Baby weaning food pots


Buying Guide 2022: Best Baby Food Storage (6 expert tips)

The Best Baby Food Storage Containers for storing and freezing homemade baby food. Plus – 6 expert tips on how to store baby food, as well as a how-to guide on freezing and thawing your own baby food, FAQs, pros and cons and so much more!

Medically reviewed and co-written by Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).

Best Baby Food Storage Containers

Want to make your own homemade baby food, but are not sure the best way to store it?

Then this post is for you!

Regardless if you are making homemade purees or going with the baby-led weaning approach to feeding your baby, you will need some small fridge and freezer-safe containers to store your baby’s food in.

Below you will find my tried-and-true storage containers at all price points, along with my guide on how to freeze and thaw baby food purees., FAQs, pros and cons of each container, as well as 6 tips on the best way to store baby food.

How to Make Baby Food Video

Watch this video to see how easy it is to make and store your own baby food!

Top Baby Food Freezer Storage Containers

If you just want to cut straight to the chase – these are our absolute favorite storage containers for baby food.

Baby Food Trays

WEESPROUT Silicone Baby Food Freezer Tray – great 10-sectioned baby food tray that holds 1.5oz each, but has a 1 oz fill line for smaller portions. Is made out of premium food-grade silicone and has a plastic lid for easy stacking. These trays or worth their price and we would recommend getting a couple of their fun color trays so you can easily stock up on your homemade baby food.

4 Pack of Silicone Ice Cube Molds Tray with Lid – This is a newer purchase for us and so far the quality has been great and you can’t beat the price for 4 trays! The trays are made out of food-grade silicone and BPA-free plastic and each cube gives you 1oz of baby food.

Glass Baby Food Storage

WEESPROUT Glass Baby Food Storage Containers – We absolutely love these jars! You get 12 colorful glass jars that hold 4oz each. Great for storing baby food purees as well as yogurts, overnight oats, chia seed pudding for toddlers and kids. While the price is a little high, you will get many years worth out of these jars. Well worth the investment in our opinion.

Babymoov Glass Food Storage Containers – I love that this set comes with two different sizes of containers – 4oz and 8oz. This is great if you have a baby that is a bigger eater and needs more than an ounce or two of purees at each meal.

Plastic Baby Food Containers

WEESPROUT Leakproof Baby Food Storage – just as amazing as their glass jars, just with a smaller price tag! This set comes with 12 colorful 4oz jars made out of BPA free high-quality polypropylene plastic. I also love that this plastic version is easier (and lighter) to toss into your diaper bag for a quick baby meal on the run.

OXO Tot Baby Blocks Freezer Storage Containers – a great smaller set that contains 4 – 4oz PVC, BPA, and phthalate-free jars and a storage tray. Great space-saver system that helps keep your jars of baby purees organized and tidy. Plus, you can easily stack more trays on top of each other if you need a bigger freezer stash.

Full Review of each Container: for our full reviews on each of the above products, including pros and cons, go to the end of this guide.

Other Helpful Tools
  • Stasher Bags – these silicone reusable bags can hold your frozen cubes of baby food purees.
  • ZipLock Bags – another option for storing your frozen purees in.

How to Freeze Baby Food

When making homemade baby food purees, your freezer is about to become your best friend, allowing you to keep several weeks’ worth of baby purees at the ready.

For more information on how to make your own baby food, check out my Ultimate Guide on Making Your Own Baby Food!

  • After making your puree, let it cool until just warm.
  • Spoon the puree into your choice of baby food storage container.
  • Cover your container with a lid or plastic wrap, and place in the freezer.
  • Let the puree freeze completely before you crack the purees out of the tray and place the cubes into a plastic freezer zip-lock or stasher bag. If using jars, the frozen purees would stay in the jars.
  • Label each bag or jar with the name of the puree and the date you made it.

How to Thaw Baby Food

Thawing may seem like a no-brainer, but it never hurts to know your options. There are three different ways to thaw purees:

Microwave

Take the frozen puree cubes that you want to serve out of your freezer, place them in a glass container, and microwave in 20-second increments, stirring every time. The puree is ready when it is just warm to your touch.

Grab two clean spoons, one for you and one for your baby, and test your puree before serving.

Some infants like their puree cold, warm, or really warm, and some will devour it no matter the temperature. You will get to know your baby’s personal preferences as the two of you bond over food.

Fridge

This one takes the longest time, but it is a great alternative to using a microwave.

Take the frozen puree cubes you want to serve out of your freezer, and place them in glass containers with airtight lids and leave in the fridge for 12 to 16 hours. Do not leave the puree in the container to thaw on the counter or anywhere out of the fridge, as bacteria will start to grow at a rapid rate – which is definitely not good.

The puree will be cold but thawed, so if your baby likes her puree warmed, you’ll have to finish the job using the microwave or stovetop method.

Stovetop

In the smallest saucepan, you can find, place the frozen puree cubes you want to serve, and gently thaw them on medium-low heat until warm, stirring occasionally.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can you store homemade baby food?

You can store homemade purees in the fridge for up to 5 days or up to 4 months in the freezer. For small finger foods, depending on the item, you can store those in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Is it better to store baby food in glass or plastic?

You can do either! Just make sure to use plastic containers that are BPA-free and container no scratches or dents. To keep the plastic in tact, be sure to wash the containers by hand and do not place in the microwave.

6 Expert Tips on Storing Baby Food
  • Do Not Overfill: it’s important not to overfill any baby food storage container as the purees will expand slightly when freezing.
  • Label Purees: in order to know what you are feeding baby, it’s important to label your purees while they are freezing in the storage containers and when they are stored in freezer bags. Make sure you put the name of the puree as well as the date you made it on. Putting the date on it helps you remember when the puree will expire.
  • Keep Some/Freeze Some: whenever you make a puree, put several ounces in the fridge for your little one to enjoy that week, then freeze the rest of the batch for her to finish up at a later date.
  • Dedicate Space in Freezer: I found it helpful to dedicate a certain space in the freezer (a shelf or drawer) just for your homemade baby food purees. That way you don’t have to go rummaging around your freezer trying to find a puree when your baby is already hungry for dinner. I also found this helpful so that I could take a quick look in my freezer to know exactly how much purees we had on hand and when I would need to make some more.
  • Have Multiple Storage Containers on Hand: while not cheap, having multiple storage containers on hand is really needed to be able to have a good freezer stash of your own baby food. I usually recommend having at least 4 storage trays or 2 sets of jars. This way you can make and store a good amount of purees for the weeks ahead. With the trays, you will freeze the purees in them and then once frozen you can pop out the cubes and place them into a freezer bag, thus leaving you with more trays to work with. For the baby food jars, you will freeze the purees in the jars but they do not pop out, you have to thaw and serve the purees in order to get the jar ready for the next round of food. Either work great, just depends on how you work in your kitchen.
  • What to Look For: regardless of which jars or trays you go with, look for a freezer-safe and dish-washer-safe brand, cuz I know you have better things to do than handwash dishes!

More Resources

Here are some more in-depth guides that will help you feed your baby!

  • Best Spoons for Baby
  • 12 Best High Chairs for Baby
  • Best Sippy Cups for Baby
  • Best Baby Cereals
  • Beaba Babycook Neo Review

Key Features

  • Includes 10 sections that hold 1. 5 ounce each, with a 1-ounce fill line for smaller portions
  • 100% food-grade silicone
  • Reinforced bottom with a sturdy build for stacking multiple trays
  • Non-stick for easy food removal
  • Easy clip-on lid provides coverage
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Available in a variety of fun colors

Why Our Experts Love it

No more time spent looking for lost container lids! We love this compact, all-in-one baby food storage design. It’s ultra-durable, unbreakable, and made with 100% food-grade silicone, which means no harmful chemicals contacting your baby’s food.

Pros/Cons

Pros

  • Multiple sections make it possible to mix and match flavors for a balanced meal
  • 100% food-grade silicone
  • Sturdy design makes it easy to stack multiple trays at once
  • Comes with easy clip-on lid
  • Dishwasher safe

Cons

  • Lid is made of plastic, although contact with baby food is minimal to none, depending on how full you decide to fill containers

Parent’s Review

I’m really pleased with the baby food cube trays. I’ve now been using them for 2 weeks to do my batch cooking for my baby boy. They’re fantastic, good portion sizes, easy to remove and clean, great clip-on lid to prevent food from spilling out before frozen. I will most likely invest in a couple more trays in the near future.

-Jenni

WEESPROUT Silicone Baby Food Freezer Tray

No more making baby food every day or cleaning multiple containers throughout the week! Batch prep baby food, purees, breastmilk, and more – then store your food in the tray or transfer to a Ziploc bag for easy meals.

Amazon

Walmart

Key Features

  • Food grade silicone
  • Comes with removeable lid
  • Easy to stack and store in the freezer
  • Dishwasher safe

Why Our Experts Love it

The quality is great and you can’t beat the price for 4 trays! Each cube gives you 1 ounce of baby food for perfect portion sizing to help minimize waste.

Pros/Cons

Pros

  • Great price
  • Each tray has 14 small sections, giving you plenty of space for different baby food flavor combinations
  • Small portion size can be useful for other items, such has freezing bone broth, fresh herbs in olive oil or candy molds

Cons

  • Not made with the same high-qualilty materials as the trays marketed for baby food – which may not last as long.

Parent’s Review

I bought the trays to freeze my homemade baby food (thanks to COVID-19, I needed to save money and had the extra time). These trays are AMAZING! The lids made for easy stacking in the freezer. The cubes were very easy to pop out, definitely more sturdy than they feel, easy to clean, great colors, and can’t beat the price for he quality. I highly recommend this product!! Thank you!!

-Lacey

4 Pack of Silicone Ice Cube Molds Tray with Lid

These silicone ice cube molds are quite the bargain! The flexible silicone material shapes the bottom well, making it easy to release baby food.

Amazon

Key Features

  • Set of 12 glass baby food storage containers with lids
  • 4-ounce capacity jars with measurement markings
  • Made of food-grade glass
  • Airtight, twist-on lids
  • Microwave, freezer and dishwasher friendly
  • Also available in 8-ounce capacity

Why Our Experts Love it

We love these colorful, eco-friendly glass jars. They are great for storing baby food purees as well as yogurts, overnight oats, and chia seed pudding for toddlers and kids. They also come in a BPA-Free plastic version – WEESPROUT Leakproof Baby Food Storage.

Pros/Cons

Pros

  • Ultra-durable glass jars
  • Airtight twist-on lids helps keep food fresh
  • Convenient measurement markings lets you control the portion size
  • Jars are stackable for space saving

Cons

  • More expensive than other storage containers, although many reviewers feel their durability makes the investment well worth it

Parent’s Review

I’m thrilled at this product. I was looking for non-toxic, non-plastic container options to store baby food and to take to daycare. This has been an awesome solution! I love that I can store in freezer, write on lid, and thaw food in warmer without worrying about heating up plastic. The glass is sturdy, they look great, and I can reuse for more than just baby food. I’m really happy with this purchase. The package came safe with thoughtful minimal packaging. Love this eco-friendly, zero waste baby product. Wee Sprout has been excellent to work with and offers amazing customer service.

-Michelle

WeeSprout Glass Baby Food Storage Containers

WeeSprout Baby Food Storage Containers make batch preparing baby food quick and easy. Airtight lids keep food fresh, nutritious, and delicious longer.

Amazon

Walmart

Key Features

  • Set of 8 glass containers and lids (four, 4 ounce and four, 8 ounce containers)
  • Measurement markings on the jars
  • Leak proof lids
  • Made of environmentally-friendly glass, BPA and Phtalate free
  • Microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe

Why Our Experts Love it

We love that this set comes with two different sizes of containers – 4 ounce and 8 ounce. This is great if you have a baby that is a bigger eater and needs more than an ounce or two of purees at each meal.

Pros/Cons

Pros

  • Multi size pack provides convenience
  • Airtight screw top keeps food fresh
  • Stain resistant and free from harmful components
  • Stackable for easy storage

Cons

  • More expensive than other storage containers, although many reviewers feel their durability makes the investment well worth it

Parent’s Review

I bought a set to test out as reusable containers for my breast milk and I am not disappointed!! I love that they’re able to hold a good quantity of milk even more so than the baggies and the main reason I got them is because I can easily just wash them and reuse them…. they fit perfectly fine and could be easily stacked so I’d say they’re the perfect size!! The lid is a twist on so you don’t have to worry about leaks at all which was another important thing for me very easy to use clean and reuse… the best part is I can use them for this now and later on when needed I can use them for other things so I’ll be getting my money’s worth with them.

-Adriana

Babymoov Glass Food Storage Containers

Provides a healthy and easy way to store your baby’s meals, in addition to preserving the taste of food for longer. Stackable for easy storage and microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe.

Amazon

Walmart

Related

Title of Related Post

Key Features

  • Set includes four, 4-ounce containers and stackable tray
  • Leak-proof seal
  • Measurement markings indicate portion sizes
  • BPA free
  • Microwave and dishwasher safe
  • Also available in 2-ounce capacity

Why Our Experts Love it

The OXO Tot Baby Blocks are a great smaller set if you don’t plan on making a lot of baby food or only making baby food occasionally. The space-saver system helps keep your jars of baby purees organized and tidy.

Pros/Cons

Pros

  • Airtight, watertight, leak-proof seal prevents spills in freezer or diaper bag
  • Stackable tray keeps containers stable and organized in the freezer
  • Measurement markings make portioning simple

Cons

  •  Some reviewers find that taking apart 3 pieces to wash can be tiresome, but does allow for a thorough cleaning

Parent’s Review

The quality of these containers is definitely much superior than the other cheap ones we see here on Amazon. Why buy a cheaper thing to your baby if you will be using these containers over an over again? Also they are beautiful and very easy to clean. They are so good that I decided to buy more sets, I have 2 of 4 oz containers and 2 of the 6 oz containers. For now, that my baby is 8 months old his meals are 4 oz but might improve in the future so I decided have those bigger ones and fill with whatever quantity I want now.

– Renata

OXO Tot Baby Blocks Freezer Storage Containers

Baby Blocks are airtight, watertight and leakproof for safe storage and spill-free outings. Blocks fit into the freezing tray, and multiple trays can be stacked to save space in the freezer.

Amazon

Walmart

Target

The best baby food storage for your homemade purees and meals | Baby

When your baby is ready to wean, having the right baby food storage will help make the process easier for you to prepare meals for your little one without food going to waste.

Whether you’re pureeing your baby’s food or creating handy meals, storing your food in baby-friendly portions in the fridge or freezer will help to save leftovers while providing equally as nutritious meals as freshly prepared dinners.

Baby foods can only be reheated once and half-eaten meals can’t be saved as saliva carries bacteria, so having your puree divided into helpful portions will mean you’ll be able to cut back on food waste and save money too while tailoring the flavours and textures of the puree to your baby's liking.

We've listed the best baby food storage pots, trays and pouches for you with some recipes your little one will love!

Types of baby food storage

There are different baby food storage options available, and the best choice for you depends on your meal preparation and what you need the storage for. If you're looking for multi-purpose storage for snacks and secure travelling, pots may be better suited but if you're planning to make delicious puree batches, pouches and freezer trays may be of more use.

Choosing ones that are dishwasher, microwave and steriliser safe can also help to make your life easier when it comes to cleaning and reheating recipes.

Plastic pots

Plastic pots are a way to handily store leftovers in your fridge and some are made to be freezer-safe too. A great size for little portions, these lightweight pots are great for storing puree, meals and snacks that you can carry on the go. Make sure that your plastic pots are BPA-free for your little one’s safety.

Freezer trays

At the beginning of the weaning process, your baby is likely to only want small portions and making quantities to suit might be fiddly and result in wasted ingredients. You can make batches up to go into ice cube trays for little mouths, or specially-made freezer trays, designed for storing, sealing and popping out portions when needed.

Baby food pouches

Reusable pouches are great for puree storage, offering a flexible and lightweight solution that can be used on the go. Soft pouch tops allow teething babies to comfortably chew from all angles while snacking without hurting their soft tender gums and help little ones to self-feed holding their purees, compotes, smoothies, soups and yoghurt.

Glass storage containers

Glass jars and containers provide an ideal way to store homemade baby food if you’d rather avoid plastic. Made from sustainable and durable materials, these jars are great for fridge/freezer storage, reheating and easy cleaning. They are likely to last longer and less likely to stain, absorb smells or warp in extreme temperatures.

How long can you keep baby food in the fridge/freezer?

Baby food can be kept in the fridge and used within two days (one day for rice), or you can pop your puree in the freezer to keep it for longer. Cooked food can be kept in the freezer for up to three months. Freezing helps to lock in the nutrients and prevents the growth of bacteria so your baby’s food will stay safe.

If you’re popping multiple batches in the fridge or freezer, make sure to label and date the portions as you would with normal leftovers so you can keep track of the ones that are reaching their best before and so you know what needs using first.

The best baby food storage:

View offer

Slide 1 of 0

Description

These pouches are designed to make life a 'doddle' with less fuss and less waste. These four clear

Slide 1 of 1

View offerView offer

Slide 1 of 0

Description

The pots are perfectly designed for early weaning with soft bases and sides to pop out frozen food

Slide 1 of 1

View offerView offer

Slide 1 of 0

Description

This pack of 6 plastic pots have multicoloured screw-on lids to securely store and transport your

Slide 1 of 1

View offerView offer

Slide 1 of 0

Description

Ideal for storing baby food in manageable portions, this pack of 6 stackable pots are great for

Slide 1 of 1

View offerView offer

Slide 1 of 0

Description

This pack of five pots is made with a stackable design for space-saving and practical use of the

Slide 1 of 1

View offerView offer

Slide 1 of 0

Description

Store your homemade baby food safely with this pack of 20 storage cups with write-on cups and lids

Slide 1 of 1

View offerView offer

Slide 1 of 0

Description

These stackable and clippable pots offer a space-saving solution for your kitchen and make them

Slide 1 of 1

View offerView offer

Slide 1 of 0

Description

This pack of 8 baby food cubes can be placed in the tray or stacked to fit best in your freezer.

Slide 1 of 1

View offerView offer

Slide 1 of 0

Description

Available in purple, blue, green, grey, orange, pink and yellow, this flexible freezer tray is

Slide 1 of 1

View offerView offer

Slide 1 of 0

Description

This NUK Food Cube Tray is designed for freezing and storing freshly prepared baby food. Because

Slide 1 of 1

View offerView offer

Slide 1 of 0

Description

Use these handy pots to freeze what you don't use straight away and you'll have tasty baby meals

Slide 1 of 1

View offerView offer

Slide 1 of 0

Description

This award-winning baby weaning set has everything you need to prepare and store your nutritious

Slide 1 of 1

View offerView offer

Slide 1 of 0

Description

These four cute character baby food pouches are sure to make weaning even more fun for your little

Slide 1 of 1

View offerView offer

Slide 1 of 0

Description

This pack of 20 reusable pouches provides simple storage for homemade purees, smoothies and

Slide 1 of 1

View offerView offer

Slide 1 of 0

Description

These versatile containers are perfect for reheating, serving, and storing your homemade baby food

Slide 1 of 1

View offerView offer

Slide 1 of 0

Description

We love a good Kilner jar for storage, so why not use them for your baby food? These Kilner Kids

Slide 1 of 1

View offerView offer

Slide 1 of 0

Description

These 12 cute containers are sealed with BPA free lids and food-grade silicone seals for a safer

Slide 1 of 1

View offerView offer

Slide 1 of 0

Description

These four jars are made from food-safe, high-quality glass with airtight, leak-proof silicone

Slide 1 of 1

View offer

How to freeze and reheat baby food

Once you’ve made your baby puree, make sure to let your prepared meals cool before popping them in the fridge or freezer to keep. Don’t let your food sit out for more than two hours after cooking.

When it comes to defrosting baby purees, you can do this overnight in the fridge and use within 24 hours. Alternatively, you can reheat your baby purees from frozen, making meal prep for your little one even easier.

Baby purees should always be reheated until piping hot in order to kill off bacteria, even though they are best served at room temperature. This can be done on the hob or in the microwave, assuming your baby food storage pot is microwave safe of course! If you are reheating from frozen, make sure to increase your cooking time and check carefully to make sure your puree is evenly heated throughout.

Baby food recipes for storing in the freezer

Making homemade healthy purees for babies not only helps to control their sugar and salt intake, but it's a great cost-effective way of supplementing their nutritional needs. We've listed some of the best sweet and savoury recipes for you to try for your little one. If none of these takes your fancy, we've got plenty more recipe options here.

Savoury recipes

Cauliflower and pumpkin puree

Butternut squash, pea, broccoli and kale puree

Lentil and vegetable puree

Sweet recipes

Summer berry puree

Peach, apple and strawberry puree

Plum, peach and prune puree

Top tips for preparing and storing homemade baby food

  • Before freezing masses of puree, make sure your baby likes the food first! It’ll save you wasted efforts, cleaning, food costs and waste

  • Have some basic equipment to hand to make quick and easy meals and purees for your baby, packed with nutrients. We’d recommend a steamer, electric hand blender and food processor

  • Cook vegetables in a pan or steamer and then mash up or blend the mixture until smooth

  • Make sure all work surfaces and utensils are clean before preparation and your hands are cleaned with soap and water

Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us

How to potty train a child correctly and quickly

05/25/2018

≈ 6 min read time

Contents

  • When to potty train a child
  • Learning to use the potty and the toilet nine0010
  • Choosing a Potty Training Method
  • How to potty train a child in 7 days
  • nine0009 How to quickly potty train a child
  • Follow the dress code
  • Praise and encourage! nine0010
  • What is the difference between a boy and a girl

How to understand if the baby is ready for potty training, how best to organize this process, what mistakes should be avoided, and what to do if difficulties arise.

At about a year old, the child begins to realize that it is time for him to "do important things." At this time, he already understands whether he wants "in a small way" or "in a big way." The natural control of these processes begins after a year and finally takes effect during the second year of life. The average age for the development of stable reflexes is from 22 months to 3 years. A conscious trip to the potty is an important indicator of a child growing up. Pediatricians believe that it is important not to rush here. Parents need to be prepared to spend the time and energy to teach their child all the subtleties of this delicate process. True, there are geeks who can learn in a few days. But not all parents are so lucky. Most children take several months to perfect this skill. nine0003

1) Right time. Before you start potty training your child, ask yourself a few questions:

  • Has the baby established a more or less stable bowel habit?
  • Can it keep diapers dry for more than 1. 5 - 2 hours?
  • Does the child know the names of body parts and items of clothing?
  • Does he understand the meaning of the words "pee" and "poop"?
  • Can the baby follow simple directions? nine0010
  • Can he walk and sit up?
  • Can he take off and put on his pants by himself?
  • Can he demonstrate negative emotions caused by being in dirty diapers?
  • Is he able to communicate the word "I want" to his parents in any way?

If you force a child to sit on the potty when he is not yet ready for this either mentally or physically, most likely this will not lead to anything good, except for unnecessary stress for the baby and for you. nine0003

If you have older children, do not expect the baby to repeat all the stages of their development exactly. He can start going to the potty both earlier and later than them.

2) Correct conditions. The next thing you should do is evaluate the circumstances in which you are going to potty train your child. If during this period of his life he already has a lot of stress (a change in kindergarten, a new nanny or the appearance of a younger brother), he will have to postpone it until better times. nine0003

Now ask yourself if you are ready to train daily for several months. If you're renovating or just starting a new job, if you're pregnant again and feeling sick in the morning, this may not be the best time to potty train your child.

If the time is right and after consulting with the pediatrician you think that the baby is ready, you can start.

How to tell if your child is not ready for potty training0003

Oksana Sergeevna Mishchenko

Child psychologist

Parenting

7 "no" in potty training

Before you start training, you need to choose what you are going to teach your baby to - to the potty or to the child's toilet seat. If you have chosen a pot, you need to understand what parameters it should meet: nine0003

  • Size. The pot should fit the child in size - it is necessary that the baby does not fall into it and it is comfortable to sit on it.
  • Form. With a girl, everything is simple. It is better for her to buy a regular round potty on which she can sit with her legs together. For a boy, an anatomically shaped potty with a protrusion in front, thanks to which he will spread his legs to the sides, is more suitable. This makes it easier for him to do his job.
  • Design. The pot should not scare and repel the child. After all, he will become his best friend for a long time, so it is important that he evokes positive emotions in the baby. There are pots of different colors and shapes, with different characters and even with music. Choose the one that your little one likes. However, it is important that the child does not perceive it as a toy and does not sit on it for a long time. nine0010
  • Security. No matter how the pot looks, first of all it must be stable and safe.
  • Convenience. A pot with a lid is fine if you can't immediately pour out its contents, a pot with a footrest is more stable, and if it is "equipped" with a handle (or a recess for a hand), it is convenient to take it out.
  • Material. Most pots are made of plastic, enameled ones are stronger but also heavier. There are pots made of plastic with an antiseptic additive and materials that accept the temperature of the child's body, regardless of the air temperature. nine0010

If you are considering a child seat on the toilet, first make sure that your child is not afraid of the toilet itself, the possibility of falling through and the loud sound of water draining.

First of all, the seat should be comfortable. Check if the baby reaches the floor with his feet. If not, buy him a special step-stand so that he can climb onto the toilet on his own, and put his legs on it during the process. There are round and anatomical seats, with a ledge in front, with back support in the back, combined with adults and portable folding ones that can be used outside the home. nine0003

Considering that the learning process is often delayed, the potty may be more convenient. It can be placed in a room where it is more pleasant to communicate with the baby than in a cramped toilet.

Some combine the potty with the toilet. This option will be convenient for boys: in a big way you can go to the potty, and in a small way - to the toilet, standing on a step-stand.

There are many methods of potty training, we will talk about the most popular of them. First you need to explain to the child why the pot is needed. nine0003

  • Introduce your child to the potty. Well, if he chooses it himself. Put it in the nursery so that the baby gets used to it.
  • Show your child the connection between the desire to go to the toilet and the potty. The next time he gets his diaper dirty, put him on the potty and throw the contents of the diaper inside.
  • Offer the potty when the baby is most likely to use it for its intended purpose (after sleep, after eating, when he shows signs that he wants to go to the toilet - writhing, squatting, touching the genitals). Draw your baby's attention to these signals so that he also learns to read them. nine0010
  • Focus your attention not only on the potty, but also on actions with it: how to get it, open it (if it has a lid), how to remove and put on panties, where to pour the contents, how to wash the pot, close and put it back.
  • Try to let him sit on the pot for about a minute. Keep him company, be somewhere nearby, talk to him or read a book.
  • Gradually offer the baby a potty not only when he wants to go to the toilet, but when the daily routine requires it (before going to bed, before going for a walk). nine0010
  • Constantly remind your baby that he has a potty.

For many children, the curriculum developed by English nanny and non-fiction author Gina Ford is suitable. It is intended for children who already know how to take off their clothes on their own and understand the words of their parents.

  • On the first day, remove the diaper after sleeping. Tell the child that he is already an adult, put him on the potty, explain what needs to be done and why. If he does not succeed the first time, repeat the procedure every 15 minutes. It is important that he sit on the potty for 10 minutes. Be there, entertain him, make sure he doesn't jump up. nine0010
  • On the second and third day, repeat all steps. Make sure that he does not play too much and does not put on pants. Do not wear diapers even for a walk. Put him on the potty before going out, constantly ask if he wants to use the toilet, you can take the potty with you.
  • From the fourth day you will know exactly when your child wants to go to the toilet. After a successful visit to the potty, be sure to praise the baby.

According to this popular method, you need to start from the moment when the baby can no longer write for 1 - 2 hours, he himself begins to resist putting on a diaper and walks “in a big way” at about the same time. nine0003

This method is only suitable for the day - it takes more time for the child to learn to control himself at night.

  • First, let your baby go without a diaper all day. It is important to be around and watch him at all times. Every time you try to pee or poop, put him on the potty. Let him feel the connection between his actions and the potty. You will have to be a psychologist: do not focus on failures, but do not forget to praise for every successful attempt. nine0010
  • The second day differs little from the first. Unless you can walk without a diaper. It is better to go for a walk immediately after the baby went to the toilet, and for a walk - not far from home, so that you can return and change at any time. You can bring a change of clothes or even a potty with you. And again praise for every successful attempt.
  • On the third day, you can add another walk. Let the child learn to control himself when the potty is not at hand. Potty him before a walk, before going to bed, after returning from the street, and after waking up. nine0010

After three days of active interaction with the potty, children can begin to ask for it themselves.

  • It is easier to potty train in the summer when the child does not have as many clothes as in the cold season. It is easier to remove, and in case of a miss, you will have to wash less.
  • If your child is having difficulty taking off his panties on his own, explain to him that it is okay to ask for help and that there is nothing to worry about.
  • Have him run naked next to the potty. The more time he spends without diapers, the faster he will learn. nine0010
  • However, it is too early to give up diapers completely. In transport, at night, during a winter walk, day or night sleep, they will greatly help you. But every time the child woke up dry, urgently put him on the potty and be sure to praise him for a clean diaper.

It is easier for a child to control himself during the day. Therefore, he can learn to use the potty in 2 to 3 months. It can take several months or even years to wean him from walking under him at night. nine0003

In case of success, be sure to praise the child, and in case of failure, do not be upset or show that you are upset.

  • Some children are well motivated by stickers, badges and stars in a specially designed schedule. Others promise to read a book before bed or take a walk in the park.
  • Praise the child, even if he just sat on the potty, without visible results. Tell him that he does everything like an adult. And if it doesn’t work out now, it will definitely work out next time. nine0010
  • After two weeks of successful potty use, have a party. Say goodbye to diapers. Give your baby panties that he can easily take off on his own.
  • Don't overdo it. Don't make a big deal out of every attempt or your little one may feel restless and shy from the attention.

1) The importance of conversations. Sometimes it is enough to talk to a child like an adult. Explain to him all the details of the process: how to understand what you want to go to the toilet, why you need toilet paper, why wash your hands. Try to convey this in a playful way, draw on a piece of paper what is happening in the body. Find children's educational materials on the topic: pictures, videos, cartoons. nine0003

Children learn by copying adults. Watching you use the toilet, they will understand without words why it is needed. Every time you go to the toilet, bring your child's attention to it.

If your toddler has older siblings or friends who are already potty trained, ask them to set an example. The example of the father will most effectively affect the boy.

2) The importance of regimen and rituals. To form any habit, it is important to repeat the same action regularly. nine0003

  • Try to put your baby on the potty at the same time (after breakfast, before bathing, before bed). This will help him get used to the potty and treat it like a daily chore.
  • In order not to disturb the routine, try to take the potty with you when you go to visit.

It is believed that boys take longer to master this process because it is more difficult for them to control the muscles that are involved. nine0003

  • The learning process for boys actually consists of two stages. First he needs to learn to write while sitting. When he masters this skill, he will have to learn to write standing up, not overshooting the potty or toilet.
  • A father, older brother, or family friend can show a boy how to urinate standing up. At the same time, an adult must definitely cheer him up.
  • If you have a girl, it is important to follow the rules of hygiene: wipe the anus and labia from front to back, especially after she went big. This is important in order to minimize the possibility of germs from the rectum entering the vagina or bladder. nine0010

Make potty training easy for your kids!

References

  1. Fadeeva V. V. The most important Russian book of mothers. Pregnancy. Childbirth. First years. Moscow: AST Publishing House, 2013. - 768 p.
  2. Belopolsky Yu. A. Big encyclopedia of mother and child. Moscow: Eskimo Publishing House, 2009. — 352 p.
  3. Smirnova IV Pregnancy, childbirth, motherhood. Ideal training program. St. Petersburg: Vector Publishing House, 2008. - 208 p.

What time to potty train a child: when to start

23.09.2019