I shared a couple of weeks ago that I am excited to be part of the Pull-Ups Madrinas del Baño campaign.  Since we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our little boy #4 any day now {due Easter Sunday!!}, I really am not looking forward to still having a little guy in diapers.  But, for the first time in this almost 10-year journey of motherhood, I am truly at a loss as to what do or try next!  My sweet 3 and a half year-old is just not interested in potty training right now and I am trying to be patient and okay with that.  But, it’s hard.

That’s why when, as part of this wonderful campaign, I was given the opportunity to take part in an exclusive webinar teleconference with experts Dr. Andres Cotton and Jeannette Kaplun, I was ecstatic!  Having the opportunity to ask questions of these two would hopefully give me some clarity as to how to move on with this whole potty training thing.

Dr. Alberto Andres Cotton is a well-respected Miami based pediatrician with 17 years of experience. His career started out in Buenos Aires, Argentina where he graduated from the University of Buenos Aires, and then started his own private practice.  He now resides in Miami, Florida where he divides his time between working at the emergency center at Miami Children’s Hospital in addition to working at his own private practice. 

Jeanettte Kaplun is an award-winning journalist and internationally recognized parenting expert who has over 17 years experience in TV, radio, online media and as a published author and conference speaker.  She was born in El Paso, Texas, and raised in Chile, and is truly bilingual and bicultural.  In 2012 she launched her bilingual platform for Hispanic women who want to look, feel and do their best, Hispana Global. There she shares parenting tips, beauty, fashion, travel, technology and videos in English and Spanish.

During our webinar with these two experts, there were SEVERAL questions that were addressed and I am so grateful because their responses put my mind at ease.  Here are just a few that really resonated with me and my particular situation that I am currently in with trying to get my 3 year-old to be excited about potty training:

• Q:  At what age should I start to worry that my kid is not yet potty trained?

  A:  Dr. Cotton:  “It is a very interesting question. There is no age to worry in particular.  There is no adult that wets the bed. What does it mean that potty training deals with maturity? Because it has to do with maturity. For example, we cannot ask a 5-month-old babe to walk or talk because they are not mentally prepared. Well, this is similar to potty training. If the child is not mentally ready, they will not be able to go to the restroom even if you persist or if the daycare tells you they should be ready. They will not have control over it. You cannot force it upon your child either his mind, nervous system, and/or bladder is not ready. More or less around the age of 3 and a half, the American Pediatric Association does not worry yet. If there is a sign that the child began potty training but is still not successful, we give them time. There is no age or limit. By the age of 5, he/she should be able to control his/her urine at least.”

  Jeannette Kaplun: “And Doctor, it is very normal that boys overall cannot control themselves completely at night, for example at 10-years-old.”
   

• Q:  When should we make the switch from diapers to training pants? To underwear?

  A:  Dr. Cotton: “When the child is able to go to the restroom, stage 2. The child asks to go to the restroom and uses it without a problem. At that point it is easier for the American Pediatrics Association to say the child is ready because he/she can pull their underwear and it is more comfortable than putting on and taking off diapers. You waste more time with diapers.”
   

• Q:  In regards to potty training boys, do you introduce the potty to them standing up or sitting down?

  A: Dr. Cotton:  “Like I said, every family is different. A lot of the stuff in training comes from watching the dad or their mom. Therefore, if the boy watches their dad standing up they will usually learn standing up. Also, there are some children that need to be more relaxed like if they go do number two they are usually relaxed and pee right after. Every family is different; therefore, every child is taught differently. There is no correct way so either way is fine.”
   

• Q:  What to do when a child is not interested?

  A:  Dr. Cotton:  “If the child is young and does not pay attention to potty training because they may be developing other abilities or enjoying their youth, they should be allowed to enjoy what they are doing. If the child is not complaining about their pamper and is not asking to use the restroom, then they are not ready yet. Try a game to make them more interested and they will show interest once they are ready.”

  Jeannette Kaplun:  “I recommend for the child to watch their father use the restroom. At times, show them that their friends do not use a diaper anymore, not in a way of showing them that another child is doing something better than they are. Maybe their curiosity will awaken once watching others.”

Such great advice for parents who feel like they are “stuck” in the potty training rut, don’t you think?  I’ve also realized that when my son does decide to finally “be ready” to potty train, that we will undoubtedly make it a family affair – getting my husband and other kids involved in the process of it all.  I think it will be for my son to see his older brothers cheering him on and it will make it a fun process in the end for all of us.  

To learn more about the #EveryFlush initiative, check out the video below or visit Pull-Ups on Facebook.

 

{Disclosure:  This is part of a compensated
campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and Pull Ups. 
However, all opinions expressed are my own.}