Down Syndrome Toilet Training
It is not always that children are born normal. One in a hundred cases can be a child with Down's syndrome. Down's syndrome or DS is a condition in which the child has extra genetic material, which causes delay in the child's growth, and this often leads to the child being mentally retarded. It is difficult enough and frustrating experience for a mother to toilet train a normal child but when it involves a Down's syndrome toilet training it requires more patience and love, comfort on the part of the mother to toilet train such a child with a disability.
Down's syndrome toilet training can start as early as six months. Take the child to a comfortable place like the bathroom and start by making sounds which sound like the child wants to pee. You can even leave the tap water running in the wash basin which will also encourage the child to pee.
The sound of running water always creates a desire in the child to want to pee. Slowly even a child with Down's syndrome will learn that when the mother takes him or her to the toilet and runs the water in the wash basin or makes a hissing sound it is time to pee. The mother should also be aware that within an hour of giving fluids to the child, the child will be ready to pee. So do make it appoint to take the child to the toilet every hour. Once the child is able to move freely you will find that the child automatically informs you if he or she wants to take a pee.
Before Down's syndrome toilet training make a note of schedule of the child like after how many hors he or she does her potty etc. Keep checking the diapers of the child regularly. Once you know when your child wants to take a pee, or do their potty encourage them by taking them to the toilet and being with tem all through while they finish their potty. It will certainly be a very frustrating experience for the mother in the beginning but as days go by the child will learn to trust the mother and also lose any fear they may have with regarding the use of the potty chair and will slowly yield to the love and reassurance of the mother.
Down's syndrome toilet training should never involve forcing a child to do their potty. Alternately, encourage them, as this is most important. Speak to them reassuring words and keep saying potty and toilet many times making them understand the meaning. Children are very quick to learn. They simply refuse to learn when you force things on them. With love and care, they will be willing to learn.
Keep some of the child's favourite toys I the toilet and allow the child to take it along when they go to the toilet for their potty. You can always have them washed and cleaned. You can also lay some soothing music to help them be more relaxed. Only if they are comfortable and relaxed will they do their potty.
Never ever force a child to sit on a potty and leave it screaming and kicking. This will only cause aversion to the child. Do it slowly and patiently in a playful manner and your down's syndrome toilet training can be as simple and easy as training any normal child.