Is Your Four Year Not Potty Trained? What Should You Do?

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four year not potty trained

Potty training is a very important milestone in the development of your child. Most children learn to use the toilet between 18 months and 3 years. However, you may be a part of a situation in which your four-year-old is not potty trained, or that you might not have any experience of raising a child. But, there is no need to sweat as we will provide you with all the necessary information you need to toilet train your kid.

Four year not potty trained: What is the right time to start?

So you have a four-year-old not potty trained, running around in his or her diaper and you’re running after them to change. This may lead you to think you should’ve trained them earlier. Although the average age by which children learn this developmental milestone is around 27 months, there is no specific age limit.

Some children are toilet trained by 18-24 months, whereas others may still be wetting their nappies by 3-4 years. So the question that would pop up here is, “When is the right time for me to potty train, my child?” Children younger than 18 months or 1 year do not have bladder or bowel control. Hence trying to train such a young child is not a good idea and would not provide good results.

The best time to transition from a diaper to the toilet is dependent on the following things

  • The ability of your child to be able to focus
  • Your child’s development
  • Signs of readiness

Is Your Child Ready to Use the Potty?

You may have noticed your child showing the need to empty their bowel or bladder such as crossing their legs, making certain faces, or holding on to their genitals. Apart from these, other signs showing that your child is ready to say goodbye to the nappy routine are as follows

  • Your child is having longer periods of a dry diaper
  • He or she can sit down and rise from a toilet seat or potty
  • Their bowel habits are more scheduled
  • They can verbally tell their needs and desires
  • Children maybe want to imitate you or other adults including elder siblings
  • They can follow simple instructions

Also Read: My Newborn Makes Weird Sounds While Asleep – Is It Normal?

How Long Does It Take To Potty Train?

So you have decided to mount on the journey of teaching your four years old who is not potty trained yet. One important thing to remember is that this is not an overnight job. It takes an average of between 3 to 6 months, but it may take less or more time for other children. So you would have to exercise a lot of patience here.

Four Year Not Potty Trained: Which Type of Potty to Use?

2 basic options that can be used when you start toilet training your toddler

  • A stand-alone potty which is a toddler-size chair with a bowl which can be emptied into the toilet. When using this, you have to make sure that it is safe, and comfortable for your child’s bottom to fit on.
  • A seat reducer which fits on a regular toilet seat and reduces the seat size to a comfortable size for your child. They take up less floor space (if any at all), and are a better option as they further reduce one step of transition from diaper to a regular toilet. Whereas with a stand-alone potty, you would have to trouble yourself and your toddler again to learn how to adjust with a toilet seat.

Also Read: My Baby Is Not Pooping But Passing Gas – What Should I Do?

When Not To Consider Potty Training?

Being a parent of toddlers is overwhelming and in this ride, potty training is a tough step too. Where you might consider acing this task as quick as possible, there are a few instances where you should not consider starting potty training in the first place, such as:

  • Switching your kid from a crib to the bed.
  • When your child is sick, especially when he has loose stools.
  • Around the birth of a new baby
  • When traveling
  • When changing your home
  • Or when you’re caught up in a busy schedule.

What About Potty Training For a Child With Special Needs?

If you are parents to a child with special needs, taking a leap from diapers to underpants would take place at a later time than other kids. Mostly, this milestone is completed somewhere after 5 years, but the timeline varies between different children.

You should talk to your doctor if you feel your child is ready. They will provide you information as well as guidance and tips on how to get through this.

Also Read: How Do Babies Get Colic? All You Need To Know

Four Year Not Potty Trained: Let’s Bring In The Training Pants!

Your kid’s nighttime bladder and bowel habits may differ from their daytime routine. Often there will be a lag in learning how to control their bladder and bowel at night. But this isn’t something you should fret about. This is where some parents prefer using disposable training pants.

Others also consider these as a handy option when they are leaving the house or are out and about for any reason. Once the kids start getting used to this and you feel that the pants remain dry for a few days, you can safely make the transition from training pants to underwear.

Four Year Not Potty Trained: Some Helpful Toilet Training Tips!

Learning to use the toilet is a huge success story for your child and you as well. To make the process smoother, here are a few handy tips:

  • Potty training is a time consuming and patience requiring task. Try setting aside some time for it.
  • Avoid clothes that are hard for your toddler to take off when he or she is potty training.
  • Try working on a routine. Like, if your child wakes up with a dry diaper, you can tell them to sit on the potty. Also, encourage them to use the toilet an hour or two after meals. Practice this only a couple of times during the day. You can ask your toddler to get up if they don’t feel like emptying their bowel or bladder.
  • Accidents can happen and it’s okay! Don’t scold the child as this is a huge setback in the training process.
  • Offer your kid a reward or praise them every time they successfully use the potty.
  • Allow them to choose their favorite underpants to encourage them to use these over diapers.

Successful Potty Training: Take Home Message

Potty training is a huge sign of development and a significant part of your child’s life. It’s important to remember that every child is an individual. While there may be timelines as to when the process starts or might finish, there is no hard and fast rule.

Accidents are normal and constant support and encouragement will do wonders for your child’s growth!

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