How early can you start showing

When Do Pregnant Women's Baby Bump Start Showing?

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

When Will You Look Pregnant?

You may not start showing in your first trimester because your body is going through changes during this time. Your baby is still forming inside of you. While you may feel different, your body may not look different.

Typically, your bump becomes noticeable during your second trimester. Between 16-20 weeks, your body will start showing your baby’s growth. For some women, their bump may not be noticeable until the end of the second trimester and even into the third trimester.

The second trimester starts in the fourth month. During this month you’ll be able to feel your baby start to move around in little flutters. Your body may start to look different. Others may start to notice differences in your appearance. Pregnancy signs become more prevalent.

Why Do Some Pregnant Women Show Early?

Pregnant women's baby bumps typically start showing in the second trimester. But if this is your second baby, you may show sooner. Your second pregnancy may be very different from your first. In addition to showing earlier, you may feel your baby moving sooner and have a shorter labor.

Your body has already been through pregnancy and childbirth, so it knows what to expect and can adjust accordingly. The reason you could show earlier with your second baby is due to stretched abdominal muscles. You also know what to look for in your next pregnancy, so you might notice your baby bump sooner.

Other women might show early because of their age. Older women and women who have been pregnant before can show as early as the first trimester. Also, women who don’t have strong core muscles may show earlier because their muscles are relaxed. Their stomach adapts more easily to looking pregnant.

Why Do Some Pregnant Women Show Late?

Women who are overweight or obese may not show a solid rounded belly until the third trimester. If you have a higher body weight and are classified as a B belly, this means your bump is not as pronounced. A B belly could take until the third trimester to turn into a D belly.

When to Be Concerned

There may be different reasons as to why your bump hasn’t appeared yet. However, if you are still not showing in your third trimester, you should talk to your doctor. This also goes for any time you have concerns about yourself or your baby. Your doctor will be able to determine what is best for you and your child.

If you are small, this could be the reason your bump hasn’t appeared. Your doctor periodically monitors your baby's gestational weight in your uterus. Your baby’s gestational weight will be taken again once they’re born. Complications for your baby related to low gestational weight can include difficulty regulating body temperature, low blood pressure, low oxygen levels, and breathing problems.

High blood pressure can be a risk for pregnant women. Your baby may be at risk for being small for their gestational age. Being small for their gestational age may keep your belly from becoming noticeable. High blood pressure can also lead to other problems like preterm delivery and infant death. You can get help before, during, and after your pregnancy to treat high blood pressure.

If you are overweight or obese, your belly may not appear rounded or shaped. Being overweight can make your baby’s gestational weight high for their age. Other risks include gestational diabetes mellitus, miscarriage, preeclampsia, and emergency cesarean surgery. You’ll want to talk with your doctor about healthy and safe practices during pregnancy.

When Do You Start to Show? Baby Bump Progression

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You’re expecting — and you couldn’t be more excited. Your symptoms are impossible to ignore — especially the morning sickness — but you may have questions about when your pregnancy status will become obvious to everyone else.

The good news if you’re not quite ready to announce your pregnancy to the world is that it’ll be a while before you start showing — but you might not have as much time as you think. Every body is different, and so is every pregnancy.

Let’s take a closer look at the bump timeline and factors that can contribute to when you’ll notice a growing belly in pregnancy.

It might come as a surprise, but the number of pregnancies you’ve had can affect how early you start showing.

Typically, though, you won’t have a baby bump in your first trimester — especially if it’s your first pregnancy. You’ll likely notice the first signs of a bump early in the second trimester, between weeks 12 and 16.

You might start showing closer to 12 weeks if you are a person of lower weight with a smaller midsection, and closer to 16 weeks if you’re a person with more weight.

If you’ve been pregnant before, don’t be surprised if you start showing earlier. Actually, it’s not uncommon to develop a baby bump in the first trimester after your first pregnancy.

A previous pregnancy can stretch your stomach muscles, and sometimes, these muscles don’t return to their original size. Because of this change, a baby bump might appear earlier.

If you’re expecting twins or higher-order multiples, you could also possibly start to show before the end of your first trimester. Your uterus must grow larger to accommodate more than one baby. So whereas someone expecting a singleton may not show until after 3 or 4 months, you might show as early as 6 weeks.

Whether it’s your first pregnancy or your second pregnancy, you may feel that you’re showing much sooner than other people you know. Maybe you’re putting on weight around 6 to 8 weeks — which in your mind is quite early.

One plausible explanation for an early bump, though, could be abdominal bloating. An increase in hormones can cause your body to retain fluid. So what you believe to be all baby bump may actually be a bloated stomach. Drinking plenty of water, eating more fiber, and eating smaller meals might curb bloating.

Also, the shape of your uterus affects how soon you start showing. If your uterus tilts toward your back, it could take longer to show during those early months of pregnancy. And if your uterus tilts towards the front, you may show much earlier.

Diastasis recti is another possible explanation for showing early. This is when the mid-abdominal muscles separate and create a bulge. This bulge can give the appearance of an early baby bump.

Keep in mind that body weight also determines when a baby bump appears. Someone with a smaller waistline will likely show sooner.

And finally, you may appear to show early if you received an incorrect due date. If you’re concerned that you’re getting too much of a bump too fast, talk with your doctor. You might be further along in your pregnancy than you realize.

Baby bump progression also varies from person to person. As a general timeline, though, your baby will be about the size of a lemon at 12 weeks. Your uterus gets bigger to accommodate, so you’ll start to notice a small bump, although it may not be evident to others.

As you approach week 16, your baby might be as big as an avocado. And by weeks 20 (banana) and 24 (cantaloupe), you’ll likely notice real changes.

Once you enter your third trimester at 28 weeks, your baby will be the size of an eggplant, and the size of a pineapple at week 35. When your due date approaches, your baby can be as big as a watermelon! Keeping in mind that your body is also holding amniotic fluid and extra fat needed to nourish baby, by this point you’ll likely have a very full-looking belly.

Are you ready to show off your baby bump — or do you want to hide it a little longer? Either way, here are a few tips and tricks to adjust to your changing body.

Hiding the bump

You might start showing well before you’re ready to make an announcement. To keep your special news a secret longer, you best bet at this point is to wear loose-fitting clothes, especially dresses, blouses, and shirts that don’t hug your belly.

You can also wear jackets or sweaters when around people. The thickness of the material can help conceal a growing bump.

Dealing with the awkward in-between stage

As your baby bump grows, you may hit an awkward stage. And if you’re at that stage where you don’t fit maternity pants yet, but your regular pants don’t fit either, use a ponytail holder or rubber band at the button and loop closure to give yourself a little more room in your pants.

Here’s what to do: Leave the top button of your pants (or jeans) unhooked. Loop one end of the ponytail holder around the button, and then feed the other end through the hole on the other side of the pants.

After pulling the other end through the hole, loop it around the button too. This way, you can comfortably wear your regular pants for at least a few more weeks. Just wear a long shirt to conceal the fact that you didn’t button your pants.

Another option is to leave your pants unbuttoned and place a belly band around the waistband.

As you get bigger, sleeping and bending over can become uncomfortable, too. When bending over, grab hold of a chair or table to support yourself, and then squat with your knees. This makes it easier to pick up items, and you avoid falling backwards.

If sleeping becomes a problem, try sleeping on your side with a pregnancy pillow. These pillows are soft and curved shape, and can help relieve pain and support a growing bump.

Feeling body positive about a growing bump

As excited as you are, a growing baby bump might also make you feel self-conscious. Here are a few tips to boost your confidence:

Don’t weigh yourself. If you’re self-conscious about your weight, constantly weighing yourself can make you feel worse. Fight the urge to get on the scale. If you’re tempted, get rid of it. Regular weigh-ins at your OB-GYN’s office will inform your doctor all’s on track — and you don’t have to know the number, if you don’t want to!

Don’t neglect maternity fashion. Let’s be honest: We often feel good when we look good. So rather than settle on a maternity style consisting of old baggy jeans and old, worn out T-shirts, treat yourself to some chic, yet affordable maternity clothes. Embrace your baby bump and your inner fashionista.

Get your hair and makeup done. Along with embracing maternity fashion, you might feel better with a little pampering. Treat yourself and your beautiful pregnancy hair (which often becomes thicker during this time) to a professional styling and show off that pregnancy glow!

Believe others when they say you’re beautiful. These aren’t pity compliments. So even if you don’t feel the prettiest, believe those who say otherwise.

Exercise. Working out isn’t only an energy booster and a bloat blaster — it can also release endorphins, which are feel-good hormones. This can improve your mental outlook, increase your confidence, and help you feel better about your changing body. (Not to mention, appropriate exercise is healthy for you and baby during pregnancy.)

Be aware that at some point during your pregnancy, others might touch your belly without an invitation, including strangers.

You might not take issue with family touching your growing baby bump. But to discourage others, hold a large purse or a jacket directly in front of your stomach. With your stomach covered, they might be less inclined to reach for it.

Or if you suspect that someone is about to touch your belly, discreetly step back a few feet, or turn your body away from them. If this doesn’t work, there’s nothing wrong with being honest and saying you’re uncomfortable being touched.

Even though every woman is different, you might have concerns if you’re not showing yet. Understandably, you want to have a healthy baby and pregnancy. But showing a little later doesn’t typically indicate a problem.

Remember, uterus position and shape, frame size, and fitness level prior to pregnancy can all contribute to when you show. And some people just never appear “very” pregnant. If this is you, you may be hearing scary comments from others — comments you shouldn’t have to endure. Trust your OB’s guidance, and not what you see in the mirror, when it comes to the health of your pregnancy.

It’s also possible that you simply have a smaller baby, although still healthy. If you have any concerns, though, speak with your doctor.

Related: Guess what? Pregnant people don’t need you to comment on their size

Going from no baby bump to a large belly can be exciting, but a bit awkward at times. The important thing to remember is that everyone starts to show at different times. Bumps can develop later with a first pregnancy, and earlier with a second pregnancy or if you’re expecting twins.

If you have any concerns about bump progression, see your doctor. And enjoy your changing body — as many parents will tell you, this is a special time that in hindsight, goes by so fast.

For more pregnancy guidance and weekly tips tailored to your due date, sign up for our I’m Expecting newsletter.

When do you start showing? Baby Bump Progress

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You're waiting - and you couldn't be more excited. Your symptoms are impossible to ignore, especially morning sickness, but you may have questions about when your pregnancy status will become apparent to everyone else.

The good news, if you're not quite ready to announce your pregnancy to the world, is that it will take some time before you start showing your pregnancy, but you may not have as much time as you think. Every body is different, just like every pregnancy.

Let's take a closer look at the schedule and factors that can affect when you notice a growing belly during pregnancy.

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When do you start showing your first pregnancy?

This may come as a surprise, but the number of pregnancies you have may affect how early you start showing.

However, you won't usually get a lump in the first trimester, especially if this is your first pregnancy. The first signs of bruising will be noticeable at the beginning of the second trimester, between the 12th and 16th weeks.

You may start showing closer to 12 weeks if you are a lighter weight person and closer to 16 weeks if you are a heavier person.

When do you start showing your second pregnancy?

If you've already been pregnant, don't be surprised if you start showing sooner. In fact, it is not uncommon for bumps to appear in the first trimester after a first pregnancy.

A previous pregnancy can stretch the abdominal muscles and sometimes these muscles do not return to their original size. Because of this change, the tummy may appear earlier.

When will you start showing up with the twins?

If you are expecting twins or fraternal twins, you can start showing them before the end of the first trimester. Your uterus must be larger to accommodate more than one baby. So while the person expecting a single might not show up in 3 or 4 months, you might show up in as little as 6 weeks.

Why do some show earlier?

Whether it's your first pregnancy or your second, you may feel like you're showing a lot before other people know. You can weigh 6 to 8 weeks, which is pretty early for you.

However, one possible explanation for early bloating could be bloating. An increase in hormone levels can lead to fluid retention in the body. So what you think is a baby bump may actually be a swollen belly. Drink plenty of water, eat more fiber, and eating less food can reduce bloating.

Also, the shape of your womb affects how you start to show. If your uterus is tilted towards your back, it may take longer in the early months of pregnancy. And if your uterus is tilted forward, you can show it much sooner.

Diastasis rectus abdominis is another possible explanation for early onset. Then the muscles of the middle of the abdomen diverge and create a bulge. This bump can give the appearance of an early baby.

Keep in mind that body weight also determines when the tummy appears. Someone with a smaller waist will probably show up sooner.

Finally, you can arrive early if you are given the wrong deadline. If you're worried about hitting yourself too hard too soon, talk to your doctor. You may be further into your pregnancy than you think.

Child progression

Child growth progression also varies from person to person. Typically, your baby will be the size of a lemon within 12 weeks. Your uterus is getting bigger to accommodate it, so you'll start to notice tiny bumps, although this may not be noticeable to others.

As you approach week 16, your baby may be the size of an avocado. And by week 20 (banana) and week 24 (St. John's wort), you will most likely notice real changes.

When you enter the third trimester at 28 weeks, your baby will be the size of an eggplant and the size of a pineapple at 35 weeks. As your due date approaches, your baby could be the size of a watermelon! Considering that your body also stores amniotic fluid and extra fat needed to feed babies, you will probably look full by this time.

Tips for presenting your crease

Are you ready to show off your baby stuff or do you want to hide it a little longer? Either way, here are some tips and tricks to help you adjust to your changing body.

Hide bumps

You can start popping up before you're ready to post. To keep special news a secret longer, it's best to wear loose clothing at this stage, especially dresses, blouses, and shirts that don't fit around your belly.

You can also wear jackets or sweaters when there are people around. The thickness of the material can help hide growing irregularities.

Getting through the awkward phase

As your child's stroke wears off, you can get into the awkward phase. And if you're at the stage where maternity pants don't fit yet, but regular pants don't fit either, use a ponytail holder or elastic on button and buckle fastenings to free up a little more room in your pants.

Here's what to do: leave the top button of your trousers (or jeans) unbuttoned. Wrap one end of the ponytail holder around the button and thread the other end through the hole on the other side of the pants.

Pass the other end through the hole and tie it around the button. This way, you can comfortably wear your regular pants for at least a few more weeks. Just wear a long shirt to hide the fact that you haven't buttoned up your pants.

Another option is to leave the pants open and wear a belt around the waist.

As you get bigger, sleeping and bending over can also become uncomfortable. As you bend over, grab onto a chair or table for support, then squat down on your knees. This makes picking up items easier and prevents falling backwards.

If sleeping becomes a problem, try sleeping on your side with a pregnancy pillow. These cushions are soft and curved to help relieve pain and support a growing bump.

I am positive about growing buds

As excited as you are, a growing belly can also make you feel shy. Here are some tips to help boost your confidence:

Don't weigh yourself. If you care about your weight, constantly weighing yourself can make you feel worse. Fight the urge to gain weight. If you are tempted, get rid of it. A regular scale in the OB/GYN's office will let the doctor know everything is going according to plan - and you don't have to know the number if you don't want to!

Don't ignore maternity fashion. Let's be honest: we often feel good when we look good. So instead of settling for old baggy jeans and old worn t-shirts, indulge in stylish yet affordable maternity wear. Embrace your tummy and your inner fashionista.

Hair and makeup. With mom's acceptance of motherhood, you might feel better about pampering yourself a little. Treat yourself and your beautiful pregnancy hair (which often gets thicker) to a professional styling and show off your pregnancy glow!

Believe others when they say you are beautiful. These are not pathetic compliments. So, even if you don't feel prettier, trust those who say otherwise.

Exercise. Exercise is not only an energy and energy booster, but it can also release endorphins, which are feel-good hormones. It can improve your mental outlook, boost your self-confidence, and help you feel better about changing your body. (Not to mention, getting enough exercise is good for you and your baby during pregnancy.)

Be aware that at some point in your pregnancy other people, including strangers, may touch your belly without invitation.

You may not have problems with your family regarding the growing game. But to scare off others, hold a large bag or jacket directly in front of your stomach. If your belly is covered, they may be less likely to reach for it.

Or, if you suspect someone is about to touch your stomach, carefully step back a few feet or turn away from him. If that doesn't work, there's nothing wrong with being honest and saying you don't feel comfortable being touched.

What if you don't show up and feel like you should?

Although every woman is different, you may have problems if you don't already show off. It is understandable that you want to have a healthy baby and pregnancy. But appearing a little later usually does not mean problems.

Be aware that the position and shape of your uterus, body size, and fitness level before pregnancy can all affect how you look. And some just never seem "very" pregnant. If this is you, you may hear frightening comments from others - comments that you should not put up with. Trust your obstetrician's instructions, not what you see in the mirror, when it comes to the health of your pregnancy.

It is also possible that you just have a small child, although he is still healthy. If you have any concerns, talk to your doctor.

Related: Guess what? Pregnant women don't need you to comment on their size

Excursion

The transition from baby to big belly can be exciting, but sometimes a little awkward. It is important to remember that they all begin to appear at different times. The growths may develop later in the first pregnancy and earlier in the second pregnancy or if you are expecting twins.

If you have any concerns about the progression of the bumps, see your doctor. And enjoy your changing body - as many parents will tell you, this is a special time that, looking back, goes by so quickly.

Potty training

When to start

The normal development of young children is largely determined by proper care for them. The process of potty training is an important stage in the development and maturation of the child, as well as in the formation of his relationship with his parents. Many parents tend to become overly anxious when their child does not develop according to their expectations.

The methods of “early potty training” practiced until recently (during the first year of life) should be considered outdated and non-physiological, since their use does not take into account the degree of maturity of the muscles and nervous system of the child (in particular, the innervation of the bladder and intestines). As a result, learning becomes a long and unproductive process. In addition, when using them, children may experience negative reactions (since education is built on pressure from parents) and somato-neurological dysfunctions, which subsequently is fraught with problems such as constipation, urinary / fecal incontinence, numerous neurotic reactions (including logoneurosis, tics, etc.). .), and upon reaching a certain age - enuresis, overactive bladder and persistent encopresis. Forced potty training at any age can be stressful for both the child and the parent. The described stress becomes even more pronounced if the child is not able to understand or interpret the command received. Attempts to impose on a child such methods based on adult dominance inevitably lead to a delay in the learning process and low efficiency.

The described methods of early potty training are reflex, that is, based on the development of a conditioned reflex, and not a conscious skill. In the process of training, parents determine the signals and "body language" of the child before urination or defecation, similar to how pets are toilet trained. Such techniques are not based on real learning, but on the development of a reflex, and therefore are ineffective. The success of the process depends on whether the adult can recognize the need or desire of the child to go to the toilet (there are no basic elements of learning, and the process is not associative). The "skill" acquired by the child is of a non-permanent nature and can be lost in any stressful situation (for example, illness or moving from an apartment, a quarrel between parents) or other adverse circumstances. Therefore, attempts to force a child to potty train before he reaches physical readiness and / or increased intensity of training in no way accelerate or bring the desired result closer. Successful potty training is the development of a cognitive (conscious) skill or ability that should be centered around the child; it should be positive and entertaining. It is important to remember that an acquired reflex is easily lost if it is not a learned pattern of behavior.

To make the process of potty training quick and easy, parents should be informed about the “child-friendly” method.

The “child-centered” or physiological toilet training method is a method that takes into account the degree of maturity of the central nervous system. It is the central nervous system that provides innervation to the muscles, organs of the genitourinary system and the gastrointestinal tract of children. This approach helps parents to understand the child correctly and direct the process of potty training in accordance with the level of development of the child. According to this method, the child becomes the main figure, his self-confidence and self-esteem increase. Training, according to this technique, is designed not only to develop a reflex in a child, but to accelerate the assimilation of relevant information or skills, in the case of potty training, the child's acquaintance with his own body. The physiological model takes into account three main components of child development: physiological maturity (strengthening the muscles of the sphincter of the bladder and intestines, the necessary development of the central nervous system), psychological and emotional readiness (understanding and desire to follow instructions). According to the literature, a healthy child reaches the required physiological maturity at an average age of 18 to 24 months (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2003).

How a baby's body works

When potty training a child, you should know that the success of training depends entirely on how ready his body is for it. It has been proven that the child's body is ready for potty training on average no earlier than 18 months. A child can consciously go to the toilet only when he develops a connection between the nervous system and muscles. This connection is finally formed around the age of 18 months and consists of numerous neural structures that connect the spinal cord with the bladder and intestines. When the bladder or intestines are full, a signal is transmitted along the nerves to the spinal cord, from there to the brain, and the baby understands that he wants to pee or poop. Only then can the child consciously sit on the potty and do their thing. Knowing this, one can come to very significant conclusions, which, however, are quite obvious. The sooner you start the process of potty training, the more effort it will require from you. Potty training is more successful, painless and easier, the higher the level of physiological development of the child. And if you start training when the child's body is fully prepared for it, you and your child will succeed much faster and easier.

Early successes

True, many patient and active parents manage to achieve excellent results already in the first year of life. Quite often, proud statements are made that a child at 10, 9, 8, even at 7 months old, pees on the “pee-pee” command, and poops only after “ah”. And there is absolutely nothing surprising in this. It is not difficult to achieve the appearance of a conditioned reflex by repeated beeping and aakan, only this reflex is not quite what we need. Why? Yes, because this is the connection between the process of emptying the bladder and the sound "wee-wee." And if this sound is pronounced often and for a long time, and if anyway you are not left alone until you pee, then this connection will be established sooner or later. But the chain should be different: not “wee-wee” - filling the bladder - urination, but filling the bladder - a pot - urination. That is, the physiological process (filling the bubble), and not the sound stimulus (“pee-pee”), should become the motive for the potty.

Potty training around 18 months of age	Potty training at an earlier age
The child consciously controls all processes	Process based entirely on reflexes
Acquired skills are not lost	With any changes in a child's life, he quickly forgets everything he has learned
Teaching is faster and easier	Teaching is longer and harder for the child
The child enjoys his successes and the process itself	Frequent misses, more stress for the child

Payback for early success comes in the second year of life. A supposedly capable and developed child, who has been sitting on the potty since the age of 9 months, suddenly, for some “incomprehensible” reasons, stops doing this, and actively fights for his freedom with anxious relatives. And the considerations are very understandable - the time is coming for the formation of that very normal, natural control over secretions, which we have already talked about. The bladder is empty, and they are here climbing with their "wee-wee" ... No matter how "amazing success" you have achieved, but before the child is ready for potty training (and this is approximately 18 months), these successes will be temporary, and misses are frequent. And this must be treated very philosophically. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the fact that you will be able to introduce your child to such an interesting thing as a potty. But this acquaintance, at least from the point of view of medical science, will be superficial, and the skills developed are not stable.

How to know if a child is ready

In order for the process to go as smoothly as possible, you should know some signs that indicate the mental and physiological readiness of the child's body to learn toilet science.

These signs include:

establishment of a more or less stable defecation pattern
ability to keep diapers dry for more than 2 hours
knowledge of body parts and names of garments
knowledge or understanding of the words "pee" and "poop"
demonstration of negative emotions from being in soiled diapers
desire to dress and undress independently
desire to imitate adults
interest in the toilet room and the processes taking place there

And, finally, the most reliable sign: the ability to convey the word “I want” to parents in any way — with a word, facial expressions, gestures. And not because it will be easier for mom and she will have time to put the child on the pot - this indicates that the baby has learned to communicate!

10 Rules for Successful Potty Training

Is your baby about 18 months old? Did you notice any of the above signs of readiness in his behavior? So, you can start mastering a new complex science. Let's get started.

1. In addition to the readiness of the child, there must also be the readiness of adults. Obviously, at the stage of transition from a diaper to a potty, the time spent on direct communication with the baby increases markedly. It is impossible to develop toilet skills only on Sundays or only on those days when an official visit from the grandmother is expected.

2. A child, like any adult, is prone to mood swings. Early toilet training is best done when all family members are healthy and cheerful.

3. Buy a comfortable and ... warm pot - a cold seat can ruin your relationship with the potty for a long time. The seat should repeat the anatomical curves, it is desirable to have a comfortable back (such pots are called physiological). First of all, wash the pot and put it in the room with the crumbs so that it becomes a familiar item for him.

4. Getting to know the potty. We offer it to the child when the probability of a "process" is maximum - after sleep, after eating, when he

shows by his behavior that it is time for him.

5. In case of success - very, very praise. In case of failure, we do our best not to be upset, and if we are upset, we do not show grief.

6. We fix attention not only on the potty itself, but also on the actions immediately preceding communication with the potty and parting with it: how to get the potty, how to open it, how to take off the panties, how to put on the panties, how and where to pour the contents from the pot how to wash the pot, how to close the pot and put it back in its place. The implementation of all of the above easily turns into an interesting game. It is wonderful if, after each successful action, parents do not skimp on praise - the whole process in this case is accompanied by positive emotions, and this is perhaps the main thing at the transitional stage.

7. Gradually we organize meetings with the potty not only when it is time for the child, but when the daily routine requires it. For example, without fail we sit down before going to bed, before a walk.

8. You shouldn't part with diapers completely and irrevocably. They are quite useful for traveling in transport, at night, for a walk in the cool season, at first and during daytime sleep. But every time when we woke up dry and quickly sat down on the potty, we pay attention to what good fellows we are, and in confirmation of this obvious fact, we demonstrate a dry diaper.

9. It is important that the pot is not perceived as a toy, but as an object of a very specific purpose. And in this regard, you should not encourage just playing with the potty. “This is a chair. They sit on it" - and, by analogy, - "This is a pot, they pee and poop on it."

10. It doesn't matter: a potty or a toilet (assuming a special child seat). Here's how you feel more comfortable. Considering that, especially at first, the process can be delayed, the potty is more convenient, since it is more pleasant to communicate in a room than in a cramped toilet space. Combining a potty with a toilet is a perfectly acceptable option, especially for boys. A special stool in the toilet, and peeing from it is just a pleasure and a conscious introduction to the world of adults. And if dad finds time to show how it's done...

“Baby refuses potty. How to be?

“We are already one year old. Our Anyuta can sit on the potty for a very long time, play, look at books, but she does not do what is necessary. How can we be? Maria

Don't worry about it. Your daughter is still too young to be potty trained. It is possible to start accustoming a child only when his body is physiologically ready for this - that is, approximately at the age of 18 months. Only by this age does his nervous system form and he begins to realize that he wants to go to the toilet. And now, when your daughter is 1 year old and she is starting to walk, it is very important to help her develop balance and strengthen her back muscles - exercises on a gymnastic ball would be very suitable for this (swaying a baby lying down). 0003

back or belly on a ball) or stepping over obstacles (over toys on the floor).

“We started potty training our baby about 3 weeks ago, he seemed to understand everything right away and did everything right, and then he began to refuse, and now he doesn’t even want to come close to him. We are 1.5 years old. Irina

This often happens, and there is nothing to worry about. Try to remember, after which the child began to refuse the potty. Maybe something scared him, or the pot was cold. Pay attention to the situation in the family, think about what has changed in the life of the baby and is he experiencing stress? And if you understand the reason, try to eliminate it. Never force him to sit on the potty. It is best to suspend the learning process for a few weeks and surround the child with attention and affection. Usually, after such a respite, children are ready to reacquaint themselves with the potty.

“Our Katyusha, at 1 year and 7 months old, does not use the potty. But she is very interested in everything that happens in the bathroom. When one of us goes there, every time she tries to break in and see what we are doing there. Is this normal? Daria

Don't worry! This is absolutely normal, moreover, this interest of your daughter indicates her readiness for potty training. If she is now ignoring the learning process, take a close look at my rules for successful potty training and make sure

You are doing everything right. And if a mistake was made somewhere and the pot now causes negative emotions in the child, stop and start learning again. Take advantage of her curiosity about adult behavior. It is known that kids are very fond of imitating adults. Buy your daughter a baby toilet seat and show her how to use the toilet. After that, most likely she herself will want to act like an adult and do the same.

6 most common misconceptions

1. “It seems to me that the sooner I start teaching the baby to use the potty, the sooner he will learn to do it. Is it so?"

You, like all parents, want only the best for your child and try to develop all his abilities as early as possible. But in such a matter as potty training, you should not rush. The earlier you start, the longer and more difficult this process will be for the child. After all, he will be able to control his bladder and intestines only when his body is sufficiently developed - an average of 18 months. And if you start learning at the right age, then the child will learn much faster and easier and will be able to be proud of his achievement. And you will be proud of it!

2. “Is it true that if a baby wears disposable diapers all the time, in which he does not feel that he is wet, then it is more difficult to teach him to use the potty?”

No matter what diapers your baby wears, or if he wears them at all, he will learn to use the potty when his body is ready. In support of this, there are the results of studies that compared the behavior of two groups of children - in the first group, babies wore traditional gauze diapers from birth, and in the second - disposable diapers. In both groups, the age at which the babies stopped completely needing diapers was exactly the same - an average of 27 months (E. Takanashi, 1988, Japan). Therefore, it is safe to say that the use of disposable dry surface diapers does not affect the ability of babies to learn to use the potty and the age when they can do it.

3. "I'm afraid to put diapers on my 3-month-old son, because I heard that they can lead to infertility due to the greenhouse effect"

Firstly, the reproductive system in boys begins to develop only at the age of 7-9 years. At the age of 7, spermatozoa precursor cells appear, and the spermatozoa themselves can be detected not earlier than at 10 years old, but as a rule, much later. From this it is clear that diapers cannot affect the quality of sperm in any way - boys at this age do not have it in principle. There are also a number of studies that confirm that disposable diapers do not create a greenhouse effect - the temperature under the diaper is practically the same as the skin temperature in ordinary diapers, and the humidity level under the diaper is much lower than when using diapers. Therefore, to sum up: disposable diapers and boys are compatible.

4. “My daughter is 1 year old. I know it’s too early to potty train her, but I’m very worried that we won’t have time to learn before kindergarten.”

No matter what age you start potty training your child, there is no guarantee that she will learn to do it before kindergarten. After all, all children are potty trained at about the same time. Therefore, if you start teaching at an early age, this will not help speed up the process, but on the contrary, the training will be delayed - the child will not understand what they want from him, she will be upset because of this, and you too. And if you start when the child's body is ready for this, then you and your baby will achieve success much faster and easier, and the child will already understand that this is his achievement and will be proud of it.

5. “Many of my friends in the yard say that their babies go to the potty at the age of 9, 8, and even at 6 months. My daughter is 1 year old, I tried to teach her, but nothing comes of it. Maybe I'm doing something wrong? Why can't my child learn as quickly as other children?

Tatyana, I understand that you, like all other parents, compare your child with other people's children and try to prove that yours is no worse. I want to reassure you - at such an early age, children are simply physically unable to consciously go to the potty. Their nervous system is not yet sufficiently developed to give signals about a full bladder or intestines. Until the age of 1.5, they go to the toilet without realizing it or noticing it. And you can not influence it in any way and accelerate the development of the child.

Your friends are most likely silent about the fact that their babies sit on the potty and listen to endless “pee-pee” and “ah-ah” for 30-40 minutes, and by this time the child’s even an empty bladder is full, and they pissing in a pot. And this leads to the development of a conditioned reflex to the mother's requests to pee or poop. But in the second year of life, this reflex suddenly disappears for the parents. And only then the child begins to consciously learn to go to the potty.

So remember, everything, especially potty stuff, has its time.

6. “My mother thinks that diapers are better for our baby's health than diapers. Is it true?"

Such prejudices of the older generation towards diapers are due to the fact that earlier these hygiene products were simply not available. And today, grandmothers, who are often suspicious of everything new, find it difficult to appreciate the merits of diapers. Although, if we compare diapers with diapers, then the advantages of the first are obvious - the wet surface of the diapers causes irritation and skin diseases, and in cold weather, the duration of the baby's walks in diapers is significantly reduced. The Union of Pediatricians of Russia conducted clinical studies, and the results showed that the moisture content of the baby's skin in diapers is much lower than in diapers.