Tips for Potty Training, Potty Training while Travelling and Common Potty Training Practices

This year, more than 320,000 toddlers will begin potty training in Canada, and their active parents will be looking for guidance. Between pre-school and check-ups, parents of toddlers have plenty of activities to juggle – and there's no reason why potty training should add to the stress.

There are a number of ways that parents can help make the potty training process easier for both themselves and their children. First, take advantage of the latest potty training advances. PULL-UPS® Training Pants go off and on like toddler underwear, and stay on. And, they're the only ones with Easy Open Sides – just in case!

The Internet is also a great resource for parents looking for the latest tips and tools. At www.pull-ups.com parents can learn the latest potty training techniques from the Potty Training Partners – a group of parents, pediatricians and child care professionals who have been hand-picked by PULL-UPS® Brand and who know first-hand the highs and lows of potty training.

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Potty Training Tips

Potty Training While Travelling

Common Potty Training Practices

POTTY TRAINING TIPS

The Potty Training Partners offer their own practical advice, tips and real-life experiences so potty training can be a celebrated milestone for both parents and children. Here are a few of their key tips to help make potty training easier:

Every child is different, so look for signs of readiness before starting the process, such as staying dry for at least two hours, showing interest in the toilet or bathroom and wanting wet diapers changed.
Show your toddler the difference between diapers and training pants.
To hold your child's interest, read stories while he's on the potty.
Use consistent words and reminders – a potty training routine provides security for children.
Celebrate and reward successes such as using the potty or washing hands to keep him interested in continuing with the process. Try a progress chart with colourful, fun stickers.
Products such as PULL-UPS® Training Pants help kids learn the difference between wet and dry with graphics that fade when wet.

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POTTY TRAINING WHILE TRAVELLING

Whether you're travelling to Grandma's this weekend or just going to the mall, potty training stops for no one. Potty training away from home does present some challenges, but there's no reason why you and your little one can't continue the process – and have fun too!

PULL-UPS® Training Pants has put together a list of tips for parents and caregivers who have their little ones in tow during their travels. More information can be found at www.pull-ups.com.

Training Pants: Be consistent even when routines are disrupted. Be sure to keep plenty of PULL-UPS® Training Pants on hand. PULL-UPS® Training Pants go off and on like toddler underwear and stay on. And, they're the only ones with Easy Open Sides, just in case.
Potty Chair or Seat: Having a potty seat will make having to go in a strange place easier and more comfortable for your child.
Stickers and Snacks: Be sure to stash away simple rewards like small toys, snacks and stickers for accomplishments on the road. If you forget to pack them, there's always praise, high-fives and hugs–no extra room required!
Books and Tapes: Playing or singing potty training songs in the car is a great way to keep training habits top-of-mind and a fun way to pass time on a long drive. Visit www.pull-ups.com for some great song ideas!
Overnight Trips: Bring your child's favourite things to help make strange places more familiar, including bath toys, blankets, favourite drinking cups and familiar bathroom items.

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COMMON POTTY TRAINING PRACTICES

In 2003, more than 320,000 Canadian toddlers will begin the potty training process. PULL-UPS® Brand, makers of PULL-UPS® Training Pants with Easy Open Sides, recently conducted a national survey of parents from coast to coast. Below are the results of how Canadians feel about potty training their little ones.

Mom does most of the potty training. 75% of Canadian toddlers receive their potty training from mom. 20% receive their potty training from both parents. 4% have dad provide them with most of the potty training.

Potty training is a significant milestone. Parents with toddlers aged two to four rate potty training high in significance (83%) when it comes to milestones in their toddler's life. In comparison, parents ranked thumb sucking lowest over all other milestones tested:

Moving into a bed: 70%
Starting pre-school: 60%
Overcoming thumb sucking: 21%

Parents and toddlers agree potty training is a challenge

45% of parents agree that successfully completing potty training is challenging for their child compared with moving into a bed (27%), starting pre-school (19%), and overcoming thumb sucking (9%)

The majority of parents (51%) agree that successfully completing potty training is challenging for them compared with starting pre-school (25%), moving into a bed (25%) and overcoming thumb sucking (10%)

Regional differences apparent

Parents in Alberta (86%) are more likely than parents in Manitoba/Saskatchewan (78%), Ontario (76%) B.C. (75%) Quebec (71%) and the Atlantic (67%) to say that Mom does more of the potty training

Quebec parents see potty training as a more serious challenge for children than do parents across the country as a whole (62% vs. 45%)

For more information on potty training, visit www.pull-ups.com

PULL-UPS® Potty Training Survey conducted by COMPAS from May 16 – May 21, 2003. The survey was completed nationwide among 400 Canadian parents of toddlers between the ages 2 – 4, whose children are currently being potty trained or have been fully potty trained. Samples of this size are deemed accurate to within 4.9 percentage points 19 times out of 20.

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