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Top 12 Books for Potty-Learning Success!

9/22/2019

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Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on the links below and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for your support. 

Thinking about potty-training? Curious about EC? Not sure how to start or whether your child is ready, or whether you have the time? Ahhhhhh!!!! So much to consider. Right? Well, worry no more, Wee Potty is here for you. And today I would like to share some of the best books that can help you on your journey. Some educational, some instructive, plus some of the best board books to get your child in the mood for “potty time”. 
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Elimination Communication Books

Go Diaper Free: a simple handbook for elimination communication by Andrea Olson
Go Diaper Free: A Simple Handbook for Elimination Communication by Andrea Olson. More instructive than the others, this book tells you clearly how to start practicing EC and how to complete it too! Go Diaper Free is a book package encompassing a paperback, digital download, audiobook, and access to a ton of on-line support from helpful downloads to an EC video library. (p.s. you can use coupon code PottyTime15 to get 15% off digital purchases from www.godiaperfree.com)
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The Diaper Free Baby
The Diaper-Free Baby: The Natural Toilet Training Alternative by Christine Gross-Loh. My first EC book! This book is widely available at libraries, and includes a compilation of many parents' experiences with EC. This book taught me how naturally EC can fit into an infants daily care.

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Infant Potty Training: A Gentle and Primeval Method Adapted to Modern Living by Laurie Boucke. This book takes a cross-cultural look at EC or "infant toilet training" practices used around the world. Sooooooo interesting! ​

This book is an oldie but a goodie, I picked it up at a garage sale once upon a time, and refer to it often.

Potty Training Books

The Tiny Potty Training Book by Andrea Olson
The Tiny Potty Training Book: A Simple Guide for Non-Coercive Potty Training by Andrea Olson. If you like the sound of EC, but your child is closer to 18-months-old, don't worry! You can still apply similar principles with this book on non-coercive potty training. This book package includes a paperback, digital book, audiobook, and a video library coming later this year.  (p.s. you can use coupon code PottyTime15 to get 15% off digital purchases from www.godiaperfree.com). My classes and training are based on this book.
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Oh Crap! Potty Training by Jamie Glowacki. A good, no-nonsense guide to potty-training. I like the authors forthright attitude, but it might not be for everyone. 
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Lose the Diapers!
Lose the Diapers! - The No Fuss Early Potty Training Alternative by Maria Kachmar. This book lays out the method of potty training that grandma, or maybe great-grandma used to do. Ideally starting before your child is a year old. This book will dispel common potty training myths and provides well researched evidence that starting earlier really is better!

*This books is available locally from Wee Potty in Edmonton, or online at Amazon

Kids Books

Tiny Potty board book by Andrea Olson
Tiny Potty by Andrea Olson. This age-neutral and gender-neutral book teaches all the steps of potty use and normalizes pottying as a regular part of the day. This book is excellent for children ages 6 months to 3 years. (p.s. you can use coupon code PottyTime15 to get 15% off digital purchases from www.godiaperfree.com)
Night Potty by Andrea Olson
Night Potty by Andrea Olson. This books is the second in the Tiny Potty series. In it, the child learns how to use the potty or get help to pee in the night. Like the original, it had adorable illustrations with catchy, rhyming text. ​(p.s. you can use coupon code PottyTime15 to get 15% off digital purchases from www.godiaperfree.com)
Potty by Leslie Patricelli
Potty by Leslie Patricelli. This book presents the potty as an alternative to diapers. It is great for kids with pets since it compares using the potty to where cats and dogs "go".

Toot by Leslie Patricelli
Toot by Leslie Patricelli. Not completely potty-specific, but an adorable, laugh-out-loud book about a noisy bodily function.



Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi
Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi and Amanda Mayer Stinchecum. This book introduces poop as the most natural and normal process in every animal, with cute and funny illustrations that kids love. Some kids get hung-up on poop, so why not get them laughing about it?
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I Want My Potty
I Want my Potty by Tony Ross. Little Princess learns to use the potty, in a catchy story that will have you and your toddler laughing-out-loud. Humour is a great way to reduce the stress of potty training, this book is a keeper!
Do you have any favourite potty training books at home? Let me know in the comments. 
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1 Comment

The Lowdown On Training Pants

9/17/2019

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Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on the links below and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for your support. ​

I get asked "What's the deal with training pants?" at every class I teach. Today I'm going to tell you exactly what the deal is, and why you might want to get a few pairs (yep... its time to learn from one of my personal potty training faux pas!). One thing I want to make clear is that Pull-Ups are NOT training pants. They are advertised as such, but they are really just diapers that go on like underwear. They are not recommended for potty training, unless perhaps you are still using diapers at night, then by all means...

So, what exactly ARE training pants. When my daughter was potty training, I could not figure their purpose out for the life of me. I had read that going commando (a.k.a. pants with no underwear or training pants) was the clearest and best signal to a child that they are not wearing diapers, helping them to stay dry and let you know when they need to go! So that's what I did, and it worked extremely well for us until one day...
So, what is the deal with training pants anyway? Do you need them? Are they actual pants? How long should they be used for? When should you use them and when should you not? Do Pull-Ups count? The questions about this simple children's clothing item abound. This post is dedicated to the humble #trainingpants, answering all your burning questions (or likely questions you didn't know you had until right now). #pottytraining #toilettraining #ec #eliminationcommunication #pottylearning #toddler
What's the deal with training pants? Find out here!
We were on Step 3 (Phase 1) of potty training "The Tiny Potty Training Book" way, so it was time to venture out into public for some longer diaper-free outings. I decided that it would be fun to go to one of the library's daytime kids programs that day, and I had it all figured-out... My daughter could pee right before we left the house, we would take a short drive to the library, the program is about 25 mins long, another pee right afterwards and then we drive back home. A foolproof plan, I thought! To make a long story short, she would not pee before leaving the house, nor upon arrival at the library. So we went to the program regardless, and let me remind you... she is not wearing any training pants. Just a pair of jeans. JEANS!! (Somebody should have told me to use absorbent outer pants, at least). She was having a blast at the program, the most fun she had ever had at one... and I didn't want to break it up for a potty-break. I was sweating, I was watching the clock... every time she came near me I would ask "do you need to use the potty?" A MAJOR mistake I now know, because of course she just looked at me like I had 2 heads and kept playing.

Finally the program was over. We had made it! Until I started putting her boots back on and "WHOOSH" the worlds biggest pee came flooding out of her pant legs, into her boots and all over the floor. The *ahem* carpeted library floor. I did my best to clean it up with the cloth pre-folds I was still carrying me, and had to call over the library staff to let them know, and all the other parents were still their getting their kids into their winter gear. Embarrassing!!! Obviously there were a lot of things I could have done differently, but barring the alternatives, if she had at least been wearing training pants I could have avoided a big puddle on the floor!

There are two main types of cloth training pants available:
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The thinner, padded underwear type. These are great for everyday wear if your child is doing well in trainers/undies (as opposed to going commando). An accident in this type will result in wet pants for sure, but they will absorb a lot of the wetness, reducing the chance of a puddle. And the pants being wet is a good thing! Your child will receive appropriate feedback and discomfort, and you will be able to tell immediately if your child has wet his or her trainers.

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Tiny Trainers by Tiny Undies
Cost: $33/3 pack*

Details:  100% cotton shell with two layer 100% cotton core, all natural, sweatshop-free and only eco-friendly dyes used. The absorbent core consists of two layers of naturally bleached needle-punched cotton that will not bunch or shift over time. Available in sizes 6 months to 3T direct from Tiny Undies (sizing chart available on website). *Get $5USD off your order at Tiny Undies with coupon code WEEPOTTY5

A limited selection of colours and sizes is available locally in Edmonton, AB from Wee Potty.
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ZOOCCHINI ORGANIC TRAINING PANTS, OCEAN FRIENDS GIRLS 2T/3T
​Zoocchini Training Pants
Cost: $34.95/3 pack

Details: These organic children's training pants come in a variety of colours and patterns. In sizes 2T/3T (approx. 26 - 33 lbs.) and 3T/4T (approx. 30-37 lbs.). These Training Pants have a layer of double sided terry sandwiched between the layers of cotton for extra absorbency in case an accident occurs. 
As the waterproofing does not go all the way up the front, use with caution for boys (and make sure to aim down :) ) 


Bambino Mio Training Pants
Bambino Mio Training Pants
Cost: $39.99/3 pack, 5 pack also available

Details: Made from a super-soft cotton blend fabric, these training pants have a concealed water resistant layer and inner pad is designed for little accidents. Easy-care as these are machine washable and can be tumble dried. Plus super-cute prints! Sizes range from 18-24 months and up.
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Komfi Baby Undies + Pads
Cost: $26.99/3 pack* plus pads if wanted

Details: Komfi Baby Undies are designed in Canada and ethically made in South Korea. 100% cotton underwear and soaker pads that can be used together at the start of potty training, and later the underwear can be used alone once your little one gets the hang of things. Available in sizes 6M to 2T/3T with detailed sizing info. on their website. *Get 10% off your first order automatically by using my link!
 The thicker waterproof type. This type of training pant has more absorbency and has a PUL layer sewn in. They are designed to hold one (small) pee. The advantage of this type is, of course, less mess! But it is likely that pants get a bit wet. You would probably not want to use this type on a daily basis if possible, as they are more diaper-like. These are best used for specific situations where you would not want a big mess, like church or a long car ride, or situations where you will not be paying a lot of attention to your child, like a big family party. This type is typically made by cloth diaper companies and can be found at online retailers or any local stores that carry cloth diapers. 
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Kanga Care Lil Learnerz Training Pants
Kanga Care Lil Learnerz
Cost: $34/2-pack

​Details: TPU waterproof outside and inner quilted microfleece designed to hold a heavy accident. Snaps on the sides for sizes xs and s which can be a big bonus in case of a poop accident! Wide waist bands for added comfort. Available in xs (12m) to xl (4yrs+)
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Applecheeks Learning Pants St-Lucia - Size 5/6 - Fits approximately 30-45+lbs
Applecheeks Learning Pants
Cost: $22.49

Details: Made from a poly-cotton blend and lined with PUL only in the coloured area, giving them a thinner overall appearance. Two layers of super absorbent micro-terry in the wet zone provide light protection and these pants come with a separate insert to boost absorbency. Available in 3 sizes, S - size 2/3 (18-25 lb), M - size 4/5 (25-35 lb), L - size 5/6 (30-45lb+).
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Tiny Ups by Tiny Undies
​Cost: $21.00 

Details: Tiny Ups are waterproof covers without absorbency that you can use alone or over thin cotton underwear or training pants. They are AMAZING because you only need a couple and they will provide the peace of mind you need when you are first venturing out in public without diapers, or for a little added protection in certain situations like nap-time at daycare or a trip in an airplane. Perfect for EC and toddlers on the younger/smaller side. Available in 3 sizes: S (10-16 lbs), M (16-23lbs) or L (23-29lbs). *Get $5USD off your order at Tiny Undies with coupon code WEEPOTTY5

A limited selection is available locally in Edmonton, AB from Wee Potty.
You should start using training pants once your child has already been working on potty training for a few days or you can continue having your child commando in pants for a couple of weeks if that is working well for you. Following the Tiny Potty Training Book approach, you would start trying underwear or training pants at home in Step 3 (approx. day 3-10 of potty training, depending). Using underwear-like products too early in the potty training process can cause confusion as your child may mistake the sensation of training pants/underwear for a diaper and accidentally begin having more regular accidents at first.
So, what is the deal with training pants anyway? Do you need them? Are they actual pants? How long should they be used for? When should you use them and when should you not? Do Pull-Ups count? The questions about this simple children's clothing item abound. This post is dedicated to the humble #trainingpants, answering all your burning questions (or likely questions you didn't know you had until right now). #pottytraining #toilettraining #ec #eliminationcommunication #pottylearning #toddler
How long you should continue using training pants is up to you, but in general, if your child begins to depend on them to soak up a bit of pee, you will want to discontinue using them right away. The other consideration is the age of your child. Often when doing Elimination Communication, parents choose to use training pants rather than diapers some-or-all of the time with their baby. In this case, you might use training pants for a year or more. However, if starting potty training after about 18 months, you will likely want to use them anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months, except possibly in unique situations where you really need that added protection. Otherwise, thin cotton underwear will be your best choice for avoiding regular accidents.

Do you have a favourite cloth training pant you want to share? Let me know in the comments!​
So, what is the deal with training pants anyway? Do you need them? Are they actual pants? How long should they be used for? When should you use them and when should you not? Do Pull-Ups count? The questions about this simple children's clothing item abound. This post is dedicated to the humble #trainingpants, answering all your burning questions (or likely questions you didn't know you had until right now). #pottytraining #toilettraining #ec #eliminationcommunication #pottylearning #toddler
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    Hi! I'm Danielle, your friendly neighbourhood potty specialist.

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