should begin once the child turned 18 months old, but the age of potty training has increased over the years.¹ There are countless factors to consider before starting potty training. And many individual circumstances will affect its length and success.

A study in 1999 once led people to believe that girls have an easier time controlling their bladder, making them easier to potty train.² But we’ve since seen that the AAP says this may not be true.³ And now experts are warning against rushing the potty training process.⁴ This is why there is a lot of confusion: there is no actual “right” age to begin potty training your child. It’s difficult to conclusively say some children can get the hang of it faster or slower than others.

Also, daytime and nighttime potty training are two completely different skills. Children can be fully trained in the daytime, but it may take months or even years to stay dry throughout the night. On average, children night train between the ages of 4 and 5.⁵ And most children are fully potty trained by the time they’re 5 to 6 years old, which may explain Kristen Bell’s situation.⁶

Even with all of this information, it doesn’t stop parents from judging other parents’ potty training journeys. So let’s remember that we don’t know every family’s story, experiences, or circumstances. Also, let’s be kind because these parents are already feeling self-conscious. That is why I am grateful that Bell shared her potty training experiences with her kids. That takes bravery and lets other mothers know that they are not alone.

References:

1. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/1101/p1059.html

2. https://link.springer.com/10.1007/s004310051030

3. https://www.healthychildren.org/87-2541380

4. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/

5. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/90,P02300

6. https://www.healthychildren.org/1-236785

Potty training can be one of the most challenging endeavors of your baby’s first few years. Rest assured, several methods and strategies are out there to set you and your baby up for success! We decided to borrow some lessons from the Montessori method and apply these lessons to potty training. While potty training the Montessori way may not be for everyone, many parents have used this method and loved it!

What is Montessori potty training?

According to the American Montessori Society, the Montessori philosophy is as follows: “Montessori is an educational philosophy and practice that fosters rigorous, self-motivated growth for children and adolescents in all areas of their development, with a goal of nurturing each child’s natural desire for knowledge, understanding, and respect.”¹

What does this look like when applied to potty training? According to How to Raise an Amazing Child: The Montessori Way to Bring up Caring, Confident Children, by Tim Seldin, “Learning to use the toilet is a natural process that begins when your child’s desire to be grown up and his neurological development have reached the point where he can control his bladder and bowels. We don’t train children to use the toilet, we support them when they are ready.”

Potty Training the Montessori Way

Recognize Readiness

The first tip from the Montessori approach to potty training is to recognize that it is a natural and gradual process. It is important that the child demonstrate some readiness to use the potty. Before that landmark step occurs, you can begin to lay the foundation in a positive and supportive way.

• Talk about your child’s body and explain that using the potty is something that everyone does.
• Provide a potty in your house so your child feels comfortable around it.
• Allow your child to flush the toilet so they begin to explore how it works.
• Start putting clothes on your child so he can manage himself for potty training, such as elastic waist pants.

Bear in mind that children are usually beginning to have the ability to control their urine and bowel around one year of age. It is important to know this to be realistic about our expectations of young children.

Foster Independence

The Montessori philosophy also says to provide your child with as much independence as possible. Put a small step stool in the bathroom so your child can reach the sink. And when there is an accident, involve your child in the clean-up. Have her help wipe up the floor or put their soiled clothes in the hamper. Then have them put on new clothes as independently as possible.

Your role as a parent is to encourage your child, but try not to become emotionally involved in the process. Keep potty use as part of the routine. Do not offer it as a choice. Just say, “It is time to use the potty.” The Montessori approach to potty training says you should not force your child to use the potty, but you also shouldn’t say, “Do you want to use the potty?” It should simply be part of the routine. You can also set a “potty alarm” as a reminder if that helps.

Don’t Make a Big Fuss

As far as offering scolding or praise, this is where the Montessori approach differs from most conventional potty training approaches. The Montessori approach says never to scold the child for not using the potty or having an accident. On the flip side, don’t over-praise or reward the child when they do use the potty. The Montessori approach views using the potty as a normal thing that should be kept in its proper place. So there should be no celebrating, clapping, or rewarding. Keep it simple and normal, and do not call extra attention to it.

Don’t Interrupt

Another thing that might be different is that the Montessori approach suggests not interrupting the child to use the potty if they are doing something else, such as coloring or playing a game. Wait until they are done with their activity, then tell them it is time to use the potty. They also recommend that if your child has an accident while playing, wait until they are done playing to help them get cleaned up. They say to wipe up the floor around your child, but don’t disrupt what your child is doing.

Applying a potty training philosophy is very personal and must be consistent with your views and philosophies on parenting. Potty training the Montessori way is an excellent method, but it’s not the only one. There are a lot of potty training methods and philosophies out there. As in all parenting situations, it is good to do your homework, familiarize yourself with the different methods, and decide what will work best for your family.