My Child Is Still Wearing Diapers, Should I Be Concerned?
What should you do if your child is still wearing diapers? In this article we will take your worries away.
When children should be potty trained is a common question among parents. If you don’t know the answer, you probably have the same concerns as others. So keep reading to find useful information on this topic.
My child is still wearing diapers: is it normal?
We could say that “normal” has more to do with social pressure than anything else. Many people think that children should stop using diapers by the age of 3. However, in terms of biology, you don’t have to be so strict.
If your child is over 3 years old and can’t go to the bathroom by himself, people often blame the parents. They say that the parents are not raising him properly, or that they started too late.
In kindergarten, other moms can put a somewhat annoying strain on their child’s bladder control. Therefore, it is normal for a mother to be embarrassed to admit that her child is still wearing diapers. They may even be embarrassed.
Should I be concerned if my child is still wearing diapers?
Do not worry. It’s not worth traumatizing your child just because other kids his age are potty trained. The same happens with other milestones related to development. Parents do it, for example, by walking, talking or eating with cutlery.
It is not an incentive, lack of education or parental negligence. In fact, it has everything to do with biological maturation. It is common for children between 2 and 3 years old to be ready to start toilet training.
However, as we mentioned earlier, there is no fixed timetable. That is why it is very important to be patient. At the same time, make sure your child is ready for this very important time in his life.
Getting your child out of diapers takes time
Some children have the ability to be out of diapers in a short period of time. However, most take a few weeks to complete.
In order for children to go to the bathroom alone, their organs and nervous systems must be mature. This occurs around age 3, although this varies from child to child.
You can tell when your child is ready for potty training when he announces that he has soiled his diaper and wants to be changed. Even if he tells you that he is peeing or pooping at the moment, or that he is planning to.
These are the signals that the child understands what is happening to his body and that the bladder or bowel is sending messages to the brain.
Tips for potty training in children
What should you keep in mind if your child is still wearing diapers? Here are some guidelines:
- Being out of diapers has nothing to do with age. It has everything to do with biology.
- It’s not a competition with other moms. Don’t pay attention to comments that compare your child to others.
- This is just one phase of many. Don’t sit around waiting for the moment to remove your child’s diaper.
- Avoid punishing your child if he can’t use the toilet yet.
- Imposing your will on your child is counterproductive. Your child will not stop using diapers until he feels like it.
- Note that there may be regressions. These are normal, especially when faced with certain challenges. The arrival of a sibling, a move, and more can all trigger regressions.
No worries potty trained
To make the process more fun and effective, as a parent you need to pay close attention to what your child needs. Buying a colorful training jar or inventing games can be a good idea.
You can also show them how to sit by setting the example yourself. Plus, you can read a story while he’s waiting to pee, and praise him when he accomplishes his goal. But keep a lot of spare underwear on hand for accidents.
“My child is still wearing diapers” is an expression many teachers hear. However, it is not something to be ashamed of or feel guilty about. But please note that a primary school can refuse a child if it is not yet toilet trained.
Many children, around 3 years old, can go to the toilet on their own. Your child needs your help and support for this, not pressure or impatience.