Potty Training:
What's Right, Anyway?

   There seem to be an infinite number of approaches to potty training. How is a parent to know what's right?

   One thing most child care experts agree on is that good potty training minimizes the sense of trauma felt by the child. Most experts recommend waiting until the baby shows both the physical awareness of when she or he is about to "go", and the physical ability to exert some control over the outcome. That way, the parent is not asking the impossible.

    Training pants are a helpful potty training tool because they give the child some control over the potty process. Not having to wait to be unpinned, the child can take the initiative and go to the potty whenever nature calls.

   A good training pant is easy for the child to get into and out of, while still providing a good snug fit. Look for a combination of waterproof cover and highly absorbent core.