5 Ways to Use Potty Training Pants Effectively

by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

Potty training effectively involves many factors, such as patience and consistency. If you have decided to use training pants as effective means of potty training your child, there are some things you'll need to know. As a mom of multiple children, I'm sharing 5 ways to effectively use potty training pants, based on my experiences. These are methods I've tried with success.

Don't Use the Potty Training Pants Like Diapers
Never treat the potty training pants the same as diapers. Using them as diapers only confuses the child. Use diapers during nap times and at night until training is done. When accidents occur, unless the potty training pants are messy, have the child sit on the toilet and wipe instead of treating it like a diaper change. This helps teach the child that the toilet is now the proper place for restroom duties and that potty training pants are not a diaper.

Be Consistent
Once you start using potty training pants, do not revert to diapers on some days and use potty training pants on others. This only confuses the child and could actually hinder the potty training process. If you are going to use potty training pants, stick with that plan. That will help the child understand the importance of the task. Consistency is key.

Be a Teacher, Not a Dictator
Children don't always get everything right on the first try. In fact, sometimes they aren't even willing to try at first. While using the toilet is a natural thing for us, it is new to children and maybe scary. Be gentle and explain how to properly use the potty training pants. Do not just give orders. Help the child understand and get it right. When the child gets it wrong, simply go over the lesson again. Say things like "When it's time to use the potty, use your big kid pants the way I showed you." You may have to repeat such phrases often. In doing so, be a teacher, not a dictator.

Use Potty Training Pants Geared Toward Your Child
Pay attention to your child's activities and make other observations to determine which potty training pants to use. If your child likes the diaper area cleaned immediately, potty training pants that have wet strips may be a good idea. Pampers Feel N' Learn is one example. Another thing to pay attention to is any skin sensitivities or issues with the way the potty training pants fit.

Let the Child Choose From Types That Work
Once you know about a variety of options that work for your child, let your child choose his or her potty training pants. This makes them seem even more special in the eyes of some children. Not only will they proud of themselves when they use them properly, but they may even brag that they picked them out themselves. Kids love to be a part of decision-making. It makes them proud. For some kids, this will make them more open to using the potty training pants.

*I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network