Getting Toddlers to Tell You They Have to Pee

A toddler's parents have spent many months awaiting the day that the toilet becomes an interesting part of the daily routine. Before those diapers get tabled, there may be accidents while training along the way. Getting your little one to acknowledge a need to use the bathroom ahead of time may prevent accidents.

  1. Readiness

    • Convincing your toddler to tell you she needs to use the bathroom before it happens can be a challenge if she is not showing signs of toilet training readiness. Most children will not be able to explain they need to pee before they are 18 to 24 months old, according to KidsHealth. If your little one can keep her diaper dry for at least two hours and follow simple instructions, she should be ready to tell you when she needs to use the bathroom.

    Reasons Children May Not Verbalize

    • If your son shows signs of readiness and has an accident, use it as a teaching moment. Toddlers may be so focused on doing something else that they forget that they need to use the bathroom, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Give your child positive support and reassurance whether he has an accident, or he is having a potty training session. A parent who is critical or negative during potty training may find that toddlers are reluctant to speak up when they need to pee.

    How Parents Can Help

    • Since children may get distracted or have trouble verbalizing a need to use the toilet, parents can offer assistance. Encouraging your toddler to use the bathroom before leaving home, and at regular intervals, can reduce accidents, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. When it becomes part of the daily routine, toddlers may be more inclined to remember and verbalize a need to go.

    Additional Information

    • Some toddlers may need to receive a benefit for expressing a need to use the toilet, according to KidsHealth. Offering stickers or other small prizes for children who express a need to pee may encourage that behavior to continue. You may also want to read a story to your child while he is using the toilet, according to Boston Children's Hospital. If toilet training is made a positive experience, your little one may have more incentive to tell you ahead of time that he needs to pee. If your toddler still has trouble verbalizing a need to go, talk to his pediatrician about what you can do to help.

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