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Everything You Need to Know About Potty Training Girls
Potty training is an exciting milestone for you and your little girl, but you’ll likely have plenty of questions about it. Potty training requires several physical and cognitive skills your little one will need to learn, but with a little creativity and patience, you’ll find potty training your toddler girl easier. Read on to see our tips on potty training girls, from when to start to the steps you can take to make the process smoother.
When to Start Potty Training Girls
Each little girl is different, so if you’re wondering what age to potty train a girl, you’ll find that the best time isn’t actually a specific age, but rather a readiness for potty training. Although most children are ready between 18 and 24 months, some children may not be ready until the age of 3. Both are completely fine, so there’s no need to worry if your little one is a late bloomer. It’s best not to rush things, as starting to potty train girls too soon might negatively affect the process and take longer.
So, the best time is when she shows signs of readiness for potty training.
But how will you know whether it’s time? Here are a few things to pay attention to, like whether she can:
pull down her own pants
stay dry for two hours
walk and sit on a toilet
understand and follow basic directions
inform you when she needs to go.
Most importantly, ask yourself whether your little girl seems interested in using the toilet or spending less time in diapers.
If you mostly answered yes to the above points, then she might be ready for potty training. If you mostly answered no, now may not be the best time for potty training, but you could try again later when she shows more signs of being ready.
Remember that potty training girls is a journey that requires time and patience. It’s also essential to provide positive reinforcement when she succeeds and to avoid expressing anger or visible frustration when you experience setbacks. Allowing her the space to learn the ropes at her own pace will positively enhance the experience.
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How to Potty Train a Girl: Step-by-step
If you’re wondering how to start potty training a girl, there are a few ways. You could use the three-day potty training method or try potty training over time. Regardless of how you decide to train your little girl, remember to stay positive, patient, and consistent.
Here are a few steps to help you begin potty training a girl.
Follow Her Lead and Build Awareness.
The first step towards potty training your girl is knowing when she’s ready. If she starts to tell you when her diaper is soiled or shows interest in using the bathroom, it may be time to introduce potty training. You could also begin the process by allowing her to see you go to the bathroom. This gives you the chance to teach her how it works and demonstrate proper bathroom etiquette, such as washing her hands and flushing the toilet after use. Another handy way of building awareness is including her favorite toys, like a teddy bear, to role-play using the potty. You could also try introducing her to potty training through books and stories. The more excited she is about the potty, the easier the process will be.
Make the Next Steps.
If your little girl can follow instructions and continues to show interest in using the potty, feel free to take the next step forward. Let’s start by allowing her to pick the color and design of the potty so that she feels included in the process and becomes keen to use the potty. You could also let her pick out “big girl” underwear with her favorite colors and characters. If she has a favorite toy, make a potty for them too, so your girl can feel more confident about using hers.
Routine and Structure.
To potty train your little girl, you’ll need to take things at her pace. Keep the potty within easy reach and encourage her to use it when she needs to pee. If she slips up, mop the floor, and try not to make a big deal out of it. That way, she won’t feel anxious or worried about the potty.
You could also encourage her by letting her sit on the potty with her clothes on. This will help her feel more comfortable on the potty and more likely to use it when she needs to go. If she tends to pee or do a number two at certain times of the day, such as after a meal or before a nap, let her sit on her potty around this time and encourage her to use it. Remember to stay patient and encourage her throughout the process.
Go with the Flow.
You’ll be able to figure out the best way to potty train your girl by going with the flow and following her lead. Start by keeping her in loose clothing that’s easy to take off to make potty training easier. You could also try out some hours of “big girl” underwear and no diapers. Remember to keep an eye on her and watch out for signs that she may need to use the bathroom (squirming, swaying, and clutching her legs are often telltale signs). Act as soon as you notice that she needs to go, and encourage her to let you know the next time. Openly communicating will make the process easier for you and her.
Alternatively, you could introduce her to disposable or washable training pants, which can help ease her into using the potty. Training pants work well because they don’t soak up as well as diapers do, and your daughter will be able to tell when she’s wet. You can then encourage her to prevent her training pants from getting wet by using the potty.
Make it Fun!
One of the best ways to keep your child engaged is by making potty training fun for her. You could use games and songs to teach her about hygiene. You could also let her pick her own hand towel and soap to build up her excitement and eagerness to use the bathroom. Remember to emphasize the importance of wiping from front to back and disposing of the toilet paper in the right place.
When your little girl sits on the potty, give her words of encouragement. This will encourage her progress and keep her motivated. You can also give her small rewards as an incentive, such as stickers or her favorite snack. You might find it helpful to use one of our cute potty training charts.
Take the Potty with You.
Consistency is key, so take your potty with you if you go out. This will help your little girl understand that she has to use the potty whenever she needs to go.
Potty Training Tips for Girls
If you’re looking for a step-by-step guide to potty training you can see more in our article or see a few tips and tricks for potty training a girl:
Do it at the Right Time. Consistency is important when potty training your little girl, so try to avoid potty training when you’re in the process of moving or have other changes to her routine.
Promote Positive Talk. Choose which words you’ll use when potty training your girl, and ensure to focus on positive words when referring to their bodily fluids or genitals. Offer praise throughout their potty training and encourage their participation.
Expect Mistakes. Potty training a girl can be challenging, and it’s normal for her to make mistakes. Remember, it’s all part of the learning process. Stay calm, clean up, and encourage her to try again. Your patience and understanding will go a long way in making her feel comfortable and confident.
Ask for Help. Potty training can be a challenging process, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Don’t hesitate to reach out for support. Your child’s daycare provider can be a valuable resource, and other parents who’ve been through this journey can offer helpful tips. Remember, it takes a village to potty train a child.
Retreat if Necessary . The easiest way to potty train a child is when they’re ready and comfortable. Forcing your child to use the potty will only make the experience more difficult and unpleasant for both of you. Be open to the possibility that your little girl might not be ready for potty training now. Simply try again at a later stage.
How Long Does it Take to Potty Train a Girl
There isn’t a fixed timeline on how long potty training a girl should take. Your little girl might be more physically and cognitively ready to take on potty training than another kid and, thus, get the ropes of it quicker.
It could also happen that your girl isn’t yet ready for potty training, and her process takes longer than other girls. Additionally, children with older siblings tend to pick up the process a lot faster as they can imitate their older siblings. That said, there are so many factors that play a role in potty training. Overall, the process should take three to six months for her to fully grasp. If your little girl reaches the age of 4 and still isn’t potty trained, be sure to bring this up to your child’s doctor.
The Bottom Line
Potty training a girl is an exciting milestone that requires time and patience. Only begin the process when your daughter seems ready for this big step—this can happen between 18 to 24 months or at the age of 3 years old. With positive reinforcement and a little creativity, your daughter will get the hang of potty training in a few months. Don’t worry if she’s having a bit of a hard time with potty training, she might just not be ready and it’s perfectly fine to retreat and try again another time.
How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.