How to Potty Train
The Five Potty Training Methods

I think the hardest part of any task (including potty training) is figuring out HOW you are going to do. Once you have figured it out, then it is a matter of getting everything together and just doing it. Not only does this article presents the 5 different ways on HOW to potty train your child, it also presents the pros and cons of each potty training method.

There are many different ways to potty train your toddler. At last count, I had found 35 different books for parents on potty training and I own most of those books. Based on my research and understanding, I break HOW to potty train down into the following five methods:

1. Infant Potty Training Method
2. It's potty time!! - practice until you get it right Potty training Method
3. The Potty Training in One Day Method (aka Dr Phil's Potty Training Method)
4. He will go potty when the time is right Potty Training Method
5. The Naked & $75 method

The Infant Method:

•  Most used potty training method in underdeveloped nations around the world and probably the least used potty training method in North America .

•  It basically involves holding the infant over a potty to catch the eliminations.

•  It basically works by having the mom learn the infant's rhythms and infant learns to recognize physical sensations that precede elimination.

•  This is very effective when the disposable diaper use is minimal or nonexistent.

•  Infants can learn to signal when they need to relieve themselves.

It's potty time!! -Practice until you get it right potty training method:

•  Introduce the potty to your child

•  Have potty be accessible

•  And then gradually teach him/her to use it.

•  This will include:

•  holding regular practice sessions

•  rewarding child with things such as stickers or candy or whatever works for you child

•  charting progress

•  Gradually transitioning from diapers to potty to underwear.

The Potty Training in One Day Method:
(aka Dr Phil's Potty Training Method)

Based on two simple concepts:

1) Best way to learn something is to teach it.

•  Use a potty training doll to model the appropriate potty training behavior for your child

2) Behavior is shaped by consequence

•  Use consequences for action - logical and natural.

Read an excerpt from the Parent's Potty Training Guide: How to Potty Train in One Day.

Watch this video on Why Should You Use the Potty Training in One Day Method

He will go potty when the time is right method:

•  This method is recommended by Dr Terry Brazelton and is also adopted by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

•  This is probably the most used method in North America .

•  The premise of the method is that since potty training is a developmental milestone in your child's life (such as walking, talking, eating etc), your task as the parent is to introduce the potty and all the related tasks to your child.

•  Then when your child is ready, s/he will decide to use the potty and in effect will train themselves.

The Naked & $75 method

•  Children 24 to 30 months of age

•  Parents spend three to five consecutive days on the training.

•  The child is allowed to be naked all day, with a potty available at all times.

•  It is important to note that experts disagree with Rosemond's approach.

•  By the way, the $75 is for the inevitable carpet cleaning.