Potty Training 1-2-3 : What Works, How It Works, Why It Works

by Gary Ezzo

Do the math: If a mother averages six diaper changes a day, she'll change 2,190 diapers during her baby's first year. Things improve slightly over the next twelve months. Based on five changes a day, she'll add another 1,825 diaper changes to her score. By the time her child is half- way to her third birthday, Mom will pass the 5,000 mark. That's a lot of dirty diapers! If this mom is you, it's no wonder you might be thinking seriously about potty training. While successful potty training in itself isn't considered a developmental milestone in a child's life, it is nonetheless an important transition for both you and your child. The good news is that potty training doesn't have to be complicated and neither does a book that explains it. Busy moms need a resource that gives them comprehensive information without a lot of unnecessary details and presents them with options instead of a one-size-fits-all program. Potty Training 1-2-3 provides all of that and more. The more is in the results.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

106 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2004

Reviews

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know nothing about potty training so this was a great book to teach me what to do. I learned that my son is not ready yet, so I'll just have to wait until he shows the signs.

I typed up key points for when my son is ready so I don't have to recheck out the book. Here they are for those interested.


Phases of bladder readiness:

Awakening Phase – child becomes aware of the new sensation of bladder pressure but doesn’t fully know what it means or what to do. (18-24mos)

Mediating Phase – Child becomes aware that she can control the release of her urine. Child associates sensation of urinating followed by uncomfortable feeling of wet diaper. Produces signs of readiness to potty train. Want his diaper changed. (22-32 mos)

Educational Phase – Child learns what to do with the sensation other than releasing in the diaper. Learn how to check for dryness, pull pants down and sit on potty, control his push release muscles, and how to clean up after himself. (22-36 mos)

Primary Signs of readiness:
Stays dry for two or more hours
Has regular bowl movements
Wakes up dry from nap
Stop an activity while urinating or messing in diaper
Stands a certain way and hold diaper while eliminating
Interested in training pants
Wants to imitate parents or siblings and use potty
Able to understand a follow simple instructions

Secondary Signs of Readiness:
Can sit and play quietly for 5 minutes
Can put toys where they belong on own
Can dress and undress
Has a name for urine and bowl movements

Not all signs need to be there, but most of them should before beginning potty training.

Don’t start potty training at a transitional time, such as a move, new sibling, child recovering from illness, etc.

Find a doll or teddy bear that can fit in a child size diaper and use the potty to teach child. Doll doesn’t necessarily have to really wet.

Progressive Potty training - take one to three days

Clear calendar for one to four days to allow uncesseary interuptions

Snacks – to reward child and to increase child’s thirst- potato chips, pretzels, ice cream, cookies, candy, peanuts. Stay away from binding snacks like cheese.

Liquid intake – give lots to increase the output

Buy snacks a couple days before you start and leave them out to get child excited for potty training. Show the potty doll/bear night before to also build excitement. Give treat after showing her the doll using potty for being a good learner.

Breakfast should start with plenty of liquids and bland food – save sweets for later.

After breakfast start role-playing with doll. Give toddler a sippy to give to the doll. Then let toddler drink.
Wait a few minutes and ask child to check doll for dryness by placing finger on front of dolls pants. Doll will be dry of course and praise doll for staying dry and give doll a treat that the child “Shares.”

A few minutes later encourage her to bring the doll to the potty. If the doll doesn’t wet put water in potty beforehand or turn on sink water for sound effects. When child see doll went potty clap hands in praise. The doll stayed dry and used potty so gets a double reward. Have child pull up doll’s pants, empty potty in to big toilet, flush, and wash hands.

In the next five minutes ask child to check for dryness. If dry, offer a treat. Wait a few minutes and then got to the potty. Have child sit from 4-10 minutes. Read or put on a video. Don’t let child get frustrated. If he doesn’t go, try again in 15-20 minutes. Let him remember the double treats he’ll get for going.

Ask “are you dry?” for the next several hours and reward for it. Success come from rewarding the right thinking – staying dry and clean. Using the potty isn’t the objective but staying dry and clean. Only reward on potty if he goes.

Set timer to remind you to ask if dry and use the potty. Start potty schedule. Check for dryness every 30 minutes and after 2 hours of dryness every 15 minutes.

If child usually has bowel movement after breakfast have a potty sitting right after and read while he sits. If he urinates three time between breakfast and lunch plan 5-6 trips to the potty during that time.

Difference in an accident and a child who would rather mess pants than use the potty. Bowel accidents are easier to control than bladder.

Night time dryness doesn’t necessarily day time right away. Not a problem until 4 or 5 years. To help, stretch bladder by having them wait to urinate as long as possible. Have them start and stop urinating a few time to strengthen muscles.

Encourage child to stay on potty some extra time to make sure bladder is completely emptied.

Use potty before going out and when you get to destination. You can bring your own potty chair if don’t want to use public bathroom.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It really didn't take me months to read this thin, 110 page book. I just have had it on my shelf for that long and peeked at it now and then. Since I've decided to start potty training on August 15, I wanted to read this book in one sitting from beginning to end. It only took a little over an hour or so with a couple interruptions.

I liked the book because it reassured me that Audrey is definitely ready. But it also confused me a little because I read a 3 Day Potty Training method a month ago and had decided to go with that.
The basics are the same:
-Block out about 3/4 days where the only thing going on in your house is potty training
-Give lots of liquids
-Give foods/snacks that will help them drink more
-Use rewards

Some are different:
-Taking to the potty every so often VS. Only going when the child tells you or when you notice some body language
-Daytime & nighttime training at different times VS. doing both at the same time (In other words, using pull-ups or covers over panties VS. going "cold turkey"
-Key phrases Asking "Are you clean and dry? VS. Saying "Tell Mama when you need to go potty."
-Using a doll/stuffed animal to train VS. other book didn't mention this that I recall

I will probably do a combination of both, pick the things that fit what I think Audrey would go along with and also what I'm willing to go along with. A big thing is me being ready too!

[Kiersti Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was short! Perfectly concise. I loved the approach. It involves many families experiences. I have potty trained my oldest and was looking at books to refresh my memory for my next child and came across this one. It spoke truths that I learned with my oldest. It also introduced a training concept I hadn't heard of or thought of but I think will be highly successful and helpful. I got this from my library, but I'll probably buy it. This book is realistic.

[Deborah Camuglia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wanted to give this book a 5 star. It was great! I would definitely recommend it. However, it did not deal with regression and issues as much as I would have liked.
Super practical. Easy to read.

[Meghan Reedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started at 4 stars, but now that I’m putting it into practice it’s definitely more difficult than the book made it out to be 😅

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this little book up, because it was one of the few on potty training that was available that particular day at the local library. I was a little bit hesitant, because after reading Baby Wise by the same author, I didn't think his approach to parenting matched up with my own.

Fortunately this little book is a gem with lots of advice, and jam-packed with different techniques and methods for all sorts of kids (and parents) who are thinking about (or are) potty training.
Definitely one I would like to own!

[Kersten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sweet, and to the point. I appreciate that it wasn't repetitive like other parenting books. While I have already potty trained a couple kids there wasn't a lot of new information, but it did give me some ideas that have worked well with my daughter and shortly after reading this we finally did have some success in potty training. I wouldn't say she is trained yet, but we are on our way, which is awesome since a couple weeks ago she was refusing to try at all.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

We'll see how it works. The strategy seems simple and easy to follow... too easy. We tried on 1-4-08 to potty train but he just isn't ready. We'll wait until he is a little older and then try and implement this training process. If only it could be that easy... right?

Started 1-2-08
Finished 1-3-08
102pp

[Kelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically the same method as toilet training in less than a day, but without all the reasoning behind it. A bit simplified as well. Again, a nice clear plan, but not much in the way of other tips. I prefer the toilet training in less than one day as I like to know some of the reasoning behind the method.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good ideas, and not condescending. I'll give it five stars if it works (unfortunately, not sure when I have a free weekend to implement its strategies).

[Elena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Potty training my daughter was a 9 month ordeal from hell. Nothing, including this book, seemed to work. But for an easier situation, I think it's a good book choice on the subject. By far the most thorough I found.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that this book incorporates a variety of potty training methods and gives you a variety of ways to go about it. The why behind everything was very helpful and I love the idea of "dry and clean" as the rewarded behavior instead of going on the potty. We'll see how it works!

[Janis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!! If you follow the directions carefully and are really committed, you can potty train your child in 3 days. We were clueless, first-time parents and it worked! It was like potty training boot camp though....very intense.

[Rhonda D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the book in about an hour! This sets forth some good training tips. It covers some general guidelines about child readiness and then discusses 3 methods of training. It clearly favors one method but describes the others and explains why some might choose the other methods.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this guys approach with children. Had some great ideas in here on handling the whole potty training process.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This quick, concise read offered very good advice on potty-training that I've found to be helpful.

[Lindsey]

...nothing really new...all the books are mostly the same

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok - I am going to give it a shot. I hope that it works. Keep your fingers crossed - I am so over diapers!

[Kelsie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short and simple, this book has good information for a first-time potty-trainer (me). The ideas were quite general, though. And the book had several typos/usage errors, which drives me crazy.

[Kris Irvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is worth a read. Good ideas, a decent strategy, and it's short which I appreciate. We start potty training later this week, so hopefully this book's advice really works.

[Justin Duke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starting the process next weekend. Could get more stars depending on how it goes...

[Alexia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book okay. It gives three different strategies for potty training. I had the most difficult time with potty training. It just clicked with my son at 3 years old.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource. It's short and concise and briefly covers a few different approaches to potty training. Really it was the only one I needed to read.

[Trish Boese · Rating 4 out of 5]

4* I found this to be a great resource when it was time to potty-train.

[Faythe Swanson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't agree with some of the suggestions & didn't find it to be very helpful, either. Good thing it was a quick read!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very simple read and very straight forward. We'll see how well it works with the twins