Potty Training - We are sharing what we are doing for potty training in our household.

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Potty Training

Hi Everyone, as I write this, we are in the process of potty training our son Marc, our middle/2nd child. I am sharing the book we are following, products and generally, how it's going!

I am certainly no expert on potty training, honestly, sharing about this is more of a catharsis for me because I found it a hard thing to start but now that we are in the middle of it, it's getting easier.

Perhaps, sharing my experience with help someone else, another parent/mom out there!

Potty Training Progress with My Son

Before this, over the past year, we have had days and some weekends when we would do "test runs" of potty training but not a "full-on" potty training.

Why we are potty training now: Here we are a month and a half shy of Marc starting preschool (if there is in person preschool during this pandemic), he's little over 2 ½ years old. I know we could have started earlier but my attention was divided because I gave birth to my 3rd child in early June. I just could not deal with it when I was pregnant, I didn't have the mental bandwidth. I know he's completely ready.

Days 1-3

Just to be clear, we are day-time potty training. I want to have that down before night time potty training. We did this with my daughter and it worked well.

I have several reasons for this, one of which, I want him to be able to safely be able to go to the potty in the middle of the night without assistance and I think he needs to grow a little bit larger to do that. He is big for a 2 ½ year old, well, larger than my daughter was at his age but if he doesn't have a guard on his bed, he falls out, for example. Every family is different, and every family needs to do what's right for them.

Marc had some accidents in the first 3 days. The first night, he actually had trouble sleeping, I think he was processing everything he learned that day. I understand that he understands everything, even though he doesn't verbalize everything perfectly.

For the first week/7 days, he doesn't wear bottoms. This way nothing gets in the way of him being able to go potty and he can totally focus on that. We did try training underwear in the early days and looking back it was a mistake to do so before he had going to the potty down. When he had accidents, it was when he had the underwear on.

Days 3-6

Marc hasn't had any accidents and knows where to go. He's been using a simple small, portable potty as well as the large potty at times (with insert/ladder) for number 1 & 2. On day 7, we will start with loose bottoms, for him to practice maneuver his clothes.

I will come back and add updates as we make more progress. It was hard to start this process but I see progress every day and that's encouraging and making it easier for me.

I put together a list of items we use for this potty training process below, in case anyone is interested!

If you are or have gone though this process with your child, please share in the comments below. Let me know if you recommend certain books, methods or products.

Thank you for reading and following along!

This post may contain affiliate links which won't change your price but will share some commission.

Potty Training

Here is a list of items that we use and recommend for potty training!

Photo Credit: Amazon

Boys' Potty Time

We have the girls version of this book, it's great!

Photo Credit: Amazon

Potty Book for Girls, The (Hannah & Henry Series)

My kids love this book.

Photo Credit: Amazon

Kalencom Potette Plus 2-in-1 (Travel Potty) Trainer Seat White/Gray

This is a great travel potty

Sesame Street Boys' Toddler 7pk Potty Training Pant, 2T

We use these "training underwear" in 2T and 3T during potty training our kids. It has a soft, padded lining that absorbs some of the wetness, yet allows the child to "feel" some of the wetness.

Photo Credit: Amazon.com

Huggies Overnites Nighttime Diapers, Size 6, 48 Ct (Packaging May Vary)

These are the overnight diapers that we use for our kids before overnight potty training.

Photo Credit: Amazon.com

BabyBjörn 051225US Smart Potty, Gray/White

This is the potty that we have used for 2 kids in our household now. It's simple, has only 2 parts and is easy to clean.

Photo Credit: Amazon.com

Oh Crap! Potty Training: Everything Modern Parents Need to Know to Do It Once and Do It Right (1) (Oh Crap Parenting)

This book was recommended to me by another mom friend who swears by it. It has been helpful and I have been following this method.

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Sara Maniez

Owner at Life's Little Sweets

Sara is an architectural designer turned work-at-home Mom. She lives in New Jersey by way of New England and New York, with her husband and 3 kids under 8. She loves design, being creative, and spending time with family and friends. She loves checking out local businesses and eats and being apart of the local farm to table community.

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