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7 Questions You Should Ask Your Pediatrician About Potty Training

Potty training is a major milestone in your child's life. But before you can celebrate by ditching all of your diapers for good, you'll undoubtedly run into a few bumps in the road. Your child's pediatrician can be a great resource to help you answer some of the questions that have you scratching your head. If you're in deep doo doo, you need to know the questions you should ask your pediatrician about potty training.

If it seems as if your child is the last toddler on the planet walking around in diapers, you can breathe easy. As Parents mentioned, rather than worrying that your child be trained by a certain age, parents should wait until the child is interested in potty training and ready to learn. Your child's doctor can help you assess your child's readiness to begin potty training, help you determine the best training techniques, and answer your questions about bed wetting and constipation.

One of the most important things to remember about potty training is that every child is different. Although some will learn to go in a weekend, others will take a lot longer to get the hang of things. As the parent, you should remain patient and anticipate setbacks. And when you finally ditch the diapers for good, you and your child will be able to celebrate.

1

When Should We Start?

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Every child is different, but as Baby Center mentioned, most children begin potty training between 18 months and 3 years old. If you are unsure about whether or not to start potty training, your pediatrician can help you assess your child's readiness.

2

Why Won't He Do Number 2?

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For some children, it can take a little longer to master doing number 2 in the potty. As Parents mentioned, you should consult your pediatrician if you suspect your child is constipated. If it is painful for him to go, your child may be less inclined to go. Your doctor may be able to recommend a change to his diet or a safe stool softener to make things easier.

3

Is Bed Wetting Normal?

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Even if she's going to the potty like a pro during the day, you may still have some accidents at night. Bed wetting is common among young children. As pediatric urologist Dr. Steve Hodges mentioned on his site, nearly 15 percent of children wet the bed at age six.

4

What Training Techniques Work Best?

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If you've tried everything and have not been able to get your child to go, you may need to ask for a little help. As the folks at Procter and Gamble wrote on their blog, your pediatrician can give you some advice on the best potty training techniques for your child.

5

Should Her Poop/Pee Be That Color?

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When you become a parent you automatically become obsessed with your child's poop and pee. If you're worried about the size, shape, or color of what your child is leaving in the toilet, your doctor can help you determine whether or not it is something you should be worried about.

6

Should I Reward Him For Going To The Bathroom?

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I've known parents who have used everything from candy to toys to reward their toddler for successful trips to the potty. But is this the right thing to do? As Baby Center mentioned, your child's pediatrician can help you determine whether or not rewarding your child for going to the bathroom is helpful.

7

Why Is My Child Regressing?

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You thought you were done with diapers for good, but suddenly it seems like all of your hard work has been undone and your child is back to wetting himself. As WebMD mentioned, moving to a new home, the arrival of a new sibling, or other life changes can cause your child to slide backwards. Most often, this regression is a way for the child to get more attention from his parents. Your pediatrician can help you determine the cause of your child's potty training setbacks.