My Child Is Still Wearing A Diaper: Should I Worry?
One of the issues that circulates among groups of mothers quite often has to do with the age at which children start going to the bathroom alone.
If you don’t know the answer, you certainly have the same concern as other mothers. So, in this article, we will answer all your doubts about the following question: what to do if my child is still wearing a diaper?
My child still wears a diaper: is this normal?
We could say that the ‘normal’ has more to do with social pressure than anything else. It is generally said that by the age of three, a child should have stopped wearing a diaper. However, when it comes to biological issues, we cannot be so strict.
If a child is over 36 months old and still does not know how to go to the bathroom alone, this is considered a mistake on the part of the parents, who did not teach correctly or who did it too late.
In kindergarten, other mothers can exert rather irritating pressure to control their child’s sphincters. Therefore, it is normal for a mother to say “my child is still wearing a diaper” with some sadness and even embarrassment.
But take it easy, because it’s also not a question of traumatizing the child just because other children of the same age are already going to the bathroom alone. The same thing happens with other moments related to development, such as walking, talking or using the cutlery to eat.
It is not a question of a stimulus, lack of education or parental carelessness, but biological maturity. The most common is that children between 2 and 3 years old are already physically and psychologically able to leave their diapers.
However, as we said earlier, this is not a definitive limit. Therefore, it is very important to respect the child’s time and, at the same time, help him to overcome this change that is so important for his life.
leaving the diaper takes time
Some children have the ability to leave their diapers overnight, but most children take a few weeks.
In order for a child to go to the bathroom alone, both his organs and nervous system must be ready. This maturation occurs around the age of three, although this age group is just an indication.
You will be able to tell when your child is ready to leave the diaper when he starts to announce that he has taken care of his needs and wants to be changed. The same happens when he indicates that he is urinating or defecating at that moment or if he says he is about to pee.
These are signs that the child can sense what is going on in their body and that the bladder or bowel sends the correct messages to the brain.
Tips to help your child get out of diapers
What should I consider if my child is still wearing a diaper? Here are some guidelines on the subject:
- Leaving the diaper has nothing to do with age, but a biological issue.
- This moment is not a competition with other mothers. Pay no attention to comments comparing one child’s maturity to others.
- Summer is just another season. Avoid waiting for this moment to remove your baby’s diaper.
- Avoid punishing when the child is not able to take care of their needs in the bathroom.
- Imposing the will of elders is counterproductive. The child will leave the diaper when he wants.
- Keep in mind that there can be ‘regressions’ and that they are normal. Mainly in the face of certain changes, such as the arrival of a sibling, a change of house, etc.
To make the process more fun and effective, as parents we must pay close attention to children’s needs. Buying a colorful potty or making up games can be a good idea.
We can also show them how they should sit, setting an example ourselves, reading a story while ‘waiting’ to pee, praising when they reach their goal and, above all, having plenty of extra underwear for the ‘accidents’.
“My son still wears a diaper” is a phrase often heard by doctors and teachers. But that’s not a reason to be ashamed or guilty.
The child, around three years of age, can go to the bathroom alone. For that, she needs our help and support, not pressure or misunderstanding.
