They learn to do this early in life by overriding the normal tendency of the sphincter to relax; they forcibly contract their sphincter instead and prevent urine from escaping. This forced contraction to hold urine back is a normal reaction and not particularly harmful.
There are many different reasons why your little one may be experiencing potty training anxiety. Maybe it's an irrational fear about being flushed down the toilet, or the flushing noise it makes is just too loud. Or perhaps they feel anxious about using a bathroom in an unfamiliar place, like anywhere but home.
Holding urine too long can cause urinary tract infections, especially in girls. Kids should urinate five or six times per day, she says — about every two to three hours. Chronic holders may also have more issues with daytime wetting (enuresis).
Late potty training is when your child is over 3 years of age, shows no signs of developmental delays, and is still not toilet trained after six months of training.
Encourage your child to blow bubbles or try to inflate a balloon while they're sitting on the toilet – it uses the same muscles you need when weeing and pooing, so will help them get used to the sensation.
Leave a potty where your child can see it and explain what it's for. Children learn by watching and copying. If you've got an older child, your younger child may see them using it, which will be a great help. It helps to let your child see you using the toilet and explain what you're doing.
Call your doctor if your baby or child has a dry mouth, fewer tears than usual, and no wet diapers or hasn't urinated in more than 6 hours. Get emergency help right away if your child or baby is very sleepy and hard to wake up, or if your baby or child hasn't had any wet diapers or hasn't urinated in 12 or more hours.
“It works for some kids, but others may not be ready,” says Dr. Posner. If, at the end of the three days, your toddler is still putting up signs of resistance, pack up the potty seat and try again a few weeks, using either the three-day potty training method or a different technique altogether.
In fact, refusal is the biggest challenge facing parents who potty train. Does it mean you shouldn't do it (NO!). The truth is, refusal happens because most children start in the toddler years when this way of being is a la mode. Toddlerhood is the breeding ground of refusal, but don't let this put you off.
Your Child Will Eventually Potty Train
At each age, there are different milestones you will notice. Set aside any strongly held expectations about exactly when potty training will be complete or how long it will take. On average, it takes 8 months to potty train a child, and many children take even longer.
When young children become dependent on diapers or pull-ups, they don't learn how to recognize the need to go to the bathroom. Their inability to control their bladder and bowels at an early age can actually affect their bladder- and bowel-control as they grow older.
Don't make a big deal
Rest assured, friend: your child won't rely on diapers forever. Kids will come around to potty training on their own. Sometimes, that's simply when they're ready, both physically and mentally. But other times, they'll finally take to the potty when we stop making a big deal out of it.
DON'T force it or punish your toddler. Create a plan for consistency. A common strategy is taking your child to the potty every 30 or 60 minutes for the first couple of days. If that goes well, try to extend the periods between tries.
They're Not Ready
Some children are not developmentally ready to learn yet, while others resist attempts to learn as a means of control. Difficulty potty training may also be caused by a medical issue, such as chronic constipation.
Increase fluid intake earlier in the day and reduce it later in the day, stopping fluid intake after dinner. Schedule bathroom breaks. Get your child on a regular urination schedule (every two to three hours) and right before bedtime. Be encouraging and positive.
Many professionals recommend skipping pull-ups for daytime potty training. Instead, go straight to underwear so your baby understands how it feels when they pee. Pull-ups have similar absorbency to diapers, so it may confuse your child to have pull-ups on during potty training.
Allow your child to play on the potty so they can get used to it. Most children complete potty training by 36 months. The average length it takes kids to learn the process is about six months. Girls learn faster, usually completing toilet training two to three months before boys do.
Most children will continue to need assistance wiping after bowel movements and using unfamiliar restrooms until they are around 4-6 years old. Potty training schedules can vary greatly from child to child. The average length of time is generally about 3 months, with girls generally learning a little faster than boys.
However, there are a few instances where decreased urination can indicate an underlying issue, such as inadequate hydration for toddlers. If the child is not urinating for 12 hours, this may be a sign of dehydration. Bladder dysfunction, an infection, or obstruction in the flow can also cause reduced urine output.