Potty training problems and solutions: An evidence-based guide
An evidence-based guide to common potty training problems, including child anxieties, resistance, refusals to defecate, accidents, and more.
Toilet training
The science of toilet training: What research tells us about timing
What scientific studies reveal about the timing of toilet training. Safe, early training may lower the risk of bladder and bowel dysfunction.
Signs of toilet training readiness: When to start, and when to wait
When children show signs of toilet training readiness, they may learn toileting skills more easily or quickly. But not all signs are equally helpful — or even relevant — to your family’s needs. Before you begin training, it’s important to decide on your individualized goals for potty training, and then look for signs that your Read More »
Bedwetting in scientific perspective: Debunking destructive myths
© 2010 – 2021 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved Myths about bedwetting? There are several, and they aren’t helpful. Ever heard the claim that kids wet the bed out of laziness? Or that kids require counseling — talking therapy — in order to break the “habit?” Or how about the idea that wetting the Read More »
What’s the right age to start potty training? It depends on your goals
© 2021 Gwen Dewar, all rights reserved In Western countries like the United States, many children begin toilet training sometime between 24 and 36 months. But from an historical and cross-cultural standpoint, this timing is very late, and it comes with a downside. So what’s the right potty training age? It depends on your child, Read More »
Infant toilet training: The scientific evidence
The science of infant toilet training. Potty training techniques, baby bladders, and the potential benefits of early toilet training.
“Fast-track” toilet training techniques: An evidence-based review
“Fast track” toilet training techniques can be effective, but they aren’t right for everyone. Children shouldn’t begin unless they are healthy, motivated, and developmentally ready. And caregivers must be prepared to coach their children through hours of intensive, focused training.
Bed-wetting (nocturnal enuresis) in children: An evidence-based guide
Is bed-wetting — also known as “sleep enuresis” — a sign of illness? Does it indicate a child is lazy or defiant? Trying to get attention? Suffering from behavior problems? The answer — in most cases — is no. Kids who wet the bed aren’t lazy. Stress can contribute to enuresis, but most children who Read More »
Infant potty training: An alternative to “elimination communication” for babies who can sit up by themselves
Looking for an alternative method of infant potty training? This method, tested by researchers, is safe for babies who can sit up unassisted.
The diaper alarm: An effective tool for toilet training?
© 2017 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved The musical diaper alarm Considering all the claims and hype, there haven’t been many good experimental tests of potty training techniques. But Alexandra Vermandel and her colleagues are trying to change that. They’ve wondered if they could speed up potty training by using a diaper alarm–a device Read More »
Potty training techniques: An evidence-based guide to training methods and their success rates
Evidence-based potty training techniques. Review the most popular methods and what research reveals about their effectiveness.
Potty training tips: An evidence-based guide for the thinking parent
Evidence-based potty training tips? There haven’t been many experimental studies of toilet training, but helpful research exists. Here you will find a collection of evidence-based articles, including: What research reveals about the timing of training Signs of toilet training readiness: Should you wait? How to prepare reluctant kids for toilet training The anthropology and biology Read More »