Title: How to Start Potty Training - The New York Times
Headings: How to Start Potty Training
How to Start Potty Training
The Gist
Determine when your child is ready.
Look for signs that your child has the skills to potty train.
Motor skills:
Emotional development:
Cognitive skills:
Aim to start potty training when your stress levels are low.
Decide what’s best for your child to sit on.
Remind children to go, and be prepared for accidents.
Offer praise frequently, and don’t scold a potty-training child.
Don’t worry if your child is still wetting the bed.
When to Worry

Content: Life transitions such as major moves, a new day care, the loss of a loved one, a divorce or a new baby in the house may lead to added stress in the process. Dr. Amy Ciner, M.D., a pediatrician at Boston Children’s Health Physicians in the Bronx, tells parents that potty training can be less stressful if they plan to set aside an appropriate amount of time for it, be patient and anticipate setbacks along the way. Dr. Ciner said that “it can be helpful to begin the process over a long weekend or other occasion when caregivers may have extra time at home.” “In the beginning, it can be helpful to stay at home with your child and have them walk around naked from the waist down,” said Dr. Anthony Porto, M.D., a pediatric gastroenterologist, associate professor of pediatrics at Yale University and co-author of the “Pediatrician’s Guide to Feeding Babies and Toddlers.” He recommended setting a timer to remind your child to try to use the bathroom. Typically, the timer should go off every 10 to15 minutes throughout the entire first day (while your child is awake) to get her used to sitting on the potty and also to maximize successes and minimize accidents. Reward your child with praise every time she sits on the toilet. “ Over the course of a few days, as your child succeeds, begin to increase the duration of the timer to 20, 30 and 40 minutes and then remind your child at regular intervals to use the potty, especially when waking up or leaving the house,” said Dr. Porto. Decide what’s best for your child to sit on. Some kids are afraid of a big toilet seat, while others want to mimic a parent or an older sibling and use a ring on the toilet bowl.