When your child begins to reach a little older age, you know that you must start with one of the most inconvenient transitions during development. This transition is in which the child or baby begins to stop using diapers and learns to use the bathroom, which must be adapted for her comfort.
When children leave the diaper it means that they have achieved the necessary capacity to control their physiological needs, so it is very important to know at what stage it is necessary to help them achieve it.
At what age do children start to leave diapers?
In general terms, it is recommended to start the process or transition so that the child stops using diapers when he begins to develop his neurological maturity and learn to regulate urine or defecation. This stage begins at approximately from 18 months, before this age it could become more complicated to achieve and parents would suffer from frustration at not being able to achieve it.
It is very common that, when the child is between 18-20 months, they begin the process of leaving the diapers, mainly during the day, removing the diaper at night can become a little more complicated and can take up to a year.
However, although the process of leaving diapers during the day is a success between 20-30 months, it is natural that they leak, or pee when sleeping.
Why is the Montessori style recommended to help remove or leave diapers?
The creator of the Montessori method recommends that parents be sure that their child is ready to leave the diaper, regardless of whether they are 2 or 3 years old, the child needs to be physiologically trained to control their sphincters.
María Montessori, educational psychologist and creator of this method, teaches us that this style consists of explaining to the child everything he can feel when he feels like urinating or pooping.
In addition, parents should be attentive to the gestures that the child makes when he feels like going to the bathroom, and even ask them at all times if they feel like urinating or pooping.
What Montessori phrases are recommended for children to give up diapers?
It is normal that during the learning period he tends to have some leaks, but you still have to stay by his side, supporting him and offering him confidence, there will be setbacks, but there will be much more progress.
For this reason, it is necessary that you offer motivation, comfort and also accept that each child progresses at their own pace, in addition, you can be their support using some of these phrases and demonstrations:
- You can show him the environment: “Look, this is a toilet, like the one mom and dad use” or “I’m going to the bathroom, do you want to join me?“
- It is also very helpful to talk to him while you change his diaper and explain step by step how he do it.
- Look at his behavior and accompany him with phrases like “You look a little uncomfortable, did you get wet? We can go change.”
- Encourage fun and entertainment, whether it’s offering to read a book in the potty, creating games related to the bathroom or steps to go to the toilet.
Montessori style tricks and techniques to remove or leave diapers
The Montessori method for leaving the diaper is recommended by many parents who have used it before and have done very well throughout the process. However, there are some tricks or recommendations to take into account so that the process is bearable and comfortable for both the child and the parents.
Don’t try to rush the process
Although it is recommended that children leave the diaper approximately at the age of 2-3 years, there is no reason to advance the process since each child has their own rhythm. For this reason, it is important to make sure that he is fully prepared, in order to have more progress than setbacks and not generate frustration in the child or in the parents.
Equip the bathroom well
It is very important to have at hand all the necessary tools for this transition, such as a urinal and a ladder to be able to climb alone to the toilet. This recommendation is essential when implementing the Montessori method so that the child can get everything he needs first-hand.
Allow the child to wear loose clothing
On the other hand, it is necessary to emphasize that, when learning to use the toilet alone, the child needs to become independent little by little and be able to do it by himself. Loose clothing will help him to be able to undress and dress himself without having to depend on his parents.
Do not force to use the toilet
Forcing a child to use the toilet will make him believe that it is a punishment, thus opening the possibility of suffering from constipation or conflicts to adapt to it. On the other hand, you could ask him from time to time if he needs to go to the bathroom and be attentive to her gestures and behaviors.
Do not use rewards and punishments
Using rewards or punishments when learning to use the toilet could give the child the impression that he is fulfilling a challenge, adding pressure to the process. This natural transition is part of child development, and the ideal is not to condition making it believe that it is a challenge to meet.
Motivate the child without pressuring him
Although it is not recommended to give rewards for keeping the diaper dry and using the toilet, you can help the child in the process by supporting and motivating him throughout the transition. This can help him move forward, but without pressuring him, remember that this is his first step toward feeling “independent” and he needs to do it on his own.
Respect their time
Finally, keep in mind that each child is a different world, and each one develops at different times, some may take longer to leave the diaper than others. As a parent, it is important to learn to respect the times of each child so that their process is more natural and without pressure.