New parents in the world are constantly wondering: When can I begin potty training? (Some don’t even realize that, with the right information, they can even begin potty training their baby).

Believe it or not, there are options for the first year of life (yes! you heard me right!), as well as the 11-18 month range, and 18 months and beyond.

So which potty training age is truly most beneficial to your child’s health?

There is a lot of crap out there on the internet about potty training, pun absolutely intended. It can boggle the mind. And there are a lot of marketing-fueled lies circulating (with the primary aim of selling more diapers). So. Because the current society is so convinced of certain mistruths, we need to push those aside right now. Before we dive into which potty training method works best for each age range (super-detailed info below), let’s first get something crystal- clear: Early potty training will NOT damage your child in any way.

There is no scientific study that actually proves that early potty training will harm your child (contrary to Dr. Hodges’ marketing influence, which is based on a study that doesn’t say early potty training will damage them, but that incomplete emptying of the bladder will).

And late potty training (starting at 2 years old and up) CAN potentially damage your child, in many ways. (This article compares and cites all the science that proves this, inarguably.)

The point:

• If your child is already over 18 months old, get educated and begin potty training this week.

• If your child is less than 18 months old, it can only benefit your child to begin today, in some way, big or small.

The science supports it. Again, I will break the ages down further, below, so keep on reading. And the most healthy time to begin? Early, early, early. As early as birth. (As early as wherever YOU are when you read this post.)

Establishing healthy potty use and attitudes from an early age is beneficial to your child, on so many levels. Parents: You get to choose, from birth, whether to train your baby into using the diaper as a full-time toilet, or using the toilet as a full-time toilet.

Full permission granted to choose what works for you (and a little bit of research might be necessary so you can feel confident executing this decision!).

Okay, now that this myth is completely disproven, we can confidently move in to answer the question: “At what age can I potty train my child?”

The top method for starting potty training at 0-12 months

The method you would use for starting potty learning with babies 0-12 months is called “elimination communication.” It is a way of tending to your child’s natural instincts for cleanliness by learning and responding to the signals, rhythms, and preferences of your baby.

It is not hard to do, and you can do it part-time! And the earlier you start, the sooner you integrate this into your life and it becomes your “normal”…no potty training usually necessary. Learn more about elimination communication (EC) on my EC 101 page here.

The best method for starting potty training at 11-16 months

To start potty training with 11-16 month (likely walking) babies, which is actually considered by Montessori school of thought to be the “sensitive period” (the best time!) to begin toilet learning, you would use either pure EC or a hybrid of EC/potty training.

This is a time period where you can both begin and wrap up toilet learning all within one developmental stage! Learn more about why starting at 12-18 months is great with this post and video here.

The top method for starting potty training at 15-20 months

To start toilet training a 15-20 month toddler, you’ve already mostly passed the EC window (although you can give it a whirl if you’ve got a super laid-back, not-yet-walking baby!)…and you’re now sitting at what’s called early start potty training. But, don’t you dare feel bad! You will now spend less time potty training/doing EC and more time teaching the final pieces of independence. Like ripping off a Band-aid, potty training at 18-24 months is a much more rapid process than EC (and it should be! Toddlers crave mastery at this stage, and being lax or hands-off about toilet training at any toddler age is a disservice to your wonderful toddler!!). Learn about early potty training on my Potty Training 101 page here.

The best method for starting potty training at 20 months and up

For this, you’d also do the same as the previous age range, but it’s not going to be called early potty training…just your regular ole run-of-the-mill potty training (but pls don’t use a boot camp or gradual plan!). Again, do not feel badly! The earlier you begin, the sooner you’ll be done, and you do not have to wait for readiness signs or fear that you’ll harm your child by doing the training too early. That is all BS funded by the diaper companies.

Some quick reassuring facts (for those of you who are skimming)

Which is the best time to potty train your child? Whatever age your child currently is. That is the best time to start the learning…now!

What is the current average age of potty training completion in the US? 36-38 months average.

What is the current age of toileting independence in the rest of the world? 12 months average.

What was the toilet training age in 1957 in the US? 92% of children were toilet trained by 18 months of age.

What would happen if we reduced the toilet training age by 1 year (from 3 to 2 years old)? The diaper companies would lose approximately $8 billion/year in revenues.

Remember: You can begin potty training at any age, starting as early as birth. It just looks a little different at each stage. And, no shame mama/daddy! You are where you are right now, given what you’ve learned so far. Now you know some more stuff about what age is best to begin potty training, get started today. We’re rooting for you!

 

Andrea Olson is an author and expert in potty training by Elimination Communication (EC). She's worked with thousands of parents worldwide to make the practice of pottying their babies efficient and enjoyable! She holds a Masters Degree in Psychology and lives in Asheville with her husband and 5 children (all EC'd from birth).

Are you looking for a fun workout to do from your home while your gym is closed due to coronavirus concerns? Stay active with the classes you know and love from the YMCA. YMCA 360 is compatible with all devices from mobile to laptops, iOS or Android. 

Barre

This new online community includes group exercise classes like Boot Camp, Barre, Yoga and low impact programs for seniors. The Y plans to release more exercise classes for adults as well as youth activities and classes throughout March and April. Most importantly, it’s free for everyone regardless if you have a Y membership.

“For more than 175 years, the Y has continuously evolved to meet the changing needs of communities,” said Kevin Washington, President and CEO of YMCA of the USA. “COVID-19 has presented our country with unprecedented challenges, and YMCA 360 is one way we are responding to help people of all ages stay active and engaged.”

Visit YMCA 360 to learn more about classes and enjoy 24/7 access to on-demand programs.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Erin French

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If the winter weather has your little speed demons missing their sidewalk capers, fear not! Whether your kiddo likes to roller skate or prefers their scooter, we’ve rounded up the best rinks in the DMV that offer perks like toddler-friendly times with ride-on toys, family-fun hours and special pricing. Read on to find out where to get your skate (or scoot, or wheel) on.

photo: Caroline Hernandez via Unsplash 

BYO Ride-On Toys

Kiddos under age 5 aren’t always ready for skates, so check out these options for bringing their favorite ride-on toys (trikes, push-pedal cars, etc.) that let them get in on the action.

Cavalier Family Skating
Bring the tots and their favorite ride-on to Cavalier Family Skating on Wednesdays from 10 a.m.–noon for Stroll & Roll. Let them roll around the floor on their own toys, burn up some energy, and then head home for lunch and a nap.

Cavalier Family Skating
1924 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Stafford Va,
540-657-0758
Online: cavalierfamilyskating.com

Skate-N-Fun Zone
Skate-N-Fun Zone offers Tot Skate from 10 a.m – noon every Friday. Bring your own riding toy and spin out on the smooth polished floor. If they get bored with the wheel fun, there’s also a tiny tot play area they can enjoy.

Skate-N-Fun Zone
7878 Sudley Rd.
Manassas, VA
703-361-7465
Online: skatenfunzone.com

photo: Flickr

 

Rock-and-Roller Skate

For kids ages 5 & up, add a little extra sparkle to the idea of skating with these experiences.

Temple Hills Skating Palace
Temple Hills offers their Lit Saturday-Glow Night, where every Saturday night you can wear glow-in-the-dark clothing and skates. Listen to Hip Hop and R&B tunes as you enjoy the glowing fashion and glide around the floor.

Temple Hills Skating Palace
3132 Branch Ave.
Temple Hills, MD
301-505-6490
Online: unitedskates.com

Lanham Skate Center
Lanham Skate Center offers Family Fun Night on the first, second, and fourth Thursday of each month. Admission to Family Fun Night is just $5 per person, plus $5 skate rental. It’s a great way to get some quality family time!

Lanham Skate Center
9901 Lanham Severn Rd.
Lanham, MD
301-577-1733
Online: lanhamskatecenter.com

Skate Zone
It’s worth the drive to this roller rink in Crofton, MD on Friday nights to take advantage of skating under the black lights. It’s a unique experience that kids will love and will take you back to your high school days. While you’re there, take advantage of their Family Pack: 4 admissions, 4 skate rentals, a pizza and pitcher of soda, and 20 game tokens all for $57.99. Regular admission and skate rental runs $13.50/person, so this is a huge savings!

Skate Zone
10852 Route 3 South
Crofton, MD
410-721-7155
Online: sk8zone.com

photo: Urban Air Adventure Park-Plymouth via Yelp

Extreme Speed

For those kiddos ages 6 & up who love to zoom faster than the speed of light, these adventures are the perfect fit.

Autobahn Indoor Speedway
With three locations in the DMV, this European-style indoor go-karting experience will let your speedster get up to speeds of 50 mph! Never fear, though, because the Italian-style go-karts also come with four-point safety harnesses and dual-disc brakes for superior braking to ensure top-knotch safety for every driver.

Autobahn Indoor Speedway
45448 East Severn Way
Sterling, VA

8300 Sudley Rd.
Manassas, VA

8251 Preston Crt.
Jessup, MD
800-778-7879
Online: autobahnspeed.com

photo: Bob Dmyt via Pixabay

Worth-the-Drive: Go Skate Skateboarding Lessons
If you have a mini-Tony Hawk on your hands, this skateboarding boot camp is worth the drive to Richmond, VA. In a 7-day boot camp, the trainers at Go Skate will teach your tiny skater how to ride and push, position their feet, turn, stay steady on a downhill slope, and all the safety techniques they need to know. Your kiddo will come out of this camp feeling like a pro!

Bonus: they work with kids ages 4 & up, and they can come to you!

Various locations
Online: goskate.com

Adventure Park USA Spin Zone
Bring out the whole family’s competitive side with the Spin Zone Bumper Cars at Adventure Park USA. You might not build up much speed, but the whirling lights will make you feel like you’re moving at warp speed. Bump, spin and crash into each other and enjoy the time bonding.

Adventure Park USA
11113 West Baldwin Rd.
Monrovia, MD
301-865-6800
Online: adventureparkusa.com

—Meghan Yudes Meyers and Wendy Miller

featured image: Alexander Belyaev via Pixabay

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Long gone are the days when dad went to work, came home to a dinner (and probably a finely poured martini) and was thought of as an occasional babysitter. The number of dads staying home with their kiddos is on the rise, according to data from the Pew Research Center.

Given the ever-evolving role that fathers play, daddy bootcamps are popping up to help men overcome first-time parenting anxieties. Even though there’s no shortage of prenatal classes, many are geared towards the maternal experience. This can leave dad feeling left out or unsure about his ability to parent his soon-to-be new baby.

photo: Leandro Vendramini via Pexels

Professor at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and an attending physician at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, Dr. Craig Garfield, told NPR, “Dad’s parenting questions can fall to the wayside.” Garfield added, “Because each parent holds a separate role in their child’s life, expectant mothers and fathers may seek different answers to their parenting questions.”

To address this, and other related issues, classes such as Boot Camp for New Dads are helping fathers-in-the-making to get ahead of the learning curve. The non-profit, which was founded way back in 1990, has helped more than 325,000 men to learn about dad-ing.

According to the Boot Camp’s website it’s a, “Unique father-to-father, community-based workshop that inspires and equips men of different economic levels, ages and cultures to become confidently engaged with their infants, support their mates and personally navigate their transformation into dads.” To learn more about this baby-centric boot camp, visit the Boot Camp for New Dads website here.

—Erica Loop

 

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Taking that first step to getting fit is never easy, and with a new baby, it can seem downright impossible. Luckily there are several fitness programs out there that understand the importance of helping moms make time for themselves and their health, while still caring for their kiddo. We’ve rounded up a variety of classes around L.A. that have created specific programs catered to moms who are looking to get healthy—all with baby on board.

photo: Kellie Fell

Fit4Mom
The country’s largest fitness programs for moms in every stage of motherhood, each location offers classes ranging from pre-to-postnatal fitness. Safely get fit while your bun is still in the oven as Fit4Baby instructors take you through modified yet effective workouts, and then once your little bundle of joy has entered the world, both the Stroller Strides and Stroller Barre programs get you and your little sidekick out of the house and into a stroller-based workout. Instructors help keep restless riders entertained while leading moms through exercises that incorporate resistance bands, cardio, strength training, and core work, all in a completely judgment-free zone. Fit4Mom is also all about helping to connect moms with after-class playgroups and Mom’s Night Outs. With the come-as-you-are attitude, it’s a great place for new moms to build their village.   

Fit4Mom Franchises are located all over L.A. County: Westside, South Bay LA, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Torrance, San Fernando Valley, Palos Verdes and San Pedro, and Long Beach.

Fit4Mom
Online: fit4mom.com

photo: Baby Boot Camp

Baby Boot Camp
This is no stroll in the park, though you may find yourself working out in one! The hour-long, interval-based classes are often held outdoors with kids in strollers and incorporate cardio, strength, and core to make you #momstrong in no time. Nationally certified fitness professionals lead classes for stages ranging from pre-to-postnatal, including Birth Recovery, Diastasis Repair, and Nutrition Education. Baby Boot Camp is also there to provide a supportive environment for moms to build and strengthen their community through their MomStrong Tribe. California boasts the most Baby Boot Camp locations in the U.S., including four franchises in L.A. County. From the Valley to the South Bay, you can get your fit on all over the city.

Baby Boot Camp Franchises located in L.A. County: Encino (East), Sherman Oaks and Studio City, Los Angeles (Beverly Hills and Rancho Park), Los Angeles (Culver City and Marina Del Rey), Los Angeles (Playa del Rey and South Bay)

Baby Boot Camp
Online: babybootcamp.com

photo: Happy Baby

Happy Baby
While the South Bay’s Happy Baby studio embraces a holistic approach, using mindfulness and a nurturing environment, it also wants to help mamas carting around their kiddos to get their booties in gear. Happy Baby offers several yoga and movement classes, but for those looking to really break a sweat, they offer three classes created to push your limit while regaining strength and clarity of mind. Newborns to three-year-olds are welcome to watch mom bust a move (and maybe even learn some themselves) at Mama Cardio Blast, taking moms through muscle-trembling cardio bursts and strengthening circuits, followed by ab work and stretching. Likewise, Mama Sculpt uses both full-range motion and isometric pulses to focus on building core strength and muscle sculpting. A Mama Bootcamp class is also offered, where pre-walking babies up to 14 months are welcome to join mom in a boot camp-inspired circuit training class.

Happy Baby
353 Main St.
El Segundo
424-218-9774
Online: happybabyla.com

photo: Amanda West

Zooga Yoga
In addition to a variety of yoga classes, this studio offers a Baby Booty Barre class where parents and caregivers are welcome to bring their little ones aged six weeks to sitting for one of the most challenging Parent + Me fitness classes they offer. Mixing core, barre, and boot camp styles, the class helps you bond and burn with baby, either by your side or in a carrier. Similarly, the studio’s Yoga Sculpt & Baby class is a full body toning experience done with six-week-old babies to crawlers that help build the muscles mamas need to safely carry and hold baby without compromising posture. For those who love to bust a move while they sweat, their signature Kangaroo Hop invites dancers aged two-to-five to have a blast dancing to modern and old-school hip-hop with their adult dance partners.

Zooga Yoga
11054 Washington Blvd.
Culver City
310-839-6642
Online: www.zoogayoga.com

photo: The Dailey Method

Dailey Baby
Born out of the ballet barre fitness craze that burst onto the scene back in 2000, The Dailey Method offers classes that combine ballet barre work, core conditioning, and muscle strengthening. A variety of workout types put the focus on proper alignment, posture, and strength, which is especially important in the Dailey Baby class (starting up again in Mar.). In this special mommy and me class, exercises and moves are tailored to include your little bundle (ages six weeks to seven months) in a front carrier. Moms can gain strength and balance as they bond with their infants, and start off on a path of healthy living, all with baby in tow. Need to nurse, feed, bounce, or soothe your baby while you workout? Not a problem, it’s all part of the fun at Dailey Baby.

The Dailey Method
1327 1/2 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Venice
310-396-1500
Online: thedaileymethod.com

photo: Farrah Zweig

T.O.T. Fitness
For a whole family, killer 60-minute, full body workout at the park, look no further. Each class starts with kids in their strollers so mom can get in some walking or jogging cardio and burn up those lower body muscles with squats and lunges. During the second half, riders are released for some play time while adults continue with circuit training exercises, rounding out a total body workout. As an added bonus, you’re already at a park with other families, so you’ve basically got a built-in playdate ready to go right after class. You can cool down and chat with other moms while your kids get out that last bit of energy before nap time. In addition to exercise classes, the program also offers nutrition and wellness coaching, which includes menu planning, grocery tours, and even kitchen makeovers.

T.O.T. Fitness
Roxbury Park
471 South Roxbury Dr.
Beverly Hills
Online: totfitness.com

Do you have a Mommy and Me fitness class you love? Let us know in the comments below!

-Kellie Fell

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