Deciding when to potty train and how to potty train are two very big decisions parents have to make. There are certainly key signs that help parents determine when their child might be ready, but how to go about getting children to literally take that leap, takes some practice and skill. In fact, how and when to potty train can vary from child to child.

Today, Parents Ask experts Foster Cline, Betsy Braun Brown and Dr. Anne Corwin discuss potty training, the differences between boys and girls, signs of readiness, and major DOs and DON'Ts....

#VIDEO

Need one more "flush?" Here's the breakdown:

Foster Cline, MD: "There are some differences between boys and girls..."

•    Boys tend to mature more slowly in general.  Boys might take a little longer to reach readiness milestones.
•    Girls are more in tune with their bodies, while boys can be less likely to pay attention to what their body is telling them. Also, boys might be more active than their female counterparts.  Boys just aren’t as interested in stopping down activity to use the potty.
•    Boys’ physiology might develop more slowly than girls’, not allowing them to stay dry as long as girls at night. 
•    Same-sex parent easier to learn from: In most cases, mom is the primary potty teacher.  It’s easier to learn from a parent with the same equipment.

Betsy Brown Braun: "Here are some readiness signs for both boys and girls..."

•    Child should show in interest in getting themselves dress-  signifies Independence
•    Do they participate in cleaning up- this will signify they are ready to understand where their pee and poop goes
•    Language Skills and Communication - Signifies they understand their bodies and can differentiate between pee and poop
•    Can they tell you when they go pee or poop or need to go

Anne Corwin, Ph.D:  "There are some major DO's and DONT'

•    Don't train your child to use the toilet – TEACH him how to use it.  Toilet behavior is a learned behavior.
•    Don't give (m & m's) or promise (the big red truck on the top shelf) your child 'things' during this process.
•    Don't make threats. (quick reason why)

•    Do - respect a child's biology to complete this developmental task.
•    Do - change your child's diapers in the bathroom.
•    Do - allow your child to own this accomplishment –  toilet learning is not done to make parents happy.