The Potty Boot Camp

2011-11-16T15:11:00.001-08:00

Below is a candid, yet humorous, account of one family's experience with The Potty Boot Camp. It just goes to show that each and every toddler (and family) will have their own unique twist on how the program will work best for them. Enjoy the read!

Potty Boot Camp

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Starting Potty Boot Camp? Tips from the Trenches

2011-11-07T14:30:00.000-08:00

I received this list of tips and tricks from a mother who recently used The Potty Boot Camp to train her son Oliver. Being an analytical sort, Dana meticulously made notes about her progress through the program and wrote down her insights about various tips that she thought might help make life easier for other parents going through the process.
Below you will find Dana's advice:
Potty Boot Camp
Notes from what I learned from doing the Potty Boot Camp.

Remember, every family does this differently as what works best for them but this is how I did it. Some of my comments below will make more sense after you read Potty Boot Camp.

1. The book:
The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers - online downloadable pdf that is short and a an easy quick read. I printed it and read it on the go in a day but it is easily read from your iPhone or iPad or Kindle.

2. Underpants.
I started with 4 pair of underpants (what I had) and that was not enough. I had to wash a load each night. I would say 6 pair minimum but even more would be better.
I also found that character or animal printed underpants worked as a better transition welcoming him into the underpants world and saying good bye to his diaper which he was so familiar. He became very excited to put on Woody, Buzz or Monkey underpants.

3. A potty.
I found that using a child potty worked much better than the toilet seat insert. With the insert he seemed to have less control for himself with climbing onto the seat and getting himself actually pointed in the potty rather than out at my wall! I know that they will need to learn to use the insert for school and travel and such but for getting familiar with sitting for a long time and doing their business, I found that a potty on the floor is best. It allows them the independence to sit on their own and rest with their feet on the ground while reading or doing other activities while waiting to do their business. Also, be sure it is easy to clean! We have the BabyBjorn Smart Potty - White - Best Price and I really like this one - it is small, comfortable for him, good boy blocker in the front and easy to clean. It is also small enough that you can toss it in the car if you travel a lot.

4. Treats/Prizes.
Hit the Target dollar aisle. Stickers, coloring books, play dough, etc. I found that a color book was a great prize and then good activity while sitting. Suckers were good too. He loves them, knows they are treats and keeps busy eating it for a good 5 min. while sitting. Other ideas: kids flashlight, packs of gummy snacks, a new iphone game.

5. Children's Potty Book.
I had no idea how responsive he would be to a potty book. I honestly assumed they were just an excuse for parents to spend money on another book but my son loves the one I got him and seemed to actually apply what we were reading to his days of training. He quickly memorized what each page said and read it to himself over and over explaining to us that the little boy should NOT go in his diaper but SHOULD use the potty and he would cheer for him each time the end of the book showed that the little boy used the potty. He also seemed to focus on the page where the little boy says bye bye diaper and the page of all the drawings of underpants. He identified which underpants were dada's, mama's, cousin Willem's and his own.

6. Fluids.
My son typically drinks water, watered down OJ and milk but for this I treated him. Motts makes a fruit punch that has no sugar added and 40% less sugar than most juices (meaning lots of water and therefore good for producing urine!) but it tastes a lot more fun than water or OJ so he was excited to drink it. I also used chocolate milk as a prize/treat as he only gets that on special occasions.

7. Activities.
I found that getting him involved in brain sucking actives (tv, movies, iphone/ipad games, even playing with his train set) were dangerous between potty sittings. It was either hard to pull him away when it is time to use the potty or he would forget to tell me he needed to go and would have an accident.

However, a friend gave us this movie which I let him watch during potty training days and 1. he loved it because it was Elmo and 2. he would mimic what he saw- particularly the washing your hands after using the potty. Sesame Street: Elmo's Potty Time [DVD]

Have things for you to do that day as well- things that are easily interruptible. Don't plan to cook long crazy meals that require lots of attention or baking that requires things to be taken out of the oven instantly (I even managed to burn a pot of rice). I make quick meals on days we were potty training all day particularly ones that were ok to eat cold as many times we had to leave eating to use the potty. I spent the time cleaning the bathroom while we were in the potty and other activities like this- folding laundry etc, reading ahead in the Potty Boot Camp book.

Living in a split level house with carpet in many areas I found to be good and bad. Good because if we were in the kitchen where the potty was either up or down stairs, it taught him to hold it for a bit so that we could get there. It was bad in that times where he was too busy to tell me in time, we were not close enough to get to the potty in time and had to travel across carpet to get there. Which brings me to the next item . . .

8. Clean up.
Carpet spot cleaner- I use what we do for pet stains- Nature's Miracle Stain & Odor Remover - Free Shipping
Rags and towels for carpet and solid surface floor clean up.
Wet basket in the bathroom for wet and soiled pants and cleaning rags after accidents between washes.
I keep a container of Seventh Generation Wipes in the bathroom for quick cleaning the potty between frequent potty uses.
Wet diaper wipes or toilet wipes for toddler clean up after accidents and BM's.

9. Timer.
I used my iphone timer and set it to the dog bark sound. He knew that when he heard the dog bark it was time to go to try to use the potty. Now, what happens when we are outside and actually hear a dog bark . . . I will let you know!

10. Tips and Notes.
As soon as he wakes up in the mornings, I take him to the potty, and he is, for some reason, always willing to do so even though he still has on his night time diaper and I have found that if I take him immediately from bed to the potty, he goes. Sometimes it took a few minutes but he would go and after 2 days he was waking up telling me he had to potty first things. Same goes for nap time. He was waking up dry after nap but I had to take him to the potty as soon as he woke and he would always go.

Potty manipulation!
My son quickly learned that anytime he yelled POTTY I would let him out of bed to use the potty. And each time (the first night it was 4 times) he was able to produce urine in the potty each time, thereby justifying his need to get out of bed. I was not sure how to handle this exactly but figured that telling him NO and making him go back to bed and wet in his diaper was counter productive and so I would let him up, but he knew that there were no activities or treats to be had. I think what may help is installing a dimmer switch on your bathroom light and leaving it on the low setting or having a well lit night light in there for night time bathroom usage to keep from blaring the bright lights in their face like you would in the day. If found this was particularly harsh first thing in the morning when the sun was not out and he had to use the potty and not completely awake yet.
It seems that everyone I know who has used Potty Boot Camp to potty train has done it a bit differently as did I based on my schedule. My son is at school every day until 330 but for an entire week, Monday - Sunday, I dedicated our time (when he was not at school) to potty training. M-F from 330 until bedtime I did an amended version of day 1 training. Then on Saturday, all day, I adhered to boot camps day 1 plan. Sunday we did day 2 and Monday I sent him to school in underpants.

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

The Coolest Potty Training Book Ever

2011-11-06T22:29:00.000-08:00

I just found the greatest idea for a book about potty training. It's a story about a toddler learning a "potty dance" - and it stars YOUR child. Wish I had one when I was potty training. It's not cheap, but neither are diapers!

Help with Potty Training!8x11 custom keepsake-quality personalized storybook. Make potty training fun with your child’s dancing adventure around the world.

All books are customized with your child as the star. Child’s name and face are featured throughout story.

Child Afraid to Poop on the Potty? Here's a few tips....

2011-04-28T15:16:00.000-07:00

Here are a few tips if your child is peeing well on the potty but hesitant to poop anywhere but a diaper:

A few things you can try:

1. Provide 'privacy' - some kids just want to go poop in private! (A tent, closet, cozy corner...all can help.)

2. Make it cozy - set up an area with some stuffed animals, books, a favorite blanket.....some kids are just really afraid and need some reassurance.

3. Let him poop ON a diaper...but not in it. Tell him he can use a diaper to poop as long as he is sitting ON the diaper....which you will place ON the potty.

Keep in mind that sometimes the poop training can take a few weeks after starting on pee training.

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Wooden Potty Chairs

2011-04-14T01:52:00.000-07:00

My personal favorite things are the bits of furniture fashioned with small kids at heart. You will find wooden potty chairs emblazoned with both the logo and the style princesses, farm animals, or super heroes. What an excellent selection of wooden potty chairs are available available on the market. There are wooden potty chairs, travel potty chairs that are portable, musical potty chairs, potty chairs for children which may have special needs and others.

Handcrafting these lovely wooden potty chairs has started a significant unique niche in the marketplace today. You will get wooden potty chairs that are plain or fancy. If you wish to get some good idea of how these wooden potty chairs look, think such as one for boys which is grandly named His Majesties Throne. These wooden potty chairs will definitely have a little girl or boy feeling just like a king or queen.

Wooden potty chairs all come with handles to enable parents to move them around with ease. Wooden Potty Chairs utilize disposable potty liners. Also, once the toddler has progressed to using the 'big bathroom' and no longer needs a potty chair, the lid can be closed - turning it into quite a toddler chair.

For a TRULY effective Potty training program that will have your child 90% trained in a couple of days and diaper free in a week, check out "The Potty Boot Camp" by Suzanne Riffel. www.thepottybootcamp.com

Pros and Cons of One Day Potty Training

2011-04-11T01:21:00.000-07:00

Who says it can be done?

Dr. Phil claims the guy can undertake it in one day, I seem to recall that some kid was rewarded by a call from other fave character (a buddy ready to play along) One mom says, "We were skeptical that this method would really guarantee a goodbye to diapers in only one day."

Unfortunately, I don't think it'll work with every child, and the stars would not line up for my particular child while I tried to potty train her in a day. This book offers a system of potty-training that is quick, but elaborate, and potentially a challenging time. Know better than to put a lot of expectations on your daughter.

Another mom says, "I withheld one star from my review because I figured the writer encouraged spending more money for this process than was necessary. I can't rate this book on content because I'm not planning to make this happen technique; it may be the best technique on earth but I am going to never figure out." Yet another says, "My son had two accidents before he actually peed within the toilet and contains had only one since (he couldn't get his pants down in time because he was holding a banana and didn't can deal with it.) After the original two accidents, he stayed dry between sitting on the toilet."

Come to your own conclusions.

For a TRULY effective Potty training program that will have your child 90% trained in a couple of days and diaper free in a week, check out "The Potty Boot Camp" by Suzanne Riffel. www.thepottybootcamp.com

Your Child is Potty Trained - How do you Maintain???

2011-04-06T10:21:00.000-07:00

After a few days of post potty-boot camp interval training it is time to get your child back into clothes. Obviously they can’t run around naked for too much longer and it is time to take the major step of buying underwear! It is important to bring your child to the store with you so they can choose their own underwear, as this will get them more excited about wearing them and give them a sense of ownership of the underwear. Praise them for taking this step, for becoming a “big boy” or “big girl” with special underwear. Tell them they have graduated from potty boot camp and are now a “potty star!”

To wean your child off using the timer, you will have to be responsible for reminding them every 30-45 minutes to use the potty. How you word this request is important. Every parent with a toddler knows that every question they ask their child gets answered with a “NO!” so make the request a statement rather than a question. Try “Time to use the potty” rather than “Do you have to go potty?”

It’s very likely that you may see some regression in your child’s potty habits at the point when they start using underwear. This may be caused by episodes of “bladder memory”. When your child feels the absorbent underwear material on their bottom they awaken the memories of diaper usage and begin to unconsciously let themselves go in their underwear. If this happens, continue to use the timer until your child is having fewer accidents.

Potty training maintenance is sometimes more difficult than the potty training itself. The excitement of the initial success of potty training has worn off and now you are in constant reminder mode. As a parent you feel like a nag, but you must be vigilant and consistent. At least every thirty minutes you must remind your child that is time to use the potty. They will be able to tell you at this point if there is a need to go, but don’t wait for them to tell you.

Accidents will happen at this stage, it is inevitable, and there will be episodes of frustration for both children and parents. Remember to think of this as a learned skill that your children are slowly acquiring. When they learned to walk there were often accidents as well but eventually they did stop wobbling and began to move forward with confidence. So it is with potty training, unsteady and unreliable in the beginning but progressing nicely over time to the point where they can be completely trusted and self-sufficient.

The key for parents is not to expect a dramatic change too soon. If you are hoping your child will recognize the urge, go to the potty, pull down their pants, wipe and flush and cleanup all by themselves after graduating from potty boot camp then you are bound to be disappointed. There will be gradual progress and frequent regression, but when they are fully independent then you will wonder at how it seems they were always doing this by themselves.

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Using Clean-up as a Technique to Motivate Your Child During Toilet Training

2011-01-31T10:34:00.000-08:00

Countless parents ask me personally throughout their toilet training process in what way to give their child that additional dose of encouragement to use the toilet. A common sense and simple tip I have provided is to have the youngster help in the cleanup of accidents. Instilling a feeling of personal accountability actually enables you to motivate your toddler to use the bathroom instead of the carpet!

The manner in which you behave as well as speak while tidying up is actually pretty important. When she has an accident, come up with a look on your face that conveys "ick!" Convey to her she is required to tidy up her gross, yucky, pee pee or poo clothing and also the icky mess on the floor.

Never act mad or even irritated whatsoever, but make it crystal clear to her that this is something that is icky and she or he has got to deal with. Make her remove her own garments. The first time one does this, show her in depth exactly what she has to achieve - but there after make her get it done by herself, making her do every step.

Tidy the floor to begin with. This will make her be in her wet clothes a little longer, and that is a motivator to not have it occur yet again. Then make her wipe herself down - if it is really messy you could take her to the bath tub and have her give herself a rinse-down. You will likely be silently cringing while doing this entire cleanup because she is prone to make the mess even worse as opposed to better!)

Immediately after she takes off the dirty clothes, pick them up like they are polluted with nuclear waste materials and bring all of them to the sink. ( Of course get rid of the poop from the panties in to the potty to start with.) Inform her she has to wash her icky clothes simply because they're now stinky and dirty from her pee or poop. Demonstrate to her tips on how to operate the water, place the knickers beneath the tap, squeeze and rinse out. Next take her towards area you want her to put her dirty under wear.

Show major relief - "Whew, that is certainly a whole lot better now that you are not soiled and icky any more!" Go find some good fresh knickers.

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Xmas Card 2010

2010-12-10T12:47:00.001-08:00

Love 2010 Christmas Card

Turn your unique photos into Christmas cards with Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Join The Potty Boot Camp Affiliate Program!

2010-10-20T11:00:00.000-07:00

Thousands of families have successfully used The Potty Boot Camp to toilet train their toddlers....many of who have been recommending the book to family and friends for years. We have been so grateful for the positive word of mouth, yet wanted to give even more incentive to 'spread the word!'.

This month The Potty Boot Camp is launching our first official Affiliate Program. Through the program, affiliates can earn an 80% commission on all sales of the eBook through The Potty Boot Camp website. The program is administered by E-Junkie.com, so all sales are tracked and commissions paid monthly. To join, only a PayPal email address is required.

Detailed instructions on how to join our affiliate program can be found in the document below. Feel free to also email suzanne@thepottybootcamp.com for more information or with any questions.

Click Here for Detailed Affiliate Program Information

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

When to Begin the Task of Potty Training

2010-08-11T15:12:00.000-07:00

When is the best time frame to begin potty teaching? Ask that query anyplace parents are together and you will obtain a different answer from every couple and most likely a heated discussion will begin!

There certainly is no right answer to this issue. The most critical factor in considering when to get started potty training is to trust your parental intuition. Each and every kid is completely different and develops in different ways. Only you, as dad or mom, can recognize the signs and be able to intuitively recognize when the moment is right to begin toilet training.

There are actually a number of signals that you should watch for however and some conditions that will make it simpler to potty train. Your young child should be able to communicate using a few simple words; 'toilet', 'urine' 'poop' etc.. They should also have the ability to fully understand the difference between wet and dry, so that you can help your child understand the notion that wet is incorrect and dry is good.

An argument in favor of earlier potty training, moms and dads should keep in mind that the more mature your youngster gets the more difficult it may be for him or her to escape the diaper habit. Also, keep in mind the realities of toddler growth; your lovely infant soon develops into a terrible young child past the age of two and a half. The stubborn, rowdy and demonstrative young child who replies each question with an decisive 'NO' is going to be more difficult to potty train.

Earlier potty training has its historic precedents. In 1957, 92% of children were toilet trained by the age of 18 months. In the period before throw away diapers, when mums had to wash unclean baby diapers by hand, moms and dads were much more determined to toilet train earlier. Things evolved with the introduction of the d isposable baby diaper, supported by the plenty of reports touting the 'child-centric' strategy to toilet training. It's important to point out, at the possibility of sounding cynical, that a number of of these scientific studies were commissioned by the companies who manufacture disposable nappies. The most well-known is one published by Dr. Brazelton in 1961 that came to the decision that mothers and fathers should hold out 'until the youngster is completely ready' to get started toilet training. The analysis was commissioned by Proctor and Gamble, the premier supplier of disposable baby diapers.

When you can reply to these three things with a 'Yes!' then you are prepared to start potty training:

1. Can she or he go two to three hours with a dry diaper?

2. Can reply to fundamental instructions?

3. Are either you or your child confident enough to know when he or she is about to urinate or poop?

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Child Will Pee Anywhere BUT the Potty......

2010-06-05T23:04:00.000-07:00

Search Amazon.com for potty boot campAnother Question and Answer Post!

Question:

I started the boot camp program and my daughter is more than happy to go on the potty but when it comes time for her to actually "go" she frantically tries to get off. I have had times of her going pee just a little bit and then she hops off the potty and seems scared. I will put her back on (30min) and try to get her to go, but she just holds it until I put a diaper on her or she will run off and go somewhere else to pee. If I catch her running off to pee somewhere else I rush her back to the potty, but she still holds it.

We thought that maybe it was because she was using the big potty instead of a toddler potty so we got her a toddler potty and the same thing occurs. I ask her where the pee goes and she points to the appropriate place. I am at a complete loss.

Any advice you could give would be very helpful.

Answer:

Thanks for writing. It sure does sound like your daughter officially has fear about letting her pee fall into the potty. This is actually not uncommon, believe it or not. In a toddler's mind, their pee and poop is a part of their body... imagine how afraid you might be if you thought a part of your body was falling into the toilet!

I have a couple of ideas. You might also want to read a blog post I wrote in answer to another parent's question when she encountered the same problem with her child. Here is the link to that blog post:

http://thepottybootcamp.blogspot.com/2010/01/toddler-is-scared-to-pee.html.

In addition to the ideas given in the blog post, you can also try to gradually acclimate her to sitting on the potty while peeing. You do this by having her sit on the potty while wearing her diaper. If it works, you can gradually remove the diaper. Some parents have had luck with laying a diaper on top of the potty, and having the child sit on top of it. Finally, you can try something called the "bathtub technique". The bathtub technique almost always causes a child's bladder to relax without them consciously being aware of it happening... and when they realize that they peed on the potty (and that it did not hurt and that it was not scary) it can sometimes help overcome that initial hurdle.

Here is a link to the bathtub technique:

http://thepottybootcamp.blogspot.com/2009/12/bathtub-can-help-your-toddler-overcome.html

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

PottyTraining an 18 Month Old - When You Hit a Bump in the Road....

2010-01-26T15:04:00.000-08:00

Question:

First of all, thanks for writing and publishing this book. I know its been great for a lot of people. Three weeks of hard work, and we are tempted to give up.

Our daughter is 18 months old and was showing signs that she was ready. She would even urinate when we put her on the potty. I believe we followed the method very closely. We thought she was doing well, but she never really self-initiated until the second or third day.

Three weeks later she is still having several accidents a day and is very reluctant to poop in the potty. She has let us know she needs to go a hand full of times which we celebrate exuberantly. But usually, we end up seeing the warning signs and asking her if she will go to the potty. To this she often replies, "NO" shaking her head. I know it is impossible for you to diagnose what when wrong without seeing all we did. But after reading your book and how confident you were that this would work and that it works for everybody else, we really feel like we failed our daughter. We put her (and ourselves) through a lot of stress and have very little to show for it except several stains on the carpet. Sorry to be a downer, but I needed to vent. Are we the only ones that go through this?

TO READ THE ANSWER AND THE REST OF THE ARTICLE CLICK HERE

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Can Witholding Pee Cause Physical Problems?

2010-01-11T13:21:00.000-08:00

Below is a link to a great article from the Harvard Medical School Health Publications about withholding urine.

A summary of key points in the article:

1. NO, your bladder cannot "burst" if you hold your pee too long. (Well, there are some strange and uncommon reasons it COULD...but they are rare.)

2. YES, it is slightly possible that CHRONIC withholding may cause more frequent urinary tract infections. (UTIs.)

Below is the link to the full text of the article. It's a good read!

Can Your Bladder Really Burst?

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Toddler is Scared to Pee

2010-01-09T16:29:00.000-08:00

Question:

I have a 22 month old son and we started the Potty Training Boot Camp system on Saturday morning. He did fine, having 3 accidents and 2 successes, but he did not self-initiate. This morning I got up prepared to repeat day 1 until nap. However, today was different. He had 3 accidents this morning and cried when he had each accident and when he got on the potty. He had 1 success and cried during that as well. He stayed dry during nap and then woke up and peed on the potty. He did not go again for the rest of the afternoon/evening. We stayed on the regiment, 20 minutes off with 5 minutes on, and he was very agreeable, he just would not pee. He had plenty to drink, self-initiated 5 times, but every time he got on the potty he cried and wouldn't pee. I put him in the tub to see if that would help and he cried and told me he had to go potty. I took him to the potty and he cried.
The long and short of it is that I think he is scared to pee. Looking back on the last 2 days I realize that when he started to have an accident I would sweep him up and put him on the potty to finish. I think that this has conveyed to him that peeing is not good, so he thinks he needs to hold it.

Any ideas on how I can undo the fear that I have created and continue on in the training process? Or is this something that will go away on its own?

Answer:

Thanks for writing. It does indeed sound like your son has developed a fear of using the potty. Do you think he had any negative experiences, such as a painful urine stream? Or do you think it is simply from the "rushing to the potty" episodes?

Here are a couple of ideas that you could consider:

1) Take him to the store and let him pick out a brand new "not scary" potty. Putting the decision in his hands might empower him.

2) Do the "hug" technique - sounds strange - but tell him you will wrap your arms around him and give him big hugs while he's on the potty. (You can also let him hold a favorite stuffed animal.)

3) Move his potty to a special, cozy, "safe" place (they give kids reassurance.) Ask HIM where he would be most comfortable using the potty. (Even if it's a corner of the closet!) Call it his "special potty place".

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Child Will Use the Potty Without Accidents - But Will Only Go When Told

2010-01-07T13:06:00.000-08:00

Question:

We purchased your book back in May of 2009. At that time our son was 2 years 10 months. He was showing some signs of readiness, so we decided to go ahead and give it a shot since we were hoping to have him start preschool in August. We followed your method and it seemed to work for a little while, but then we found that he wasn't really potty trained, but schedule trained. August came and we decided to give preschool a shot since we knew they would take him potty and he seemed eager to try school. He has done great at school and has not had an accident thus far in 4 months at school. I credit this to their schedule though. They take them once an hour over the course of the day.

The reason I am writing is that we have been attempting to potty train our son now for 7 months and he continues to be schedule trained. He will not tell us he has to go to the bathroom, but if he take him throughout the day or when we see cues (pee pee dance) he never has an accident. Having an accident does not seem to bother him, and he is now 3 and a half. We are not sure what to do. I feel like our options at this point are to keep doing what we are doing hoping at some point he initiates, go back to diapers until he initiates (this means taking him out of school) or start using punishments.

We desperately need advice and would appreciate any feedback you could give us based on our situation.

Answer:

First of all, congratulations on having a child that rarely has accidents! It sounds like you are 98% of the way there and now we just need to give him that little extra push to get to the end.

My recommendation at this point is to actually stop taking him on a schedule. This will likely mean accidents for a few days but he sounds bright and it sounds like he understands all of the concepts... and so he should catch on quickly. You can start by continuing to take them on a schedule, however take him less frequently so that he has more chance to self-initiate. If you are taking him every hour, start by taking him every two hours. I would recommend considering re-instituting some sort of reward system so that he can get positive feedback when he does self initiate. Sit down with him and have a conversation. Let him know that he will now be expected to tell you when he needs to use the potty. Do, however let him know that he will be rewarded for doing so. Also let him know that if he goes pee in his pants and he will be fully responsible for cleaning himself up.

You might want to try this over a weekend when you don't mind if you have a few puddles in your house! I bet he will catch on quickly when given the opportunity. It sounds a little bit like he has just settled into a routine in which he waits for others to remind him when to go. I bet he will catch on quickly once that responsibility is thrown back into his lap.

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Child Witholding Pee While Potty Training

2010-01-05T12:57:00.000-08:00

Question:

We purchased your book, and love your approach, and are on Day 3, with some success! Actually only one accident, and some self-initiation, which we're so proud of.

Here are the details, and my questions!

1. Our daughter is 2 1/2, and showed all signs of potty-readiness... language, interested, ability to distinguish wet and dry, and ask to be changed immediately after peeing/pooping, etc...

2. We tried training back in Oct, but our 4 days of trying, with no real strategy were fraught with stress, and crying, and withholding of pee... so we decided to try again another time.

Well, since my husband had a 4 day weekend over New Years, and I needed some help, we decided to try again, after purchasing your book.

We're encountering some "withholding" of pee-pee, and poop, for that matter - AGAIN! Our daughter will hold it for as long as she possibly can, until she's visibly uncomfortable, and then we can read her signals, and get her to the potty. Or sometimes, she'll ask to go potty. At which point she'll pee or poop. She's very proud of herself, and loves the rewards. But I can't help but worry that she's causing herself, (and me) more stress, and even physical harm by doing this. She's only peeing about 2-3 times per day, and I know if I drank as much as she did, I'd be in the bathroom more than twice as often!
Should I be worried? Is there anything I can do to avoid this, or get her over this hump? Any advice would be great!

Answer:

It actually sounds like your daughter is doing great so far. I wouldn't worry too much about the withholding at this point. She is still going 2-3 times per day, which is not perfectly ideal but still acceptable. I would only worry if she starts to "leak" into her panties but not go to the toilet afterwards. That would tell us that she is somehow miraculously holding it beyond her muscle capability. Most kids/people in general cannot physically hold urine long enough, consistently enough, to cause themselves a problem.

I think she will settle into a more normal pattern once she becomes more comfortable with her new skills. Poop is another issue. As long as she is going at least once every 48 hours you have no reason to worry...but if it drags into 3 or 4 days it can turn into a serious condition called encopresis. You would want to consult a pediatrician at that point.

So, overall... no worries! She is doing terrific and is right on track.

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Child Refusing to Poop on the Potty? Try the "Gradual Withdrawal Technique"

2009-12-30T10:22:00.000-08:00

Question:

I used the Potty Boot Camp with my son when he was 22 months old. The potty training part was a complete success by the afternoon of day one. However, he refuses to poopy in the potty and it has been over 6 months now. He will not go in his pants he will specifically ask for his "special undies" (pull-up). I have tried leaving him in his room with his potty chair only to find feces on the floor and very very upset toddler. I have tried taping pictures of toys that he wants by his potty and having a reward bowl in the bathroom as well with no success. I have tried talking to him about it and reading "wheres the poop." He has continually watched his father use the toilet again with no success. I am really at a loss with this? I have not wanted to force him to do it because I fear he will hoard it. He is obviously fearful of pooping in the potty and I desperately need some advice with this. PLEASE HELP!!!!

Answer:

This problem is sooo frustrating but you are not alone!

I am going to recommend a technique I call the "gradual" withdrawal process for your son. It might work well for him since he is obviously well aware of when he needs to go....especially since he asks for his pull-up. Here is how the technique works:

1.Tell him that he can use his diaper to poop, but he must first tell you when he's going to go. (Do this for about three or four days. After that, do the following steps, each for a few days to a week before moving on to the next.)

2. Next, he has to tell you AND he has to be standing in the bathroom.

3. Then, he has to tell you AND he needs to be sitting on the potty (in his diaper) when he goes.

4. Next, do the above steps, but cut a hole in the diaper before giving it to him. Make the hole bigger and bigger each time.

5. Finally, get rid of the diaper!

The other thing you can try is a "poopy place." Some kids just feel very insecure about going - ask him where he wants to put his "pooping potty" and together make it a special place. A great thing to do is buy a child's play tent (or make a homemade version with sheets, etc.) and make a cozy little area over the potty. Some kids just want privacy and a place they feel safe! You can fill it with stuffed animals, pillows, etc....anything to make him feel comfortable.

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Potty Boot Camp Day 1 and 2 Question - Naked, Underwear, or Training Pants during Potty Training??

2009-12-15T16:21:00.000-08:00

In "The Potty Boot Camp" program, I encourage parents to use non-padded training pants the very first day of training and to go naked during days 2-4. The question below is from a mother who didn't read the book until AFTER the first day and therefore used underwear on Day #1. Her question and my response follow:

Question:

I started first day in underwear instead of training pants/ pull ups, should I still have her be naked next few days? She has just been wearing underwear the whole time (no other clothes.)

Answer:

I would go ahead and do the "naked" intervals even though you started in
underwear. UNLESS, that is, she is doing really well in underwear with
hardly any accidents. Then go ahead and stick with the panties.

Reason:

The purpose behind the "non padded" training pants are that they do NOT feel like diapers to the child. "Non-padded" training pants are basically just like underwear but have a few layers of material instead of just one. These help (slightly) to catch messes compared to regular underwear. Underwear on Day #1 is actually a GOOD option as well - albeit it might mean more cleanup for Mom or Dad!

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

The Bathtub Can Help Your Toddler Overcome Fear of the Potty!

2009-12-07T16:40:00.000-08:00

My best suggestions for Potty Training usually come as a result of helping to troubleshoot when parents write me about bumps in the road as they go through Potty Boot Camp. The following post is between myself and a Mom whose 32 month old daughter is crying each time she uses the potty - usually without success. Follow through beginning with her original question through our entire conversation below:

Question:

We've been doing Potty Boot Camp since Friday with limited success. My daughter (32 months) cries every time she is peeing on the potty. Is this normal? She has pooped once on the potty, and did not cry. She has not self initiated either; we're still going based on the timer.

Any advice you can offer would be great.

First Reply:

Sorry, I'm going to have a bunch of questions for you before I can help :)

Why do you think she is crying? Fear, or pain, or just to complain? What is your gut feeling? It isn't a typical response..especially for a 32 month old. We hear of this a lot in the little ones (18-22 mo.)

The reason behind it will help me tell you what next steps to take. Is she having a lot of accidents, or not? What are you using for timer intervals?

Mom's Response:

My gut tells me that it is fear. She pushes up on the potty with her hands while she's trying to go, like she doesn't want her legs to touch. We are having a lot of accidents, and she doesn't cry during those, and they are often within 10 minutes of getting off the potty. After I wrote you this morning, she told me three times that she needed to go - one was a false alarm, and then has had three accidents followed by one self initiation in the last few hours.

Our time intervals Fri-Sun were 10 minutes off, 5 on. Today I've done 20 off, 5 on, and 30 if she went. We don't have any trouble getting her to sit, and she'll often sit for 15 minutes if we're reading to her.

I feel like she finally understood the sensation Saturday night when she stood up in the bathtub and said she needed a diaper while pee was running down her leg. She even pooped on the potty on Sunday morning, but not since.

Second Reply:

It sure sounds like she is holding it until she just can't do so anymore....and even holds it when she's on the potty....likely due to the fact that it just simply scares her to let it go into the potty! I would try something called the "bathtub" technique. (I've copied it from another email:)

Bathtub Technique:

To get her to fully relax her bladder, you can try a little trick I have found to work well. Put her potty in the bathtub. Sit her on it (barefoot),and then turn on the bath water. Between the sound of the running water and the warm water on her toes, it almost always gets them to go! For obvious reasons, you will always want to do this supervised. Once she starts to recognize the sensation of what it feels like to "let it all out" it'll help
her do it on a more regular basis.

This will likely help her realize that it doesn't hurt, and it isn't scary.....low and behold it just happened without her hardly noticing!!!

If she has a success, go ahead and stick with the 30 minute intervals. That is GREAT news you finally got a self-initiation. She's on her way! Now we just need to conquer her fear of "letting go." Keep using the bathtub for a few days if needed..you can gradually work it out of the tub and back onto the floor.

Let me know how that goes!

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Child is Pee Trained, but Still Not Pooping in the Potty

2009-12-05T11:12:00.000-08:00

I received recently an email from a parent whose little girl is 99% pee trained using The Potty Boot Camp. Her daughter is rarely having accidents but still is not pooping in the toilet. Below is her question and my reply.

Question:

"E" is 99% potty-trained for pee in the potty, but that last transition of poop in the potty seems to be tough. she tries: "E" pushing poo poo out. No, just pee pee."
She has pooped in the potty before -- a few months ago I caught her pooping in her diaper and ran her over to finish on the potty successfully. And one month ago she was peeing and noticed she pushed a bit of poop out then.

I don't think she is scared of pooping in the potty, it just isn't happening for some reason.

How do I get through this? she now poops about every other day, sometimes the poop is in her nap time diaper or pull up. I don't think she will poop in her panties, the stigma is bad enough that she seems to know that isn't an option.

Answer:

The poop issue many times will resolve on its own given time. Especially when the child is doing well in every other aspect- like yours! It is much more of a problem when the child is 'sneaking' off to poop, hiding, or going in their underwear.

You can try to make it a separate 'event' - once per day have a 'poop' sit. (around nap time, maybe). Tell her you are going to work on getting the poop out. Maybe use the little potty instead of the big one.... Or the big instead of the little. (whatever is different from what she is using for pee.)

Just try to make it a special event- a cozy stuffed friend to hold, special music, a book - tell her you are going to stay until she goes (or at least tries for a while)......

She is doing so well I bet it will all fall into place soon!

Another source for parents to help with "poop problems" is Where's the Poop?, available from Amazon.com and other major booksellers. I have heard feedback from many parents that it's light-hearted approach has helped many children overcome hesitation about using the potty.

Potty Training Your Child is Just Like Potty Training a.......Whale???

2009-12-03T14:02:00.000-08:00

An interesting concept...teaching your child to pee on command based on training methods to teach whales? Chuck Tompkins, a Sea World animal trainer, has authored a parenting book based on techniques he has used to successfully train animals. Check out the story below:

Tompkins is Sea World's head of animal training and co-author of the new book "Whale Done Parenting: How to Make Parenting a Positive Experience for You and Your Kids."

An Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

How to "Sneak" Extra Fiber Into Your Toddler's Diet

2009-11-09T21:50:00.000-08:00

During potty training, it is not uncommon for toddlers to develop constipation or " stool withholding," to the point that it might be days between a bowel movements. When this happens, it is very important for parents to try to add fiber to their child's diet. A lot of children at this age are very picky eaters so it might be difficult to add a fiber is foods. Instead, parents can sneak a bit of fiber into the diet by using commercially prepared products like Metamucil or Benefiber.

One method is to add Metamucil (unflavored) in your child's milk or juice every morning. It is odorless and tasteless so he likely will not know it is there. A general rule of thumb is to use ½ of the recommended adult dose. In addition, try to offer your child high fiber foods like prunes or apples if he will accept it.

If constipation persists for more than three or four days, consult your pediatrician.

Eight good resource for parents about childhood constipation is the book "Overcoming Childhood Bladder and Bowel Problems." (See below.)

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Decorate Your Toilet to Motivate Your Toddler

2009-11-06T11:02:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for a fun way to motivate your toddler two head to the bathroom, check out Toilet Tattoos. Touted as a " fun and whimsical way" to decorate your bathroom, the company that manufactures this product has a wide variety of designs available.

Three of the designs are in particular specific to toilet training. According to the Toilet Tattoos company, "The first toilet training chart designed for direct application to the toilet lid. It not only provides the child with an immediate connection between the desired behavior and the reward, but also teaches the child to put down the toilet lid after using the commode. The child applies the reward sticker to the Toilet Tattoo themselves, exercising their hand-eye coordination. Works on even the most resistant child!"

Many parents have used stickers as a toilet training reward for many years. The toilet tattoo company has provided a unique twist to the standard sticker chart because the sticker gets applied directly to the toilet! What little one does not enjoy defacing your home by applying stickers in places where they typically should not??

The Toilet Tattoosare available from Amazon.com or directly from the Toilet Tattoos website at http://www.toilet-tattoos.com/ .

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Which is more environmentally friendly? Cloth or Disposable diapers? The answer might surprise you....

2009-10-27T12:38:00.000-07:00

The article below is a great read. It discusses in depth the environmental impact from both disposable AND cloth diapers. Intuitively, most people think that cloth diapering is more environmentally friendly....but surprisingly, this might not be the case!

A better solution is to stop diapers as soon as possible and potty train while your children are still young. The Potty Boot Camp program encourages training before the age of two. For more information, visit or main site at http://www.thepottybootcamp.com/ .

Click HERE to read the article about diapers and the environment.

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Potty Trained Five Year Old with Unique Nighttime Pee Problem

2009-10-13T23:10:00.000-07:00

Question:

"My son is five years old. I potty trained him when he was two but he had troubles during the night up until a few months ago, when he finally stopped having bed-wetting accidents. Over the past few weeks, he has started getting up in the middle of the night, walking a couple feet, and then proceeds to pee wherever he is at the moment! I have caught him a few times and tried to get him to stop, but he doesn't even seem to register that I am talking to him. I walk him to the bathroom where he finishes going pee, and then I quietly lead him back to bed and he falls right back asleep. I am sure this is some sort of sleep walking but why is he doing it? Any suggestions on how to resolve the issue? will he grow out of it? Should I take him to the Doctor?

Answer:

This is actually not an uncommon problem. One parent told me about child who even peed in the refrigerator one night! When this occurs, the child is truly unaware of what he is doing.

You might want to wake him up at night before you go to bed and take him to the bathroom. Emptying his bladder might made a difference. You could also fashion some kind of "bell" on a string that he might walk into in hope that it will wake him.

Many pediatricians say that sleep disorders of any kind are actually due to a lack of sleep. It might be a good idea to re-evaluate his sleep habits and make sure he is getting in plenty of hours each night. Most young toddlers need 10 or more hours every day.

If the sleepwalking/"sleep peeing" doesn't resolve itself in a few weeks, consider seeking help from your pediatrician or other sources. One website resource you might want to consider is "Help with Sleep Problems."

Overall, hang in there. Like most things with kids, this too will pass.

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

The Potty Boot Camp for Children with Autism and other Special Needs

2009-10-12T11:27:00.000-07:00

Many parents ask me if the potty boot camp will also work for their child with special needs. The answer is "yes!" Children with developmental delays, autism, or other special needs do respond well to the program. Generally speaking, these children will take longer to train than a child without these challenges. Ultimately, however, the program is just as successful. Parents of special needs children simply need to maintain consistency, expect frustration, be very patient, and remember to smile!

Below is a link to the MomsLikeMe.com message boards, where one mother reports on her child's success with the program.

Click here to read the full post:

Special Needs Children Potty Training

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Free Potty Training Kit, Chart, and Trophy

2009-10-04T20:06:00.000-07:00

I am not a huge fan of pull-up style training pants - essentially they are diapers that pull-on. When potty training, it makes a child feel exactly like he is wearing diapers.....which obviously is a deterrent to learning how to use the toilet!

That being said, however, the kind people at Pampers are giving away a free potty training kit. The kit includes:

• A free sample of Easy Ups Trainers
• High-value coupons
• Fun stickers & coloring pages
• Step-by-step potty training tips
• Potty Progress Chart
• Dora or Diego training trophy

Some of these items will surely come in handy when going through potty training with your young one - especially the progress chart, stickers, and trophy.

You can get your free kit from Pampers online. Click HERE

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Having Trouble Potty Training Your Stubborn Child? Here are some helpful tips...

2009-09-27T15:18:00.000-07:00

The article below has some great tips that apply to ALL aspects of parenting - not just potty training. The key point here is that giving negative behaviours a lot of attention can actually perpetuate the problem.

Have a look at the article here:

Tips for Parenting Stubborn Children

I have also found the following book to be an INCREDIBLE resource and well worth your time:

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

New Potty Training Scrapbook Pages!

2009-09-16T11:09:00.001-07:00

I am always jealous of my friends who are creative and take the time to make super-cute scrapbook pages of their children's proudest moments. (My creativity extends to placing photos in a photo album.) For you handy-types who would like to documents your child's toilet-training adventures, there are new custom-made pages and elements available from a site called Statements by Jodi.

Check it out - This kit is perfect for scrapping your child’s potty training adventure. It’s also great for those big kid underwear photos!

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Using Bribery During Potty Training - Yes, It Can Be a Necessary Evil

2009-08-28T12:25:00.000-07:00

I am a firm believer in using a little bit of bribery when potty training. It is one of those parenting moments when I say, "go for it" it it helps! Common bribes include candy, "forbidden toys", stickers, and even money. Some parents use sticker charts that help the child "save up" for a bigger prize. The bottom line is that you can let go of any 'parental guilt' involved with potty training. Bribe away and don't lose a moment's sleep over it!

Although bribery (aka 'positive reinforcement') works well for most children, some do better with verbal praise or even negative reinforcement. For your child, try, try, and try again until you discover his 'currency.' If something doesn't seem to be a powerful motivator, move on to something different. (Sometimes parenting just requires some good old common sense!)

Below is a sample 'sticker chart' commercially available product for parents to consider:

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Tried and True Potty Training Tips

2009-08-27T10:48:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to a great article about one mom's experience with potty training and the "tips and tricks" she learned along the way:

Potty Training Tips

And, on a totally unrelated note, my daughter saw these on TV this morning. Interesting concept....a hamster cage and system like the old "Habitrail" I had as a kid...minus the pooping the peeing hamster! What do you all think of them? Cute!

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Video About When to Start Potty Training

2009-08-24T09:26:00.000-07:00

This video has a lot of "common sense" potty training tips, but I really the the one about bringing along a portable potty where ever you go. A lot of kids are incredibly afraid of the sound of commercial flush toilets. (Those things are LOUD!) Even my four year old is still terrified of them and she's been potty trained since 20 months old. Having a familiar portable toilet can ease anxiety and make a child less likely to fight a trip to the bathroom.

A good selection of travel potties can be found on Amazon.com. My favorite is the On the Go Potty because it fits in a diaper bag. (See below)

Watch CBS Videos Online

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Compelling Reasons to Consider Infant Potty Training

2009-08-06T11:56:00.000-07:00

Below is a link to an article by Laurie Boucke, which outlines the medical community's views on infant potty training (also known as elimination communication.) She gives a very unique perspective on the topic - and how BILLIONS of people in the world think it is very natural and typical to never diaper their children. She also presents on of the best arguments I've ever hear about why early potty training is not damaging to children.

"If any harm is caused during any form of toilet training or any other aspect of child-rearing, it is generally caused by the overall parental approach, behavior and use of punishment (and not the fact that you are potty training an infant). In other words, there may be parents who are not ready for IPT, whereas a healthy infant in a stable and loving environment is ready if you are."

Click below to read Laurie's article. It is compelling reading.

Medical Views on Infant Potty Training

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Many Good Reasons to Potty Train Early

2009-08-04T09:42:00.001-07:00

I LOVE this article. The author lays out a number of reasons to consider potty training your child while they are young. She and I are like-minded on this subject and I congratulate her for taking time to educate parents about this topic.

Read the full article below:

Infant potty training: the sensible approach for Single Moms

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School-Age Children Sent to School - Still in Diapers!

2009-08-02T08:45:00.000-07:00

This story from the UK talks about a growing trend - that of students in primary school still being in diapers. Read the full story - your jaw will be on the floor by the end.

I'm sorry, but this the most outrageous thing I have ever heard! People are sending their school aged children to school, expecting their TEACHERS to deal with it, and then threatening to sue if the school doesn't want to - All while claiming the school is violating some disabilities act.

Parents, take responsibility and don't add yet another burden to our already over-crowded, under-funded schools and get your children to use the toilet like millions of other "tiny citizens" who have learned at a more appropriate age.

That's my rant for today.

Pupils start school still in nappies - Telegraph

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Astrology and Toilet Training????

2009-07-24T10:31:00.001-07:00

I'm a pretty practical, scientifically-minded type gal. So, when I heard about a new book that help you utilize your child's star signs as a guide to potty training it made me raise an eyebrow. I'm never one to fully discount ANYTHING that might work, however, so if you are of a mindset that might find this information useful, I'd like to pass along the information.

The book is entitiled "Star Parenting: What astrology reveals about your child's personality and potential," by Sherrynne Dalby.

The text is described as a "lively, accessible and detailed guide. Sherrynne explores the sun signs and their relationships to planetary movement and alignment, and how this affects our children; their strengths, vulnerabilities, traits and potential."

"More than just astrology, more than just parenting, this book goes in depth to explain why our children reach their milestones at different ages, why some rebel, why some are good at sports, why some of them are artists, why some dream and why some lead."

"A fresh, approachable and contemporary format, Star Parenting will help parents understand the strengths and levels of their child, how to encourage and nurture them and help them thrive."

"Packed full of practical tips, the book covers a whole range of issues from toilet training and suitable activities for that child, to the best feeding and sleeping routines."

The author is Australian, and it appears the book has limited availablity in the U.S. - but I did find availability on Amazon.com. Click below to learn more:

Springwood author's parenting tips from the cosmos - Local News - News - General - Penrith Star

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How to Teach your Child How to Wipe...and a whole lot of other useful teaching tools!

2009-07-23T22:15:00.001-07:00

From author Allison Pennell is a great article about teaching your kids how to do everything from wiping themselves to tying their shoes. It's written in a light-hearted and easy to read manner - you'll thoroughly enjoy the read!

Summary:
“I can do it myself!” Surely, a battle cry for the ages? well, ages 2-18. In the spirit of the DIY revolution, we’ve put together our own home schooling guide, Babble style. Here are 25+ tips and how-to’s for teaching kids lots of useful and, frankly, not-so-useful-but-really-fun new skills, from floating in the pool to curing an ice-cream headache to losing like a winner. — Allison Pennell

Click Below to Read Allison's article:
The Babble Do-It-Myself Guide | Insight | Comment Page 1 | Babble Australia#comment-6526#comment-6526#comment-6526#comment-6526

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Child Will Not Poop on the Potty? Maybe it is a control issue...

2009-07-21T20:58:00.001-07:00

I know this article is entitled "Soothing themselves to sleep," but there is a great Q&A section about children refusing to poop on the potty.

Soothing themselves to sleep - The Irish Times - Tue, Jul 21, 2009

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Starting The Potty Boot Camp after failure with another method

2009-07-08T11:17:00.000-07:00

Question:

I recently found out about your book online and after much desperation of failing to potty train my 2.5 yr old son over the past few months. I started researching and found that The Potty Boot Camp book seemed inspiring and worth giving a try. So far the book seems like yes it would work, but I don't really know where to start since I have already tried potty training him over the past few months.

He was doing really good at going pee on the potty, but mostly because I think I was just taking him so he wouldn't have accidents. He was telling me when he had to go pee sometimes, though he still has yet to go poo on the potty and runs and hides every time.

I thought we were doing pretty good with the peeing part and then we went on vacation to the lake for a couple weeks. He HATED having to stop playing to come and go potty and just kept having accidents over and over again - so I just put him in pull ups. He is more than willing to go pee on the potty, it is just a matter of getting him to tell me plus he doesn't seem to mind peeing his pants either.

Should I just start your program from the very beginning.. even though he has the concept of the potty and has gone many many times in it??

Answer:

After hearing your story, I would recommend starting with day #1....but modify the timing a bit. (More about that in a second.) I would also "give up" on mentioning the potty for a couple of weeks. Take a (well needed and much deserved) break.

When you start, explain to your son that "today is the day" we are going to give up diapers forever. You might want to pick a date on the calendar to start. Let your son help choose. Then have him look at the calendar every day and put a sticker on it to help "count down" to his diaper-free day. This will help build up some excitement on his end and will help motivate him to succeed. On the start day, make a big deal of getting rid of diapers. Have a little ceremony/party to mark this momentous occasion.

On day one, since he's already using the potty, I would not do 10 or 15 minute intervals. Try 35-45 minutes. Do the drills as described in the book - this teaches him that accidents are undesirable. Do make a big deal of having dry pants. Also do the cleanup technique. Kids sometimes like these at the beginning but they get tiresome after a while and do indeed become a deterrent to having accidents. If he has a lot of accidents with the 35 to 45 minute intervals, shorten them a bit.

It think the key for you is to start 'fresh" after a small break.

Below are some great "potty themed" stickers you could consider:

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Child is Pee Trained but Won't Poop in the Potty? Here are a Couple of Things to Try!

2009-06-11T13:19:00.000-07:00

Here is another of my "Question and Answer" Series based on emails I've received from parents who are following my The Potty Boot Camp toilet training program - this one regarding a child who won't poop in the potty.

QUESTION:

I recently purchased your e-Book. I have a 28 month old daughter who we've successfully potty trained over the last few weeks - that is for #1. We have had only 2 accidents (both during naps) over the past 2 weeks.

However, #2 isn't going so well. I've tried some of the tricks already listed in the book about pooping (Chapter 9, such as having her help clean it up, catching her in the act, etc), but she won't poop on the potty. She uses an adapter seat on the adult toilet to pee. We have a small potty for the floor, but she treats this like a toy and has no desire to potty or poop in it.

I've tried catching her in the act and we've had just one instance where she'll finish on the toilet. The rest of the time - she'll sit there and sit there - we'll read books, etc. But 5-10 minutes after she gets off of the toilet she'll poop in her panties.

Any other ideas? I'm going to try the "poop presents" idea today. She is in love with The Backyardigans and has even asked for a specific movie that she saw at the store the other day.

Her vocabulary is great and we have words for all the bodily functions. When you ask her where she's supposed to poop, she'll say "in the toilet."

Any ideas?

ANSWER:

The "poopy present box" is definitely the first thing to start with. Sometimes finding the right motivator is the real key to success. That and a LOT of praise. I've also found that talking about it a LOT during the day in general conversation is also important.

Do you think that there is any fear involved? If so, the book It Hurts When I Poop!: A Story for Children Who Are Scared to Use the Potty
can be helpful. Have you tried leaving her alone and giving her privacy? For some kids, that is the reason for the hesitation.

Let me know how it goes after the present box and/or trying to give her privacy. There is another technique listed in the book called "gradual withdrawal" that I call explain to you later if needed!

For more about the "gradual withdrawal" method please keep checking back to The Potty Boot Camp Blog for future posts!

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Ready To Give Up on Potty Training? Don't!!

2009-06-08T09:51:00.001-07:00

Each week I receive numerous emails from parents who are wildly successful in training their children, are encountering some small stumbling blocks, or the occasional few who feel like they just aren't getting anywhere. Sometimes those parents are at their breaking point and just want to give up and go back to diapers. I encourage those folks to just NOT GIVE UP! Think of all that time and energy you have already invested - you don't want it to be for naught. Below is the text of a "question and answer" from one of those emails I received. (Names have been changed to protect privacy.)

QUESTION:
Bad news, I suppose. I'm giving up on potty training for now. Michelle was doing so great before bed last night, and she hasn't peed in the potty even once today. She did, however, poop on the carpet and step in it, tracking it everywhere (she, the hallway, I, and the potty looked like we had been hosed down with poop), and then peed in her pants, on the floor, and all over herself 3 times ALL IN THE SPACE OF 15 MNUTES. I can't do it anymore.

Any tips moving forward? She just has a diaper on right this minute b/c I just can't clean up another mess today. I will say that she did learn to recognize when she pees in the past three days, which she didn't know before. I don't know if I should totally forget about it for now, or take some more small steps.

Thanks again for the advice.

ANSWER:

Oh my gosh! You poor thing. I totally understand where you are coming from.

I'd encourage you not to give up, though. You've come so far and put in so much work. So, here's what I would recommend from here:

Have her wear pull-up style diapers with underwear underneath. Tell her that it is still VERY IMPORTANT to keep her panties dry, and still give rewards for dry panties. Talk about dry panties all the time. Talk about YOUR dry panties, and Daddy's dry underwear, or her big sister's dry panties...etc. Make a big deal about it. Keep using the Potty Watch. She seems to have limited bladder control, so set it on the smallest interval. (30 minutes, I think?) So that you're not having to deal too much with dirty wet panties, stay sane by keeping a garbage bag in the bathroom. Just dump the excess contents in the toilet and throw the underwear in the bag. At the end of the day, plug your nose, dump the entire bag of wet panties in the washer, and take care of it all at once :)

Are you giving potty training rewards right now? I would encourage using some, and if you need some ideas I can give you a few. Reward for both dry panties AND for going in the potty.

Doing it this way, it will probably take a few weeks...but I think you'll hopefully find that each day you are dealing with fewer wet panties. When you're down to only one or two per day, you can again try to wean her off of the pull-up.

This still means a lot of trips to the potty, but it will keep you from going crazy and you'll ultimately achieve the same end result.

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

CootieGuards Protect Toddlers from Germ-Ridden Public Toilet Seats - CootieGuards

2009-05-19T08:52:00.000-07:00

CootieGuards Protect Toddlers from Germ-Ridden Public Toilet Seats

Disposable Seat Covers Help Reduce Stresses of Potty Training

Parents who dread the inevitable need to assist their toddlers and young children in public restrooms, now have a new tool that not only fights exposure to germs, but also helps reduce stresses associated with potty training.

Called CootieGuards™, (www.cootieguards.com) these new disposable toilet seat covers completely slip over toilet seats – much like a pillowcase -- protecting kids and parents from germs transmitted by surface-to-skin contact.

The key to CootieGuards’ effectiveness is its patent-pending design, which creates a sanitary, waterproof barrier between children and the toilet seat. CootieGuards completely encapsulate the seat, with side flaps that cover exposed surfaces on the exterior sides of the bowl where children often reach for stability. CootieGuards already come with a center hole designed to support both boys and girls.

One of CootieGuards’ unique design features is that is keeps children weighing up to 60 pounds suspended over the bowl, preventing smaller children from falling through adult-sized toilet seats. When used as directed, CootieGuards will not slip, slide or fall off, and have no adhesive strips that can be bothersome for installation and removal.

The inspiration behind CootieGuards was a classic case of finding a new solution to a common problem facing inventor Jim Martin while potty training his daughter. After more than a year of design, prototype development and patent applications, Martin believes he’s found a better way to help solve what is often a very unpleasant activity.

“Unlike the paper toilet seat covers found in many public restrooms, which are ineffective and difficult to use, CootieGuards give parents peace of mind that their child is not exposed to a plethora of common bacteria and viruses found on public toilets,” Martin said. “Customers who have used CootieGuards particularly like the simple design and the fact that they can be conveniently carried in a purse or diaper bag.”

Single-use CootieGuards are made of FDA-approved food-grade plastic and can discarded or recycled, but should not be flushed.

CootieGuards are available in resealable four-packs for $4.95, and are available online at www.cootieguards.com.

CootieGuards Protect Toddlers from Germ-Ridden Public Toilet Seats - CootieGuards - pitchengine.com

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Dealing With a Stubborn Potty Training Child? Here's a New Resource You Should Check Out!

2009-05-13T20:42:00.000-07:00

In the potty training business, I hear back from a lot of parents of toddlers about a variety of behavioral issues that come up on a fairly regular basis. Commonly, toilet training problems aren't a failure of the child to understand the process but rather a failure of the child wanting to cooperate!

A child in a bad mood is a child who isn't going to want to learn to use the potty, or to listen to basic directions, or to want to please his parents. These behaviors carry over into each and every aspect of you and your child's day.

Recently, I've learned about a great new audio course for parents about how to deal with stubborn toddlers. It is put together by a gentleman named Chris Thompson, who is an expert in something called “neuro-linguistic programming” (NLP), which is a method of using words to make people feel differently about things, or to persuade them. He teaches you specific words and phrases to use that magically "connect" with your child.

I'll let Chris's information page tell you more about his program and let you decide for yourself if it might be right for you. I think it's worth a few minutes of your time to check it out. To learn more, visit this link: Dealing with Terrible Twos

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

My Wee Friend Potty Training Stickers

2009-04-22T12:05:00.000-07:00

My Wee Friend is a new and exciting yet simple and effective way to potty train.

Developed by a Mother of six and Grandmother of seven ©My Wee Friend™ has been tried and tested By real Children and it REALLY Works!

My Wee Friend is a black sticker that fits into most flat bottomed potties, when your child wee’s into the potty a happy smiley face appears (one of nine designs) encouraging potty use. The smiley face will stay long enough for your child to rise from the potty and be pleased with the result, then it will fade back to black ready for the next use.

When your child uses the potty and realises that he or she has made the happy smiley face appear they just have to tell and show Mum and Dad (so please be close at hand as your child running around your house with a full potty may be a bit messy!)

My Wee Friend is a black sticker that fits into any flat bottomed potty.

When a child wees into the potty a happy, smiley face appears (one of 9 designs).
The smiley face remains long enough for the child to rise from the potty and be pleased with the result.

My Wee Friend then fades back to black ready for the next use.

My Wee Friend is fun and easy to use, and stays in the potty for up to 12 weeks!

(Please Note you do need a flat bottomed potty to use)

My Wee Friend is available from www.PottyTrainingConcepts.com

How to Deal With Potty Training Accidents

2009-04-11T09:15:00.000-07:00

Tips and Ideas When Dealing with Potty Training Accidents:

Potty training is emotionally exhausting, physically exhausting, and mentally tiring. Try to take a deep breath before you react. Make your mantra "No emotion. No emotion. No emotion." You can always vent to a friend or family member later on.

After an accident, your child is likely to be upset and confused. Take time to calmly review the situation. Say something such as, "Oops, you didn't make it to the potty in time. You peed in your pants and in the floor. That feels very yucky, doesn't it. OK. Now we need to go get cleaned up." Your toddler will feel reassured that you are in control and will make him feel better soon. Try to make him an active participant in the clean up process.

Next, provide the appropriate solution. Ask your child what you should do next. Walk her through each step - moving to a different room, cleaning herself off, selecting new clothing, and getting re-dressed. Actively have her participate in the cleanup of the floor or area of the accident! Making your child responsible for his or her own accident will ultimately make them less likely to want to repeat the process.

Do try to stay positive, but do convey to the child that accidents are undesirable. Do this in a UNEMOTIONAL tone of voice! The child needs to understand that peeing in his pants is not a desired behavior, but that it isn't a behavior that will lead to anger or frustration from Mommy or Daddy. Always try to encourage your child that next time they will be successful - and make it clear that you are the number one fan in their cheering section!

Orlando Parenting Examiner: The real poop on swim diapers

2009-04-08T10:10:00.000-07:00

Below is a link to a great article from the Orlando Parenting Examiner regarding the use of swim diapers. Key points to take away from the article are that a) swim diapers do NOT keep urine out of the pool. The products are designed only to prevent bowel movements from escaping into the swim water (yuck!) AND b)regular pull-ups or diapers will blow up like a balloon when used in a pool, although do serve the same purpose as a swim diaper to prevent a "Caddy-Shack" moment in your pool!

Click the link below to read the entire article:

Orlando Parenting Examiner: The real poop on swim diapers

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Bed Wetting Issues - Advice From an Expert

2009-03-25T12:36:00.000-07:00

(I recently received this comment on a previous blog post about bedwetting. Since it has such valuable information and advice, I wanted to publish it as it's own blog post.)

I work with the Enuresis Treatment Center, which deals only with bedwetting cases, and I know they can help. They have treated thousands of bedwetters, including teenagers, and adults. Bedwetting is actually a problem caused by abnormally deep sleep, which doesn't allow for the bedwetter's brain and bladder to connect so they can effectively respond to each other.

In 99% of all bedwetting cases, the root cause is sleeping so deeply. It is an inherited deep-sleep disorder that results in bedwetting as well as a non-restorative, unhealthy sleep. This compromised sleep can also result in daytime symptoms; difficulty awakening, fatigue, memory difficulty, irritability, difficulty concentrating.

There is No guaranteed that someone will outgrow bedwetting, in fact after the age of seven, it is less likely. 1 in 50 teenagers, as well as 3.2 million reported cases of adults still wet the bed. More importantly, if a child were to outgrow this problem, they are then left with a sleep disorder, along with possible challenging symptoms that can no longer be treated. Meanwhile, the psychological impact of bedwetting can be devastating.

Studies indicate that deep sleepers rarely hear smoke detectors and can sleep through fire/burglar alarms. Alarms alone are ineffective as the key component for ending bedwetting. Children/Teenagers report great confusion and frustration when using an alarm, because they cannot hear it in time, or at all, to make any impact on the bedwetting. A majority of the time they simply experience another failed attempt to end their bedwetting. The core of the problem is an inadequate arousal of the brain, a sleep disorder that needs to be changed to permanently end the bedwetting.

We encourage parents to discontinue the use of diapers since they only keep the bed dry, not the child, as well as prolong the child’s suffering from the bedwetting and sleep disorder. There is a false belief that older children will get discourage by wearing Pull Ups or Good Nights and be able to wake up and go to the bathroom. Our experience with tens of thousands of bedwetting cases indicates this has never occurred. If a child could wake up, they would.

For 34 years, the Enuresis Treatment Center has been ending bedwetting for children, teenagers, and adults who thought there was no hope. Our research and experience has validated that bedwetting is the result of a genetically-linked sleep disorder that can be treated without drugs or invasive surgery. I would encourage your readers to visit their website and take advantage of their extensive knowledge.

Sincerely,
Lyle D. Danuloff, PhD
www.nobedwetting.com
Farmington Hills, Michigan

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Parenting Examiner: Potty training tip: make your own personalized potty training book

2009-03-24T12:19:00.001-07:00

Here is a GREAT idea for you creative types! Instead of buying a potty training book, make your own!

In the following article on the Parenting Examiner website, a number of unique ideas are discussed to personalize a special book for your little one:

Parenting Examiner: Potty training tip: make your own personalized potty training book

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Tips for Toilet Training

2009-03-06T14:53:00.001-08:00

This article discusses some unique ideas to help with potty training - from using "peer pressure" to "male bonding." My favorite is the tip that came from a dad who said he and his son ran around in underwear all weekend while singing "the manly man song" - a special tune he made up just to get his little boy motivated. Whatever works!!!

read more | digg story

7 Months Old? Potty Train Her! - CBS News

2009-03-03T08:17:00.000-08:00

A technique that has been around for many years is recently gaining popularity among parents - it's called Elimination Communication, or "infant potty training." It helps parents teach babies as young as 7 months old how to use a potty instead of a diaper.

A key part of the method is to teach the baby a verbal cue, such as "sssssss-sssss." When whispered into the ear, the infant is conditioned to release their bladder. The infants themselves are not necessarily "trained." Instead, parents get their children used to responding to the need to go.

Below is a link to a story on CBS about Elimination Communication, as well as additional information. In addition, resources for parents on the topic include The Diaper-Free Baby: The Natural Toilet Training Alternative and Infant Potty Training: A Gentle and Primeval Method Adapted to Modern Living, both available from Amazon.com

Here's the link to the CBS story: 7 Months Old? Potty Train Her! - CBS News

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Potty Tots Gains Industry Recongnition

2009-02-25T12:15:00.000-08:00

Below is a press release from Potty Tots, a company that makes a cute line of toilet training products:

San Diego, CA (1888PressRelease) January 09, 2009 - Potty Tots, a provider of comprehensive, child-centered potty training products and resources, was recently recognized by JPMA, a national trade organization representing 95% of the prenatal to preschool industry, as a finalist in their annual Innovation Awards Competition. Gaining recognition for their new comprehensive potty training kit, the company also recently received Honorable Mention from StartupNation, an organization, which was founded to serve the need of entrepreneurs, in their second annual StartupNation Home-Based 100 ranking in the category of most innovative.

The JPMA awards contest included more than 130 products, which were evaluated by a selection committee of trade media representatives and industry retail buyers, and judged on their innovation, marketability, trend-setting potential, appeal and usefulness. A finalist in the contest, Potty Tots launched their new product this past year at the ABC Kids Expo. The product, which consists of a storybook, animated DVD with bonus music videos, step-by-step illustrated potty chart and progress and rewards game, features a group of ten ethnically diverse preschool characters, all with their own personalities and interests.

“We are thrilled that identified as a finalist in the contest,” stated founder Jill Leech. “It’s encouraging to see that other industry professionals view our product as an innovative and useful tool for kids and parents. Our goal is to address what we see as a challenge in everyday parenting by giving those parents and kids the tools they need to be successful,” she added.

The Potty Tots training system was developed to work for all children including those with special needs such as Reactive Attachment Disorder, Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Pervasive Development Disorder, who commonly have issues with potty training and need structure to feel secure. Toddlers learn best with a lot of visual and structured programs, which also include positive reinforcement and tangible rewards but most of all when learning is FUN. The Potty Tots training kit, which provides extensive visual aides, including a detailed “how to” chart, is intended to encourage kids to participate, ultimately fostering independence, confidence, and self-esteem. The program also features a “Toilet Bowl” game, fashioned after the Super Bowl, so that kids can keep track of their progress and gain positive reinforcement with praise and rewards.

Additionally, the program focuses on addressing multiple learning styles (visual, auditory, and kinesthetic), which is reinforced through a variety of program components. The story book was animated on a DVD so young children could easily follow along and original songs were developed (the Potty Song, Potty Rock, and Potty Stomp) to help kids sing and dance their way to remembering the six steps in potty training.

In addition to the potty training kit, the company also has launched an interactive web site, www.pottytots.com. An integral part of the Potty Tots Training Program, the web site features a variety of tools and resources for both parents and children. Those include a “Parent’s Page” which features an FAQ section; an online informational newsletter, “Tidbits for Toddlers;” and “Tales from Toddlerhood,” a Parent’s Blog which offers parents a glimpse into one witty mom’s world of raising two toddlers and the adventures they encounter every day. The site also hosts a “Just for Tots” page, which was designed for the express purpose of having fun while learning about potty training. It includes coloring-pages, interactive games and a “Meet the Potty Tots” page. It also has a Potty Tots “Diploma,” which can be customized and printed once the child’s potty training has been mastered.

The potty training kit, available in both boy and girl version, can currently be purchased online for the cost of $19.95 and ultimately will become available at retail stores. Also, individual Potty Training Charts, featuring any one of the ten adorable Potty Tots can be purchased online for $7.95. The company plans to debut its new program this month at the ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas. For more information on the Potty Tots or to take advantage of the company’s online resources visit www.pottytots.com.

About Potty Tots

The Potty Tots® Potty Training Program is a unique and universal system that is child-centered and provides all of the resources necessary for successful potty training. It features an adorable group of ethnically diverse preschool characters that engage children by singing and dancing their way through the six steps of Potty Training. This highly interactive program, which includes storybook, animated DVD with bonus music videos, step-by-step illustrated potty chart and progress and rewards game, addresses multiple learning styles, encouraging kids to participate and ultimately fostering confidence, self-esteem and independence. It provides everything you’ll need for a fun, stress-free potty training experience.

The Potty Tots Potty Training Kits are Available from Amazon:

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Early Childhood Parenting Examiner: How to make your own baby wipes for free from recycled materials around the house

2009-02-20T21:09:00.001-08:00

I found this great tip on the Early Childhood Parenting Examiner website. Making your own wipes is certainly more difficult than buying some at Wal-Mart, but is a considerably more Eco-friendly option. (Not to mention a more cost-effective one as well.)

Early Childhood Parenting Examiner: How to make your own baby wipes for free from recycled materials around the house

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A Technique for Getting Rid of Pull-Ups Once and For All

2009-02-12T10:11:00.000-08:00

Question:

My daughter was 20 months when we started and is now 22 mo. She is now dry through night time and naps and knows it is potty time right when she gets up. She also knows that number two goes in the potty with only occasional accidents here and there. We have never done completely away with pull ups for outside the house. I tried undies underneath and she never noticed. How do I get rid of the pull ups and not have her wet several outfits while out and about? It is hard to spend several consecutive days at home right now. We are getting a travel potty, but even when we have it how will she know she has to tell us while out of the house that she has to pee? Or does she just learn through trial and error?

Answer:

Glad to hear you're making progress...and that we just need to get over that last hurdle.

I think you might have to just bite the bullet and totally get rid of the pull-ups. You might have a few days of accidents, but I think we can minimize them. I think it should be pretty easy but a little time consuming.

My advice is to wait until you get the travel potty. Plan on bringing it with you EVERYWHERE for a little while. I would also get a Potty Watch or even just a kitchen timer. The first day out of pull-ups, set the timer for about every 20 minutes. Take her to the potty every time the timer rings. You can increase or decrease the timer intervals depending on how well she is staying dry. The beauty of the travel potty is that you can take it out anywhere (from the grocery store parking lot to the trunk of your car!). Once she goes two or three days with very few accidents (even though she won't be self-initiating) it will usually help her brain to make the connection between a full bladder and that feeling of needing to go. I think you'll find that shortly thereafter she'll actually start telling you - especially if the intervals have gotten far enough between that it gives her the chance to self-initiate.

So...hopefully that helps. It should be a good way to stop the pull-ups for good without having to deal with the stress of a bunch of accidents.

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Potty Training - Fine when Naked, Accidents in Underwear: A Solution

2009-02-09T10:35:00.000-08:00

Question:

I started the potty training process with my daughter about 3 months ago at 22 months old. It didn't take her long to catch on.

It was late July at the time so I tried to start her off bare butt. She now recognizes every time when she needs to pee and poop and will go to either the big potty or her potty chair all on her own...BUT ONLY WHEN SHE'S NAKED!!!! Yes, my plan backfired on me. If I put panties on her (we're not even talking about pants too) she will go as if she were still wearing a diaper. It doesn't matter how many accidents she has.

I don't think she likes telling me that she has to go potty. She's very independent and likes to do everything on her own and if she's wearing panties she hides and just goes potty in them. I've tried everything from bribery to taking away privileges or toys. Poop is the worst though. She can sometimes remember to tell me when she needs to go pee but she will never tell me with poop. If she has to take anything off, she'll hide and go in whatever she's wearing. If you have any advice I am open to just about anything!

Answer:

You are really at a 'naked' standstill. I think your instinct about her independence is dead-on.

Since it has lasted for months, it might take a creative option. Try this for a few days and let me know how it goes.

Take a pair of panties that you are willing to 'sacrifice'. Then cut out the crotch. Make a BIG deal of presenting them to her. "Wow! Look at this special present! These are special pee-pee panties" You can wear panties that are so special that you don't even have to pull them down to pee.!" (And so on and so forth.) This way she can still use the potty, while 'wearing' panties, and without your help!

If this goes well, we'll talk about how to wean her back into "non-crotchless" panties!!! The first step is a baby one....just to get her to use the potty while doing something besides being naked.

Also, I would have "pantie practice sessions".....for a couple minutes per day, put some on and practice pulling them up/down/up/down. Then take them off. It's just to give her some practice doing it herself.

For some kids, "baby steps" is the magic solution. Go slow, GRADUALLY wean her into panties, and in no time she'll be right on Track.

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

A Great Product for Bedwetting Accidents when Potty Training

2009-02-02T15:46:00.000-08:00

I just found a great product that I wish I had had while night-time potty training my daughter. It's the SOS 4-in-1 Mattress Pad. The concept behind the product is to make for quick and easy changes when your child has a bed wetting accident.

Nothing is worse than having to change sheets at 2:00 am. With the SOS 4-in-1, you quickly zip off the wet top layer, leaving a fresh and dry layer underneath. Wah-lah! Quick, easy, and painless. It sure would have saved me countless nights of lost sleep in those potty night-training days!

The SOS is available from Amazon. Click this link to learn more: SOS Mattress Protector

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

How to Solve Bedwetting Problems

2009-01-20T10:16:00.001-08:00

Below is the text of a post from the blog of Dr. Molly O Shea, a Michigan-based pediatrician. The original article can be read HERE.

Dr. Molly O'Shea: Ask the Pediatrician
Bedwetting is common; here's how to manage it

I get a lot of questions about bedwetting. I often suspect parents are going to bring it up when I walk into the room for a well visit for a really healthy 8-year-old boy and find both parents in the room.

In an attempt to solve the problem, parents have limited fluids after dinner, given their child a pep talk about getting up during the night if they feel the need to pee, and some have even set their own alarm or wakened their child when they go to bed to pee during the night. A few have tried dangling a big reward (like a new bike) if the child can stay dry, and others have punished their child for these wet nights. These strategies have something in common: They don't work.

What parents don't understand is that this is a very common problem, and their child is not to blame. Most kids complete potty training and stay dry throughout the day by age 3 1/2 to 4 years, but nighttime dryness can take much longer to achieve. Did you know that 9 percent of boys and 6 percent of girls still have consistent bedwetting at age 7? These percentages decrease only slightly by age 10, and even at age 18, about 0.5 percent of people wet the bed at least twice a month.

Sometimes the cause of bedwetting in school-aged kids is a sleep disorder. If your child snores a lot during sleep, be sure to mention this to your doctor. Very rarely is bedwetting caused by a neurologic problem and associated with constipation and clumsiness.

So what is a parent to do? First, it is appropriate to bring your child to the doctor to confirm there is no physical cause for the problem. This is especially true if your child never had bedwetting issues and has suddenly started wetting the bed.

Because an immaturity of the neurologic system is at the root of the problem, trying to train your child to stay dry at night before he or she is ready is futile. I liken it to trying to teach a 6-month-old to walk. How then do you know when your child is ready? If you have a family history of bedwetting and know the age at which the relative achieved dryness, you can start trying about 6 months or at most a year ahead of that age. If he has been wet every night of the week for years, and suddenly you are getting a couple of dry nights each week, it is a good time to try. Other signs of readiness are a desire to be out of Pull-Ups at night.

The best method for night training is to use a bedwetting alarm. These alarms awaken the child as soon as there is any wetness on the sensor. This process can take several months but is over 80 percent effective.

What about medications? DDAVP works by essentially turning off the kidneys so less urine is made. The medication works for about half the kids and can be tried if your child is going to camp or a sleepover.

Eventually, your child will achieve consistent night dryness either through normal maturation or the help of an alarm.

Dr. Molly O'Shea is a Troy-based pediatrician. Read Dr. Molly's blog at www.detnews.com/drmolly.

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Your Child Can Be a Potty Training Star - Casting Now

2009-01-16T08:30:00.000-08:00

Potty Training Reality Show (PAID) - January 28, 2009
We are conducting a casting for a POTTY TRAINING REALITY SHOW

Casting Dates: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday January 26, 27, 28, 2009
Prize Money: All participants will be compensated. One family will appear in a National commercial.

We are looking for the following:
Families that: Cover a broad and accurate spectrum of today’s American society. The parents should be engaging, outgoing and interesting. Their ages can vary from early twenties to mid-forties. Their family size should vary from an only child to multiple children (including twins and triplets if possible).

The parents should be comfortable in front of camera both when crew is and is not present.

The parents should be willing to use only the client’s products until their child is potty trained.

We are looking for Families with children who will be potty training in March 2009
We are booking a lot of families with children and we would like to see Boys & Girls ALL ETHNICITIES!

Caucasian, Asian, African American, Hispanic, Native American, any and All
Ethnicities. * Please note send only Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach families.
The children should range between 18 months and 4 years - old during shooting. Because of the time sensitive nature of potty training challenges and the shoot schedule, we should look for children facing challenges that fit naturally within the featured product offerings (extra protection at night when sleeping, time sensitive potty training deadlines like pre-school enrollment, etc.). The children need to be comfortable around a camera crew. Children with interesting personality traits (stubbornness, playfulness, etc) are a plus. Children who exhibit pre-existing special potty training related story lines are also a plus (fear of flushing, unwillingness to sit on the potty, etc).

Things that will be explored during casting:
· Single parents
· Spanish (or other second language) speaking households
· twins and triplets
· Extended families under one roof
· parents of toddlers in their mid 40’s
· young first time parents
· children with challenges that require our featured product offerings
· children with pre-existing potty related story lines

Email Tammy If you want to attend this casting. Tammy@bocamodels.com

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Helpful Potty Training Tip - A Great Place for Your Travel Potty

2009-01-13T08:23:00.000-08:00

Below is a link to a blog post about a helpful potty training tip: To turn your vehicle into a moving porta-potty! (For a selection of great travel potties, click HERE.)

Thanks to this blogger for a great idea!

Life At the Circus: Best Potty Training Trick Ever

Another Potty Boot Camp Success Story

2009-01-10T11:54:00.000-08:00

Below is a peek at a family's blog....the mother has made a post about her twin boys and their success with The Potty Boot Camp.

It works again!

http://www.kettmanfamily.com/big-news-this-last-week/

Potty Training Problems

2009-01-07T08:25:00.000-08:00

Potty training is new territory for your toddler. Up until now, they have been happy-go-lucky, learning about her new world at there own pace and making all kinds of exciting discoveries. They have learned how to form sounds into words that communicate what they want, she’s learned how to put her legs under her and walk and all this was done at her own pace. They probably thinks she invented walking and talking. Now all of a sudden, someone has decided she will no longer relieve herself in her diaper and plops her down on a potty and tells her to “go”. This is fertile ground for potty training problems.

Prevention is the Best Cure

Look at potty training from the child’s perspective. What kind of introduction has she had to the toilet and the bathroom in general. Has this room been off-limits before now? Let her follow you into the bathroom before you start potty training her. Answer the questions that occur.

Let her flush the toilet and sit on it with the lid closed first. Believe it or not, many children are afraid of the toilet. They see things go down and not come back and wonder if that can happen to them.

When they are comfortable being around the toilet, let her sit on the seat. If they feels afraid, buy her a potty seat that snaps on securely or a potty chair. Humans are born with the fear of falling and sitting on a toilet seat with nothing under her can make your child feel like she’s going to fall.

Regression, is when a child begins to learn potty training, then suddenly seems to lose ground. Children who were perfectly happy to go along with the potty training routine all of a sudden begin having accidents frequently. Regression isn’t always a problem.

There may be an external factor such as a change in the environment that is causing the regression or it may just be that they want to slow down a little. Most experts agree that periods of regression are normal during potty training and, unless there is a medical condition such as a urinary tract infection, they do not need intervention. Simply continue to gently encourage her with her potty training and they will get back on track.

Most potty training problems can be identified by looking at them through your child’s eyes. Inconsistencies, fears, punishment for accidents and regression can all trigger potty training problems.

More tips from http://www.pottytrainingtipsonline.com/

Potty Training a 15 Month Old Toddler

2009-01-04T13:10:00.000-08:00

A parent recently contact me about needing advice for training her 15 month old son. She was convinced her son showed all the signs of "readiness." He was removing his diaper, telling his mother when he was wet, etc. Mom just used her intuition to decide that it was time.

After beginning training, she began to run into a couple of problems. Her son would happily sit on the potty. She was taking him to the toilet every 15 minutes - yet, he would fail to pee on the potty and instead go immediately upon leaving the bathroom. Below is my response and advice:

I have a couple of thoughts. First, I agree with you that your primary concern should be to at least get him to urinate in the toilet. Being that he is so young, getting him to actually tell you when he needs to go might take a few months.

I think you are right on track with the "taking him to the toilet every 15 minutes." When you are there, how long are you having him stay on the toilet? You might want to experiment with the timing. (Take him every 30 minutes but have him sit for 10 or 15 at a time, etc.) It sounds like he needs more time to allow his bladder to release, especially if he is going soon after you take him off of the toilet. Once he develops bladder awareness, and you can get him routinely urinating in the toilet, his reliability in telling YOU when he needs to go will follow.

Some parents actually will have their kids sit on the toilet until they do go...even if it is for an hour. Do as much as you feel is reasonable, and don't FORCE him to sit there if he is fighting you. We want to make sure you keep the toilet an enjoyable experience.

Shifting the timing of the toileting trips should increase her chances of actually "catching" her son in the act and having a success. With each success, her child will begin to make the mental/physical connection between the sensation of needing to go, the feeling of letting go, and the physical act of doing so on the potty.

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Helpful Tips for Toilet Training Your Child with Autism

2009-01-01T08:55:00.000-08:00

* Try to give your child a drink about 15 minutes before taking them to the toilet. This will increase their chance of success. Do, however, try to avoid giving too many drinks as this will throw off the child's "normal" routine.

* Decide ahead of time if you want to teach your child to leave the door open or shut as part of their toileting routine.

* Avoid using "baby talk" for words associated with toileting. Your child might find it difficult to change his language later on. It probably wouldn't be too appropriate to have a 30 year old announce that they are going to go "pee-pee."

* Wet wipes are much more effective than dry toilet paper for easy cleanup.

* Many children have a fear of the sound of the toilet flushing. If this is the case, you might want to remove that step from the sequence and leave it for the end of the routine. You might need to flush the toilet at the beginning and gradually work the child into the task by having them stand closer to the toilet each time you flush.

* Make sure you have a car seat protector installed. This will prevent messy and time-consuming accident cleanup.

* Some children will hold their pee or poop until you put their diaper on. It helps to be aware of this habit in planning your trips to the toilet.

* There is a range of absorbent pants and swimwear for older children available

* Toilet training is incredibly time consuming. If you have other children you might want to plan to carve out some extra "alone" time with them.

* Train your child at home before tackling the task of teaching them to use public restrooms. When visiting new places, always show your child where the bathrooms are when you arrive. Use the same routine as you do at home. Also use the same visual cues/books/pictures that you use at home.

* Some autistic children like to smear and/or play with their poop. There are complicated reasons as to why this might be the case, so if your child is exhibiting this behaviour you might want to keep him supervised in the bathroom.

* If your child is away from home in a daycare or other setting, try to duplicate the home environment as much as possible. Get a duplicate child's potty or toilet seat insert. Don't forget to send lots of changes of clothes.
It is important that you have clear lines of communication during this time so having a home/school book to share concerns and successes is vital.

Once Upon a Potty for Boys: Consumer Reviews

2008-12-29T08:15:00.000-08:00

In 1975, Alona Frankel wrote and illustrated her first book, especially for her son Michael, on how to use the potty. For thirty two years, Once Upon a Potty has been the classic "go-to" book written for children on the topic of potty training. The title has sold more than four million copies worldwide. These books for children help parents everywhere deal successfully with an often challenging parenting task. When I was about to begin training my daughter, this book is the one my pediatrician recommended.

Thanks to their timeless words and beloved images, Once Upon a Potty — Boy and Once Upon a Potty — Girl are being discovered and used by a new generation of parents. These two books, with their phenomenal staying power, target and meet the needs of an obviously perpetual market.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Great Book
My Son loves this book. We had gotten the Book for girls at a yard sale and he constantly looked at that book. We love the one for boys just as much. He seems to relate to this book. He shows me the page and tells me all about it while he sits on the potty.

3 Stars Fun Book, But Not What I’d Consider A Teaching Tool
I really enjoy reading “Once Upon A Potty” to my kids. It’s rather direct and features gender-specific illustrations of the “parts” for boys and girls. This particular book features the male anatomy of little Joshua. Joshua’s story gives children the confidence to sit and wait for something to happen, even if it doesn’t feel like something will occur.

I personally don’t consider this book a good teaching tool for potty training. While it’s a fun story and does get rather specific about body parts, it doesn’t teach little boys how to stand when urinating. As others have stated, the illustrated potty is a “wee” bit outdated as well.

Still, kids will have fun with this book and I do mildly recommend it. Some parents might think that terms like wee-wee, poo-poo and pee-pee are too childish for their children, but I think they’re just fine for the little ones.

5 Stars
Once Upon a Potty — Boy

This book is a classic! It is well written and geared toward little boys and their specific body parts related to potty training. I think it helps to teach our son about his body and elimination in an easy and simple way.

4 Stars Pretty Good Book
I don’t know if any one book actually helped get my son to potty train. I think it helped put the idea into his head though. Potty training is more difficult than I ever imagined, but I think we’re getting there. I recommend this book though. Kind of odd drawings with pictures of the boy’s rear end, but I guess kid’s need to see it. Maybe.

Once Upon a Potty Boy · Recent Articles Made Simple

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Dr. D. Preston Smith - The "Potty Doctor"

2008-12-26T14:05:00.000-08:00

Dr. D. Preston Smith attended Rice University in Houston, Texas where he graduated with honors in Economics.

He graduated from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston in 1987. Following medical school he spent two years in General Surgery at the University of Tennessee Medical Center at Knoxville. In 1993, he finished his Urology Residency at Northwestern University in Chicago. He concluded his training upon completion of a two-year fellowship in Pediatric Urology at the University of Tennessee at Memphis and LeBonheur Children's Hospital in 1995.

Dr. Smith is board certified and he has authored or co-authored many articles, papers, chapters, and books in Urology and Pediatric Urology. His research has been presented throughout the world. Dr. Smith's dedication to helping children with urologic problems inspired him to establish PottyMD.

Dr. Smith is a father of three young children.

Parents looking for advice on potty training, constipation, or bladder control problems might find his books enlightening. Below is a link to books Dr. Smith has written:

Books by Dr. D. Preston Smith

In addition, Dr. Smith is the founder of www.pottymd.com, an Internet resource for parents who are toilet training their toddlers. "PottyMD is the only physician-based resource for parents, physicians, and families with concerns about all aspects of urinary and bowel problems in children. We provide education and products for those caring for children with potty problems. PottyMD provides help with toilet training, potty problems after training, bed-wetting and constipation. Our PottyMD team is committed to providing the most comprehensive, practical, and affordable assistance that is currently available. We want results." Common problems we address include:

Potty Training
Bed-wetting
Child Constipation
Urine Accidents
Incontinence
Urinary Urgency
Urine Frequency
Urinary Tract Infections
Bowel Movement Accidents/Encopresis

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Dealing with Constipation While Potty Training

2008-12-23T11:16:00.000-08:00

What is a parent to do when their child is psychologically AFRAID to use the toilet to poop? Below is a link to an article written by Karen Alonge, who gives parenting advice through her website and blog. In the article, she discusses various things you can do and say to your child when they are having difficulty conquering their fear of pooping. Click Below:

advice for parents: Dealing with Constipation While Potty Training

Another great resource for parents with constipated children is:

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Doctors Issue Warning About The Danger Of Heavy Toilet Seats To Male Toddlers

2008-12-20T15:11:00.000-08:00

UK doctors have expressed considerable concerns about the growing trend for heavy wooden and ornamental toilet seats after a number of male toddlers were admitted with crush injuries to their penises.

Writing in the December issue of BJU International, Dr Joe Philip and his colleagues at Leighton Hospital, Crewe, report on four boys under the age of four, who were admitted with injuries serious enough to require an overnight stay. "As Christmas approaches many families will be visiting relatives and friends and their recently toilet trained toddlers will be keen to show how grown up they are by going to the toilet on their own" he says.

"It is important that parents check out the toilet seats in advance, not to mention the ones they have in their own homes, and accompany their children if necessary. "A recent market research report has suggested that there has been a worldwide increase in the number of wooden and ceramic toilet seats sold. We would not be surprised to hear that other colleagues have noticed an increase in penis crush injuries as a result of this."

The four boys, aged from two to four, all attended as urological emergencies. All had been recently toilet trained and they were using the toilet on their own.

They had lifted the toilet seats, which had then fallen back down, crushing their penises. Three had a build up of fluid in their foreskin, but were still able to pass urine, and the fourth had glandular tenderness.

Luckily there were no urethral injuries or bleeding and the symptoms settled down with pain relief. All the children were able to go home the next day.

The authors have come up with four key recommendations:

1. Parents should consider fitting toilet seats that fall slowly and with reduced momentum, markedly reducing the risk and degree of injury.

2. Heavier toilet seats could be banned in houses with male infants.

3. Households with male infants should consider leaving the toilet seat up after use, even though it contradicts the social norm of putting it down.

4. Parents could educate their toddlers to hold the toilet seat up with one hand when they pass urine and keep an eye on them until they are confident that they are able to do it unsupervised.

"As any parent knows, toilet training can be a difficult time with any toddler" concludes Dr Philip. "We are concerned that the growing trend of heavy toilet seats poses a risk not only to their health, but to their confidence."

Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/132665.php

Doctors Issue Warning About The Danger Of Heavy Toilet Seats To Male Toddlers

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Help! My Toddler is Refusing to Use the Potty!

2008-12-17T08:35:00.000-08:00

QUESTION:

How can you make your child use the potty or toilet when they refuse. Our son is three years old, he will wear undies all day until his nap time or bed time, at that time he lets his bladder go during that time. He will physically hold his bladder for seven hours at a time until he is allowed to go to bed and then will go in his bed. He will not have anything to do with the potty, he will not use the toilet. If he is wearing a pull up, he would sit in the wet or soiled pull up for hours and cries when we try to change him into something dry. We are trying to be consistent with the undies, but it is hard to watch be in so much pain with holding his bladder. Do you have any suggestions on how to make him use the toilet instead of holding it?

ANSWER:

I wish there were some easy way to make you child stop refusing to use the potty. Short of physically restraining them (which I would NEVER advocate), you will need to find a way for him to decide it is his idea.

One thing you can try, although it doesn't work for every child, is to reward the child for cooperating and taking away privileges for not cooperating. This technique usually works in a few days, as long as you can remain calm, unemotional, and stubborn - don't give in! Also, ALWAYS make the child clean up their own messes. (At first making them clean up might not seem like it's working, but trust me....it gets real old quickly.) After having to disrupt playtime day after day to clean himself up I bet he'll finally realize that it's just easier to use the toilet.

Here is something else for you to consider:
What does your son REALLY love? Does he love the backyard? Does he watch TV? What are his favorite foods? Is he allowed to eat dessert after dinner? What would he really, really miss out of his daily routine? Those are the items you need to use to motivate him. For example, my daughter loves to watch the Noggin channel, play in her sandbox, and have dessert. Figure out two or three things that you know he’ll be upset about if he loses them.

He’s 3, so he is capable of understanding action and consequence. The very first thing I would do is have a very serious discussion with him. (Try to be VERY matter of fact during this 'talk') Explain to him that you know that he has been learning to use the potty, but that he simply must try harder. Pee and poop belong in the potty and it is simply unacceptable that he keeps having accidents. Let him know that Mom and Dad now expect him to use the potty every time. Use the same tone of voice and conviction that you would use to tell him that he can't eat candy for dinner or run into the street alone. You are the parent and some things are not negotiable.

Explain to him that from now on, he must not put his pee or poop anywhere but the potty. It is now his responsibility to use the potty - and if he does, he gets his rewards. (Whatever you've decided to use for 'Prizes') If not, he will lose a privilege. Make sure he stands to lose something if he has an accident. It's not punishment, it is just life! Play by the rules and be rewarded...don't play by the rules and you will usually be faced with something unpleasant. It's incredibly hard, but try to not show emotion. You might have a couple of days of him testing you to see if you will follow through so hang in there. Tell him that the next time he does not use the potty, he can’t watch TV/eat candy/play outside/etc for a certain length of time (make it long) – like six hours, or ‘until tomorrow.’ (Until tomorrow works best if you can stand the whining for the rest of the day.) And, when he asks for his privilege back, shake your head sadly, and say ‘I’m sorry – but you can’t. You didn’t use the potty. Those are the rules. Maybe tomorrow you’ll do better and you can have your ‘X’ back.’

This usually will get some great dramatic cries from your child, but most parents tell me that after this final ‘last standoff’, it takes about three days to realize that you are serious. Then they FINALLY give in.

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Potty Training Autistic Children

2008-12-15T06:27:00.000-08:00

The link below will take you to a series of articles on About.com about potty training children on the Autism Spectrum.

In Summary:
1. Be prepared to be patient. It will probably take longer for your child with Autism to potty train than a child without disabilities.

2. Children with Autism can often have gastrointestinal problems. Make sure he is not suffering from constipation, diarrhea, bloating, or other "tummy" problems.

3. Kimberly Kroeger-Geoppinger, Psy.D., a clinical psychologist and assistant professor of pediatrics at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, says that the child's readiness signs might be very simple: "For us, the prerequisites include ambulation, the ability to get up and down -- and that's it."

4. Have your child drink a LOT of fluids while potty training. Increased trips to the toilet increase chances for success.

5. Buy needed supplies: Rewards, books, and a comfortable potty seat.

6. Prepare to spend the entire day in the bathroom. "have him or her sit on the toilet (taking breaks every half hour) for as long as you CAN. Dr. Kroeger and her team literally spend all day in the bathroom, from the time the child wakes up until he goes to bed. Drinks, food, and playtime can all take place in the bathroom."

7. It might take up to five or six days to see reliable results using the above methods.

8. Be aware of a habit some children with Autism might exhibit: Fecal Smearing. Children might do this "for one of only four reasons," she explains: "to get attention, to get something they want, to escape from something unpleasant, or to have or avoid a particular sensory experience."

This link will take you to the full series of articles on About.com.

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Your Child is Ready to Potty Train....But Are You??

2008-12-12T10:17:00.000-08:00

Below is a link that will take you to an article written by Gwen Rockwood for the South County Mail. For parents who are considering beginning potty training, she gives some great food for thought! She points out that potty training can't be a "part-time" endeavor. It takes hard work, weeks of dirty underwear, hours spent sitting near a toilet, and a good sense of humor. Your child might be ready to potty train, but are you???

Click Here to Read Gwen's Entertaining Article entitled "Train or Get Off the Pot: It Takes Two,Baby!"

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Potty Training Boot Camp: A Review

2008-12-10T09:00:00.000-08:00

Potty Training Advice : Potty Training Boot Camp

Below is a copy of a Review of The Potty Boot Camp, as written and posted on the website "Potty Training Advice.com"

Potty training boot camp is what many parents have appreciated as a very efficient method of teaching their children how to get rid of diapers. It all started with one mother who tried various methods either from specialized books or posted on Internet sites and found no success. Finally she has decided to combine several methods into only one that is more complex figuring that this way she will achieve the so longed for success. And the result that she desired was finally obtained.

The potty training boot camp by definition is a combination of various methods. Why has this combination been necessary? First of all children differ from each other, and there have been many cases in which one very well known and appreciated method failed in some children’s cases. That is because not all techniques go with all children. So taking the best out of these most known and successful methods and putting them into one just had to work. The potty training boot camp consists of four phases, the first one being preparation work. The two following are boot camp and reinforcement. And finally there is maintenance. The smart thing about this four phased method is that if you achieve no real success in the first or the second phase or stage, there will surely be success during the third or the fourth.

Many parents have resorted to the potty training boot camp and apparently all have been successful. This method can be purchased off the Internet and on the site where you can actually get it from, you can find testimonials from parents that have already used it. All the results obtained were pleasing and all of the parents talking about it on this site praise the method. Some of them have previously tried the one day method, or the timed method and many others that you may have already come across. Most important in order to gain success with potty training boot camp, is to start applying this method only when your child has signaled in one way or another that he or she is ready for the training.

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

A Couple of Potty Training Tips for Boys

2008-12-07T18:28:00.000-08:00

Is it Really More Difficult to Train Boys?

A common misconception and old wives's tale is that it is more difficult to potty train boys than girls. This rumor actually is just that - a rumor! The key to successful toilet training is actually the readiness of the parent, the readiness of the child, the dedication to the task, and the method used.

Standing or Sitting? Can a Woman Teach a Boy?

In an ideal world, men would train boys to be able to teach by example. This is not always a realistic possibility, however, and women are certainly equally capable of training their little boys. I generally recommend teaching your little boy to first pee while sitting down. A useful method to prevent "over spray" is to teach him to "tuck it" down while sitting. Urine splash guards sometimes are useful, but I've heard many a story about them dislodging, failing to work, and even causing minor scrape injuries.

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Win a Pot-Tee Prize Kit!

2008-12-04T09:03:00.001-08:00

Here's some information on how to win a potty training kit by Pot-Tee Prize Potty Training System:

Hosting Site: Two Of A Kind, Working On A Full House
Prize: Pot-Tee Prize Potty Training System
How to Enter: Comment with who you will give it to
Ends 12/17
US Only

Link to the contest: http://twoofakindworkingonafullhouse.blogspot.com/2008/12/pot-tee-prize-potty-training-system.html

Do-N-Slide Picture To-Do Lists - Visual Aids for Potty Training

2008-12-04T08:21:00.000-08:00

Here is a great visual aid for potty training - the "Do-N-Slide" with Potty Training pack. I can see this product being useful for all parents - however, parents of children with Down Syndrome or Autism might find it especially useful.

The Do-N-Slide is a product that allows parent to help parents help themselves by using visual aids to clearly define a set list of activities or tasks that need to be completed. (In the left column is the "To Do" tasks, and in the right column the "All Done") Your child simply slides the visual reminder from the left to the right after the activity is completed.

What makes Do-N-Slide so fabulous is its versatility, and the abundance of situations it which it can be used to help both children and parents. Just some of the ways it may help you in your home are:

Help your child learn one or many new routines

Reduce your child's resistance when its time to change activities or environments

Boost your child's confidence by providing them with a means to complete activities independently

Advance your young child's ability to use and understand language

Improve your child's understanding of organizing and sequencing - a prerequisite to improved reading and writing skills

At last!...you can stop repeating yourself!

The Potty Training Pack includes the following tasks: go to bathroom (girl sitting) - go to bathroom (boy sitting) - go to bathroom (boy standing) - bathroom - clean diaper wipe - dry panties - dry underwear - turn on faucet - turn off faucet - dry hands - flush - lift seat - seat down - underwear down - underwear up - pants down - pants up - potty - wash hands

Do-N-SlideTM is a remarkable tool that can be used by both parents and children. It is made from die-cut cardboard materials - similar to children's board-books, but 3-ply for strength and durability.

Do-N-SlideTM has 2 columns, a 'To-Do' column, and an 'All Done' column, and allows the child to simply slide picture cards across the board from one position to the other. There are 6 slider partitions in all - one for the day of the week, and 5 for the picture cards that represent activities or steps within an activity that the board is being used to display.

The picture cards can represent a multitude of things, including, but not limited to: activities to be completed (getting some help around the house), or a new skill to be taught (potty training). In addition, the picture cards can be arranged in any order, changed daily with ease, and most importantly - used to represent whatever it is that YOUR CHILD is learning!

Click Below to Learn More:

Do-N-Slide Picture To-Do Lists Help Your Kids Help Themselves!

Toddler and Childhood Constipation

2008-12-01T08:23:00.000-08:00

Below is a link to an article about childhood constipation: it's causes, symptoms, and various remedies.

Children often become constipated for a variety of reasons. One might be as simple as the fact that the child doesn't want to take time away from fun activities to go use the bathroom. For some children, a previously painful bowel movement can create fear and avoidance of having another.

Causes Of Childhood Constipation

Diet & Nutrition, Lack of Exercise, Emotional Upsets and Anxiety, Holding stools, Prescription Drugs, and less common causes of constipation such as depression, attention deficit disorders, and sexual abuse.

Constipation Symptoms

Less than 1 bowel movement per day, Stools that are hard and difficult to pass, headaches, fatigue and/or depression, accidental fecal soiling, or abdominal pain near or around the navel. Also bed-wetting, decreased appetite and nausea.

Constipation can undermine the whole body and it is now known that irregular bowel movements are directly related to serious health conditions. Constipation does not have to be a problem if you will practice prevention with your children and implement the suggestions found in this article. Regular bowel movements are an important mechanism for removing toxins from the body and thus keeping the body healthy. Remember: Prevention is always the key. As always, if severe symptoms persist, do not hesitate to see your healthcare professional.

READ MORE:
Children Get Constipated, Too

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Potty Boot Camp, Day 1 - It Works Again!

2008-11-28T10:47:00.000-08:00

The link below will take you to a blog of a family that used The Potty Boot Camp to train their little girl. You can read their progress day by day, starting with day #1 all the way though being "potty trained" at day #4.

It's another Potty Boot Camp success story!!

(When you get to the bottom of the first post, click on "Newer Post" to move forward to the next post.)

Where in the World: Potty Boot Camp, Day 1

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

The Potty Caddy

2008-11-26T09:15:00.000-08:00

In an attempt to try to make potty training fun (I know, that sounds like an oxymoron!) someone has created the Potty Caddy.

The Potty Caddy is a box that contains a variety of tips and humorous tidbits for both children and their parents. It comes with a reward chart, stickers, and toilet paper. (One of the stickers reads "Hooray for Poop!") Also included are special "pee targets" to turn the toileting process into a game.

In addition, pint-sized magazines like "Vanity Fairy" and "Rolling Stroller" provide your child with their very on "bathroom reading" - just like Dad!

The Original PoT-Tee Prize Grab Bag

2008-11-24T12:42:00.000-08:00

The Original Pot-Tee Prize Grab Bag gives you all the tools you’ll need to easily and effectively potty train your child in one convenient, cheerful package. Naturally, this critical step in your child’s early development can be stressful and time consuming. Our system adds structure to the potty training process creating a positive and memorable experience for you and your little squirt.

When your child uses the potty, when they’re supposed to, they can pick a prize from The Original Pot-Tee Prize Grab Bag. It’s up to you to determine if a prize is earned each time the potty is used or every three times, etc. Much of your potty training success will depend on the age and readiness of your individual child. All children are unique, so don’t get discouraged if at first things don’t go as hoped. Simply try again in the coming weeks or months. The Pot-Tee Prize Grab Bag Potty Training System is designed to make potty training easy for parents and fun for kids.

Here is what is included in the kit:

Whimsical Sticker Chart and Matching Stickers

Let your child select a sticker or a prize each time they use the potty, or you may want to offer a prize after every 3 stickers or so.

Guide

Filled with proven facts to help ease you and your child through the transition from diapers to undies.

Diploma

Every graduation deserves a diploma and graduation from diapers to underpants does, too!

Pot-Tee Prizes

A variety of fun reward prizes in a canvas bag to delight your child and positively reinforce their appropriate behavior.

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Preventing and Dealing With a Couple of Common Potty Training Problems

2008-11-22T08:26:00.000-08:00

To understand potty training problems, look at the process from your toddler's view point. For most of their life they explore the world at their own pace and everything is a big science experiment. Learning to talk and walk have been skills they have acquired on their own terms and only when they were ready.

Suddenly, Mom and Dad have changed all the rules. They are told that they now how to stop going pee and poop in their diaper and must instead use a toilet. What??? Imagine the shock you would feel if someone told you that you must now stop using the toilet and must go in your pants instead! The analogy is a disgusting one to consider, but help you to understand why your child might be resistant to the process.

Preparation is the Most Important Step for Potty Training

Some activities you can perform before asking your child to use the toilet are:

1. Let him follow you to the bathroom and explain the process in detail.
2. Let the child sit on the potty with the lid closed and allow them to flush the potty. Show them how the pee and poop go down the drain.
3. Get a child's training potty and let the child play with it. Familiarity breeds comfort.

Regression

Regression is when a previously potty trained child begins to once again wet themselves. Your child may have been using the toilet happily for months and suddenly goes on a potty strike.

You'll want to consider any external factors that might be triggering the episode. The birth of a new sibling, a move, or a change in daycare might all contribute to upheaval in a child's life.

Regression is actually a normal part of toilet training unless there is a contributing medical condition such as a urinary tract infection. Be patient through episodes of regression as they do tend to resolve on their own or with a bit of encouragement. Consider adding special rewards or treats if desired.

Death of a Parent May Cause Potty Training Regression

2008-11-20T08:20:00.000-08:00

Coping with the death of a parent is by far one of the most devastating emotional experiences a child can ever have to face. The age and developmental stage of the child will, in part, determine how they might react to and show the grief. Factors such as the age of the child, the manner in which the loved one passed on, and the relationship between the child and the deceased parent will all play a role in how the child displays and deals with the emotional trauma.

Toddlers, preschoolers, and very young children commonly show major regression in earlier developmental stages such as potty training and even language skills.

A great article about helping kids cope with the loss of a parent is by By Cathy S. Babao-Guballa of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Click below to read the original and entire article:

Helping kids cope with grief - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

A selection of books from Amazon books about helping kids cope with grief can be found by clicking here.

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

The Potty Boot Camp Named as of "The Seven Best Potty Training Methods" by the Baltimore Parenting Examiner

2008-11-18T08:25:00.000-08:00

Parenting expert Mia Redrick is an author, lecturer, radio personality, personal coach and mother of three young children. She is a leader in the push for the self-care of mothers, and shares her wisdom on how to raise children without sacrificing personal needs.

In an article entitled "The Seven Best Potty Training Methods", Mia lists the Potty Boot Camp as one of the recommended techniques.

"The Potty Training Boot Camp - This is a great site with information on how to have your child out of diapers overnight. I own this e-book and it has good tips and strategies on how to quickly get your child into underwear. The site is complete with its own potty training blog where the latest and greatest new products and information are shared with potty training parents.
http://thepottybootcamp.com/index.php"

Mia's column has a great collection of really helpful parenting information on a wide-ranging variety of topics from childhood obesity to ideas for special 'mom time.' Check out her articles at
http://www.examiner.com/x-208-Baltimore-Parenting-Examiner

To read the entire "Best Potty Training Methods" article, click here: Baltimore Parenting Examiner: The Seven Best Potty Training Methods

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

The Potty Boot Camp: Another Success Story!

2008-11-16T14:14:00.000-08:00

Another Potty Boot Camp Graduate! Below is a link to a blog post from a family that used The Potty Boot Camp Technique to toilet train their son (successfully!) The post is great because it is written 'journal' style - you'll be able to follow their progress as they worked through the program. Congratulations to this family for having a potty trained toddler!

Read More: Life Together: More or Less Potty Trained

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Considering Your Child's Personality When Potty Training

2008-11-14T09:42:00.000-08:00

Your child's personality should be your number one consideration when trying to decide on a method of potty training. If you have a child that loves to explore and gets excited about new experiences, you can usually jump right in. Shy or hesitant children - or those who are resistant to change might require more 'preparatory' time. You could consider reading books or watching videos on the topic for several weeks ahead of time.

You'll also want to consider your toddler's temperament when deciding upon rewards and/or positive reinforcement. The thing that will make one child happy is the one thing that will cause rebellion in another. Clapping and cheering and sticker charts may work for some children, but will be met with a look of boredom from another. Other children respond to 'negative criticism' - being faced with the threat of losing a beloved toy or activity before they'll cooperate. Some children thrive on attention, and others crave privacy.

Taking time to assess your own child's unique personality will ultimately help determine how quickly you are successful when toilet training. Take a moment to pre-evaluate your course of action and you'll soon have a diaper free child!

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

The Great Diaper Debate (from The Boston Globe)

2008-11-12T09:25:00.000-08:00

The Great Diaper Debate

Many parents who want to lessen the environmental impact of raising a baby are choosing cloth over disposable diapers. Problem is, they may not always be making the greener choice.

Most parents will change diapers about SIX THOUSAND times in their baby's first two years. Deciding on whether to use cloth or disposable diapers is a lot harder than it should be. Everyone wants a straightforward and easy answer but none exists.

There are pros and cons to both cloth and disposable diapers. Disposable consume more room at landfills (up to 70 times more), but it takes considerable amounts of energy to transport, wash, and dry the cloth versions. A recent study by Britain's environmental agency actually found no significant environmental impact difference between the two after taking into account all of the variables.

To read a great article from the Boston Globe that goes into a lot more depth regarding the topic, click below:

The Great Diaper Debate - The Boston Globe

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Potty Tots Potty Training Kits - New!

2008-11-10T09:00:00.000-08:00

Potty Tots® Offers Comprehensive Potty Training Kit Which Provides a Resource for Toddlers and Offers Tools for Multiple Learning Styles

Parent Review: "My daughter used the Potty Tots system for my granddaughter she was potty trained so quickly! She loved the characters really liked the little girl. It has a cute story and easy to learn songs. The Potty Tots kit is easy for parents to learn and really fun also. Alexandra, my granddaughter, calls me every time she uses the potty because she is so proud!"

TEMECULA, CA - August 29, 2008 - Potty Tots, a provider of comprehensive, child- centered potty training products and resources, today announced the availability of its new comprehensive potty training kit. This unique product, which consists of a storybook, animated DVD with bonus music videos, step-by-step illustrated potty chart and progress and rewards game, features a group of ten ethnically diverse preschool characters, all with their own personalities and interests, so that any child could pick a character with which they could relate.

The Potty Tots training system was developed to work for all children including those with special needs such as Reactive Attachment Disorder, Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Pervasive Development Disorder, who commonly have issues with potty training and need structure to feel secure. Toddlers learn best with a lot of visual and structured programs, which also include positive reinforcement and tangible rewards but most of all when learning is FUN.

The Potty Tots training kit, which provides extensive visual aides, including a detailed "how to" chart, is intended to encourage kids to participate, ultimately fostering independence, confidence, and self-esteem. The program also features a "Toilet Bowl" game, fashioned after the Super Bowl, so that kids can keep track of their progress and gain positive reinforcement with praise and rewards.

Additionally, the program focuses on addressing multiple learning styles (visual, auditory, and kinesthetic), which is reinforced through a variety of program components. The story book was animated on a DVD so young children could easily follow along and original songs were developed (the Potty Song, Potty Rock, and Potty Stomp) to help kids sing and dance their way to remembering the six steps in potty training. "

Although there was a large selection of products on the market, they were primarily singular in focus and nearly all of them consisted solely of graphs and stickers to keep track of a child's progress," stated Jill Leech, founder of Potty Tots. "None of the resources I found showed the child the steps of potty training, in sequence, so that they could understand what to do next," she added.

In addition to the potty training kit, the company also has launched an interactive web site, www.pottytots.com. An integral part of the Potty Tots Training Program, the web site features a variety of tools and resources for both parents and children. Those include a "Parent's Page" which features an FAQ section; an online informational newsletter, "Tidbits for Toddlers;" and "Tales from Toddlerhood," a Parent's Blog which offers parents a glimpse into one witty mom's world of raising two toddlers and the adventures they encounter every day.

The site also hosts a "Just for Tots" page, which was designed for the express purpose of having fun while learning about potty training. It includes coloring-pages, interactive games and a "Meet the Potty Tots" page. It also has a Potty Tots "Diploma," which can be customized and printed once the child's potty training has been mastered.

The potty training kit, available in both boy and girl version, can currently be purchased online for the cost of $19.95 and ultimately will become available at retail stores. Also, individual Potty Training Charts, featuring any one of the ten adorable Potty Tots can be purchased online for $7.95.

The company plans to debut its new program this month at the ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas. For more information on the Potty Tots or to take advantage of the company's online resources visit http://www.pottytots.com/

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Girls Master Toilet Training Sooner Than Boys

2008-11-08T12:00:00.000-08:00

There just might be some truth to the old wives tales that girls are easier to potty train than boys.

A new study has been completed that has come to the conclusion that girls acquire potty-training skills at a younger age than boys do. Researchers from the study have concluded that the ages when children are ready to potty train, known as "readiness signs," is now at an older age group than in previous decades. The new typical range for "readiness" is between 22 to 30 months.

Dr. Timothy R. Schum of the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee colleagues claims this is an American and Western society phenomenon as potty training in other countries often happens sooner.

A diaper manufacturer, the Kimberly-Clark Corporation (makers of Huggies diapers) sponsored the study and it is published in the March issue of the journal Pediatrics.

The investigation included 126 girls and 141 boys between the ages of 15 and 42 months. Each week for 12 to 16 months, parents were asked to answer questions that asked about their child's potty training behavior.

Overall, the investigators found that girls demonstrated potty-training abilities at earlier ages than boys.

"One obvious explanation is that girls' physical and language skills mature sooner than boys'," the authors write. "Another explanation is that parents may initiate toilet training girls at younger ages than boys, and the practice at an earlier age leads to earlier acquisition of skills."

The average ages for "staying dry during the day" were 32.5 months for girls and 35 months for boys, the report indicates.

The surveys found that for girls and boys the results were as follows: "showing an interest in using the potty," 24 months for girls and 26 months for boys; "staying dry for 2 hours," 26 and 29 months, and "indicating a need to go to the bathroom," 26and 29 months respectively.

Most "experts" nowadays advise that parents should not force their children to begin toilet training before they are "ready." Instead, they say, parents should watch for signs of readiness, seek advice from their health care provider, and then proceed--usually around the time the child is 2 years old.

Schum and colleagues also note that the age of daytime bowel and bladder control has steadily increased from approximately 24 months in the 1950s to 36 to 39 months in the late 1990s. (How does human biology change, I might ask????)

"Although some boys and girls acquire readiness skills before their second birthday, most do not," the authors write. (As the author of The Potty Boot Camp, I heartily disagree. 75% of The Potty Boot Camp graduates are two years old or younger! It is obviously physically possible!)

Rocks In My Dryer: Every Single Stinkin' Thing I Ever Learned About Potty Training

2008-11-06T12:00:00.000-08:00

Below is a link to a post from a mother who writes about "Every Single Stinkin' Thing" she ever learned about potty training. The article is eloquent and hits the nail on the head!

"Before these days get any further behind me, I thought I should write down everything I learned about this most glamorous parenting task. If nothing else, I want to be able to show it to my own children when they come to me 20 years from now, frustrated that little Shannon Junior isn't complying with their potty demands. I will give them a gentle hug, point them to this post, and then walk away, smirking (just an bit) when I think of all the carpet cleaning bills I've paid over the last decade.

Potty training can be overwhelming, and even when it's going well, there are setbacks. If YOU are a potty training momma, then Honey, you just get yourself a Diet Coke and come sit next to me. Let me tell you what I've learned."

Read the Entire Original Post: Rocks In My Dryer: Every Single Stinkin' Thing I Ever Learned About Potty Training

Socioeconomic beliefs about the appropriate age for initiating toilet training

2008-11-05T12:19:00.000-08:00

A study was done recently which surveyed a number of parents across different socioeconomic and racial backgrounds - and differences were definitely noted between the groups.

The entire group of parents felt that the average age at which toilet training should be initiated was 20.6 months, with a range between 6 to 48 months. White/Caucasian parents, on the other hand, believed that potty training should be started at a considerably later age (25.4 months) compared with both African-American parents (18.2 months) and parents of other races (19.4 months). Other factors which determined when parents believe it is time to initiate toilet training were race and higher income. Higher income equaled later training, and lower incomes were correlated with earlier training. Perhaps the possibility of not having to pay for diapers was incentive for the lower-income parents to get the process done earlier.

Read More: Beliefs about the appropriate age for initiating toilet training - ParentDish

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

TACA: Autism - Potty Training Guidelines

2008-11-03T09:19:00.000-08:00

TACA: Autism - Potty Training Guidelines

Above is a link to the "TACA - Talk About Curing Autism" page about potty training. The link takes you to a very interesting and very specific, day-by-day training technique for potty trianing toddlers with Autism.

Below is the text of the article, but to see the original source, click the link at the beginning of the article.

Potty Training Guidelines

1. Buy lots of the child’s favorite drinks and salty foods.

2. Make sure the “ultimate” reinforcer is available to the therapists/parents for the child’s successes on the potty.

3. Buy regular underwear

4. Buy a potty seat that fits on top of the regular toilet and a stool for the child to rest his feet.

5. Prepare activities for the child to do while seated on the potty such as; puzzles, books, manipulative toys.

Day 1

1. When the child wakes up, dress him/her in a shirt or sweatshirt, underwear and socks

2. Makes sure all SR+ items, activities, drinks, salty foods and the potty area is set up.

3. Begin giving the child liquids (LOTS!) for about 5 minutes.

4. Continue giving the child liquids until he/she is on the potty.

5. Start entertaining activities such as singing songs, puzzles, toys, etc.

6. Keep the child on the potty until he/she is successful. This can be a long time, 1-2 hours. This time will be this days baseline time.

7. Once the child is successful, reward the child greatly verbally and with his/her ultimate reinforcer item. Let the child off the potty for 10 minutes with his or her underwear off in the bathroom area. Continue fluids at this time.

8. Once the 10 minutes are up, put the child back on the potty until he or she is successful or the baseline time is up. Whichever is first.

9. If the child is successful, reward him or her greatly and let the child off the potty for 10 minutes in the bathroom area. If the child does not go, let him or her up for 3 minutes in the bathroom area and then bring the child back to the potty.

10. Continue these steps until the child has 3 successes on the potty.

11. After 3 successes, decrease the amount of fluids and gradually increase the amount of time off the potty by 3 - 5 minute increments. Remember to keep the child’s baseline time documented on the potty chart.

12. Continue with this for the rest of the waking hours of that day.

Day 2

1. Re-start the entire potty training procedure to get a new baseline time for the day. Each subsequent day you should see a decrease in the baseline times. At some point, the child should go as soon as you set him or her on the potty.

2. Continue with this for the rest of the waking hours of that day.

Day 3

1. Re-start the entire potty training sequence to establish the new baseline.

2. Use the amount of time from Day 2 off the potty time and let the child be able to go into 2 rooms of the house supervised.

Consequence for Accidents

Have the child clean up the accident with hand over hand prompts. Have the child rinse out his/her clothing and get dressed. Put the child back on the potty. Add 10 minutes to the time the child sits before the baseline time begins. In essence, the child sits on the potty longer.

GOOD LUCK! Remember to be patient, potty training can take up to a week. Remember to document times on and off the potty with the Potty Chart.

Special thanks to Autism Spectrum Consultants for their Potty Training information and Potty Chart. For more information about Autism Spectrum Consultants go to: http://www.autismconsultants.com/

WeeMinder Potty Training Timer Watch

2008-11-02T20:03:00.000-08:00

Until now, there have not been a whole lot of options for 'potty training watches' for toddlers. Using a timer/watch during toilet training is INCREDIBLY helpful to get your child into a toileting routine, to prevent accidents, and to build confidence. A relatively new product that is available is the Weeminder. Unique to the Weeminder product is that it also comes with a book and DVD - unlike its competitor 'The Potty Watch'.

WeeMinder Potty Fun Watch Timer:
Easiest to Use/No Programming, On/Off
Sings, "Put a big smile on your face and hop, hop, hop to the Potty Place"
Three modes, 1, 2, 2.5 (Medical experts recommend every two-three hours)
Best fit/Most comfortable for your toddler, 1.5" length face

WeeMinder Potty Fun DVD
3-Fun Choices
Music Video of children hopping and singing to the catchy/fun Potty Song
Movie showcasing Wally the Wallaby successfully overcoming trials on his way to the potty with the help of his WeeMinder Potty Fun Watch Timer
Testimonials from parents, doctors, and the author/inventor
WeeMinder Potty Fun Storybook

10-page board book
Showcases Wally the Wallaby the Potty Animal on way to Potty
Only Potty book that addresses temptations to play instead of go potty
Doctors, Parents, and Experts Hails WeeMinder as the Best Potty Aid
"I was desperate. My son screamed, cried, ran, and completely refused to use the potty. The more I tried the worse it got. Luckily, he loved the Wally and the WeeMinder instantly! He watched the DVD over and over and even after being completely potty trained, he still wore the WeeMinder, sang the song, and watched the DVD."

"I tell everyone about the WeeMinder. It changed our lives. Sounds corny, but I was pulling my hair out, until the WeeMinder turned our home into laughter, smiles, and dry pants! We love Wally and he is part of our family. We recommend this product to EVERYONE!"

The Weeminder is Available online at Amazon.com as well as other retailers.

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Yes, the Amazon Kindle is Worth the Money

2008-10-29T11:44:00.000-07:00

This is a completely unrelated topic to potty training, but I just wanted to tell everyone about my Amazon Kindle - because I think everyone should know about this device.

I'm going to gush like a schoolgirl with a new crush. I love this thing. I mean really, truly, love this thing. I think it's about the most exciting purchase I've made in a long, long time.

I first checked out the Kindle for my Dad. His eyesight isn't as good as it used to be, so I thought the adjustable font feature would be helpful. We bought one for him as a gift...and as soon as I saw it, I wanted one myself. It's slim, lightweight, and uncomplicated. He showed me how easy it was to flip through 'pages' and I tried it out. My love affair began.

I begged my family to get me one for my birthday. It arrived a couple of weeks before we took a trip out of the country. One of the coolest things about the Kindle is that it works on the Amazon 'Whispernet' network, which uses cell-phone technology. Basically, if you are in a location where you can get cell phone service, your Kindle is capable of connecting to Amazon. I figured I wasn't going to get cell phone service in Costa Rica so I purchased a bunch of books for it before we left. After uploading five novels, I looked at the thing in amazement. I was holding FIVE novels in my hand! (In one tiny, lightweight device!) Considering how we all have to conserve on luggage on airline flights nowadays, this was a huge plus.

Sitting and reading with the Kindle is a real pleasure. The book can easily be held in ONE hand - a huge difference between it and a traditional novel. The screen doesn't feel like you are looking at a computer monitor - it isn't back lit, so it feels like you are looking at a piece of paper - in fact, if the room is dimly lit you'll need to sit under a lamp. (Just like a 'real' book.) Scrolling through pages is as simple as a quick 'click, click, click' of one of three buttons positioned on the right and left side of the device.

When you leave the book for any length of time, it goes into sleep mode but remembers what page you were on as soon as you turn it back on. Your progress through the book is monitored by looking at a series of dots on the bottom of the page, so it's easy to tell if you are at the beginning, middle, or end of your story.

The best part of the Kindle has got to be the Whispernet service. Unlike the Sony reader, it doesn't need to be connected to your computer via USB cable to upload new books. Sitting in a coffee shop and want a new book? Waiting in your doctor's office? No problem. Just browse the Amazon store and your next novel is awaiting. I recently started reading Stephanie Meyer's Twilight Series and quickly got hooked. When I finished the first book it was 1:00am and I was dying to start the second novel. Instant gratification! I went to the Amazon store, bought book number two, and within 30 seconds was reading.

The Kindle is certainly full of the 'cool factor' as well. Everywhere I take it, I get questions from curious strangers. If you're looking to make new friends, the Kindle will give you an instant conversation starter.

Bottom line, if you get a Kindle, you won't regret it! I can't even imagine holding a 'real' book anymore and get quite annoyed when something I want to read isn't yet available in the Kindle format. I'm sure it's just a matter of time before publishers automatically publish in both paper AND Kindle format. You, too, can start a new love affair as well......

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Help! My Toddler Won't Poop On the Potty! (Part IV) - A Step-by Step Method to End the Struggle

2008-10-27T15:34:00.000-07:00

The most frequently visited posts in my blog are consistently the ones related to a child refusing to poop on the potty. It isn't uncommon for 40% of my visitors to have reached me via the keywords 'refusing to poop'!! This common parenting dilemma let me to actually address the issue in a separate chapter within The Potty Boot Camp - one I entitled 'The Potty Poop Camp.'

The problem with this chapter, for most parents, is that you don't need the entire Potty Boot Camp book - only the chapter about getting your child to do their BMs in the toilet.

That's why I am now making available a download of just the 'Poop Camp' - at a reduced price, and without all the unnecessary information about how to get your child pee trained. The regular eBook costs $5.95 - the 'Potty Poop Camp' is priced at only $1.95. Click the link below to download the chapter.

The Potty Poop Camp outlines a very specific series of steps to try when your child has 'stool refusal' - starting with the least complicated and most obvious solution. Should step #1 not effectively solve your problem, the Poop Camp will give you increasingly more in-depth activities to perform.

For $1.95, you've got a lot to gain and nothing to lose (except a bunch of poopy underwear!)

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

TEACCH - Toilet Training Children With Autism

2008-10-27T14:00:00.000-07:00

http://www.teacch.com/toilet.html

For parents of children with Autism, the above link will take you to an incredible, must-read article about potty training. The TEACCH autism program is one of the best resources available. The article is exhaustive in its detail and is well worth the time to sit and absorb the information.
Teacch teaches parents how to use a structured principles for toilet training. The main topics covered in the article are:

1. How to look at toilet training from the child's perspective.
2. How to assess a child's readiness for potty training, including a system for recording an elimination history/schedule.
3. How to physically set up an area conducive to training.
4. How to establish visual aids for training
5. How to address specific problems, such as difficulty in pulling down/up pants.
6. How to establish a communication system between you and your child.

To learn more, or view the full article, visit http://www.teacch.com/toilet.html.

Another couple of useful resources for toilet training individuals with Autism are:

New Resource for Potty Training Children with Autism

2008-10-24T09:51:00.000-07:00

Below is a link to a new potty training resource for parents of children with Autism. I have not personally read the downloaded material, but it sure does sound like it is worth your while to at least check it out.

"Astonishing NEW techniques to unscramble the neurological chaos within your Autistic Child’s mind."

According to the author, the material covers:

Tips about which natural supplement helps autistic children sleep
* Tips for getting your autistic child photographed
* Techniques for potty training an autistic child
* Tips for traveling with an autistic child
* Dairy free diet treatment of symptoms
* Tips for celebrating holidays with your autistic child
* Set scheduling needs of autistic children

In addition, the book covers:

Determine the facts of the 3 general groups of symptoms that identify autism disorder: 1. Social relationships and interaction 2. Language and verbal communication 3. Play and physical activities

Identify autistic signs at an early stage.

Identify the difference between autism disorder and Asperger Syndrome.

Realize how to diagnose your toddler to determine if they suffer from impaired social skills.

Teach games that can test attention span and engagement.

See why teaching children to use a sing-song voice or robot-like tone will help them to communicate more frequently.

Comprehend causes of repetitive body motion, self-abusive behavior, pain and hypersensitivity characteristics.

Determine 3 powerful techniques that can immediately provide comfort when aggravated or irritated.

Most importantly, they are offering a 100% Money Back Guarantee if you aren't happy with the information. I always figure that if you have NOTHING to lose....why not check it out? In the process you might gain a potty trained child as well as a new understanding of your child's condition.

Click Here to Visit Autism Symptoms and Treatments.com

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Aaah™ - Toiler Paper Moistener : Feel as clean as you can be

2008-10-18T11:39:00.000-07:00

Aaah™ - Toiler Paper Moistener : Feel as clean as you can be - "Aaah! Toilet Paper Foam Moistener is a new, environmentally-friendly solution that uses the natural absorbency of toilet paper to apply wetness for effective cleansing and the natural ingredients leave a soothing, fresh and clean feeling without extra waste"

I'm not going to get gross by being too graphic, but we all know that sometimes dry toilet paper just doesn't do the trick. (Unless you use half of the roll - wiping, and wiping, and wiping.)

For parents who are potty training, there is a new product that can make you and your child's life easier. It's called Aaah (TM) Toilet Paper Moistener.

The idea behind the product is to squirt a dab onto a wad of toilet paper before wiping. The moisture and cleansing effect can decrease, the number of times you need to swipe the area in question before the paper comes out clean. (OK, that did likely create a bit of imagery that you didn't need!)

My daughter is 3 1/2, and has been toilet trained since 20 months old. It is just now that we are trusting her to be responsible for getting her self clean. Up until now, we knew that letting her have full control of that task would lead to, well.....skid marks. Had I had the product sooner, she might have been able to do this herself a few months earlier.

The advantage of Aaah is that it creates no extra waste (good for the environment) and costs far less than other moist wipes. (Have you priced those things? They are phenomenally over-priced!) In addition, Aaah is better than baby wipes because it obviously is flushable.

To find out more about Aaah Personal Cleansing Foam, visit: http://www.byebyedry.com/

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

What Is A Good Age to Begin Potty Training?

2008-10-16T08:23:00.000-07:00

Below is a brief history about the age at which children have been potty trained in the past. A well-known fact is that the age of training has been steadily increasing - in part due to the effectiveness of today's comfortable dry diapers. Experts and studies seem to concur that children are able to obtain full bladder control between 18-20 months of age.

One European company is trying to help parents train by developing a new diaper that allows the child to feel the wetness after urinating, therefore causing a sense of discomfort. If the child is uncomfortable, they will be more likely to want to NOT remain in the diaper. SCA has created a new product called the Libero Diaper. The company's press release is quoted below:

"Ready, set, go....but when? Children in diapers are getting steadily older. Super-efficient modern diapers are thought to be one reason. To make toilet training easier Libero has introduced a special potty training diaper.

Giving up diapers is a way of feeling older. Today's more effective diapers mean children wait longer before they start toilet training.In the 1950s, before the advent of disposable diapers, children were put on the potty as early as six months of age. In the 1980s, many children were toilet trained by the age of three. Today, children in the Western world are usually around four before they can totally manage on their own and go without a diaper during the day.

Comfortable diapers

One reason for this is thought to be today’s super-efficient diapers, which absorb all fluids and leave the outer layer dry. Diapers, quite simply, are not uncomfortable enough for children themselves to feel the need to get rid of a full diaper.

“There haven’t been studies of how four-year-olds, for instance, are affected by having diapers, but I can’t imagine that children think it’s fun,” says Anna- Lena Hellström, a urotherapist and lecturer at Göteborg University.

SCA has developed a special diaper to make toilet training easier, Libero Potty Training Pants. [Not Available in the US. Click to see other Training Pants.]

"The outer layer in the potty-training product is special," says Fredrik Krook, Category Marketing Manager Baby. "It keeps the moisture there so that children can feel they are wet and then react."

The potty-training diaper is available in two versions, one for boys and one for girls.

The ideal potty-training age
Toilet training is a sensitive phase that is easily disturbed by changes in children’s day-to-day lives.

“When children start preschool, when their mother or father returns to work or when they get a new brother or sister, diapers can once again feel more secure than the potty,” Hellström says.

So it may be good not to start toilet training when major changes are going on in the family. The question is whether there is an ideal age for children to give up diapers. Researchers have yet to find a specific “toilet gene” that would indicate when the time for toilet training is most appropriate, but there are several well-supported hypotheses.

German researchers have determined that on average children’s diapers stay dry during the day at 28 months and overnight at 33 months. But individual variations are considerable, and roughly 20 percent of five-year-olds don’t have full control of bladder or bowel.

A Swedish study found that all children, even infants, are aware that they are peeing. It was also observed that many children could control their bladders at the age of 18 months, a period that can thus be suitable for toilet training, according to Swedish researchers.

From SCA's corporate magazine SHAPE 2/2008
Text: Elisabet Tapio-Neuwirth

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Potty Training Advice by John Rosemond

2008-10-12T20:36:00.001-07:00

Dr. John Rosemond, a well-known psychologist, gives some no-nonsense advice on toilet training. He feels that delayed potty training is an insult to a child's intelligence, and I'm inclined to agree.

Dr. Rosemond, in his article, discusses how potty training should NOT be a complicated or traumatic event. Waiting until a child is 'ready' is not always the best way to go - are you underestimating your child's capabilities and intellect? To read the full article, click 'read more'.

read more digg story

The Potty Boot Camp Receives Online Press!

2008-10-12T16:33:00.000-07:00

Below is a link to an article written on the 'Discipline How-to Blog' - The Potty Boot Camp book is discussed as a new and effective potty training method. (The author of the article owns a copy as well.)

To read the original article click HERE

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

WeeMinder Potty Training System

2008-10-10T11:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a new product that is likely to give the "Potty Watch" a run for it's money....

It's the Wee Minder. When toilet training, repetition is incredibly important. (A key part of The Potty Boot Camp is 'Timed Intervals.') In the past, I've always recommended the 'Potty Watch' because plays cute little jingles when it's time for your child to go to the toilet.

The unique features of the Wee Minder have me excited! Not only does the unit play a 'jolly and catchy' song, it comes with a storybook and DVD. The cute little character is a bunny who teaches kids to 'Hop Hop' to the potty!

When you make potty training fun, or like a game, it only helps to improve motivation and made your training that much more successful!

The following is a direct quote from the company's press release:

The WeeMinder® Potty Training System is a pro active, fun and interactive approach to the universal problem of potty training. Wally the Wallaby is the "potty animal" and he demonstrates to children good choices and practices throughout the day as he himself uses his WeeMinder® in potty training.

Kids will love to watch and relate to Wally's trials and learn from his good example of how to be a "potty animal" and hop to the "potty place."

The WeeMinder® is an alarm that your child wears that you set to go off to "wee-mind" them to try to hop to the "potty place." This empowers the child and puts the power in their hands and gives them the opportunity to "choose" to be in control of their potty training.

For More Information visit http://www.weeminder.com/

A good source for the WeeMinder is Amazon.com

Poteez - The Eco-friendly disposable potty, Happy Child, Happy Parents, Happy Planet

2008-10-08T13:39:00.000-07:00

If you are in the U.K., you are fortunate to have a new product to add to your potty training arsenal. 'Poteez' is a new, environmentally disposable potty.

The designers of the product realized there was a need for a handy way for parents to be able to bring their child to a toilet on a moments notice. They didn't want o put their child back into pull-ups for car journeys or short jaunts away from home - yet were afraid that if they didn't a toilet might not be close by.

That's why they developed the 'Poteez' - a disposable, easy-to-carry, easy-to-assemble portable potty. It stores flat and assembles in seconds.

Wish I had one when I was potty training...and will be looking forward to having them available in the US.

For more information, visit: Poteez - The Eco-friendly disposable potty, Happy Child, Happy Parents, Happy Planet

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of "The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers" - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.