Potty training is a big step in a child’s journey towards independence. And when you’re dealing with not one, but two or three little ones, the adventure can seem even more daunting. Don’t worry, though! With a little preparation, patience, and a lot of love, you can learn how to potty train twins and triplets. In this blog we will discuss challenges, advantages and five tips to get your twins or triplets out of those expensive nappies!
The Challenges of Potty Training Twins or Triplets
Twins and triplets are often born with a lower birth weight and their pregnancies come with greater risks than singletons. If your twins are born with complications or struggle with developmental milestones after they are born, often are ready for potty training at a slighter older age.
When starting potty training, parents can choose to start with both the twins (or all triplets) or start with one of the children individually. When potty training twins at the same time, they may start fighting with each other over the potty or they can have difficulties sharing. Research shows that same sex twins have higher levels of conflict and rivalry than opposite sex multiplets (Fortuna et al., 2010). Thus, it can be a challenge for parents to potty train more children at the same time, especially same sex twins. They can find it difficult to wait turns and may become jealous of their sibling.
Another struggle that is often mentioned is distraction. For some children it’s too disruptive to have to sit on their potty together with their sibling(s). They can get distracted by their sibling(s) or potty time will turn into too much playtime. The focus on weeing and pooing on the potty is gone. And when they are not sitting still, it can get a bit messy.
The Advantages of Potty Training Twins or Triplets
When one of your children is ready and the other one is not, you can can still try to potty train your children together. Even if one of them doesn’t seem ready. The child that’s ready for potty training will start and make a great example for his/her sibling. Children love to imitate! This way, the child who wasn’t ready initially might start potty training sooner (in comparison to not having a potty trained sibling). He or she will get the hand of it quicker, because they see their sibling use the potty.
In addition, another advantage of potty training twins at the same time can be rivalry between the siblings. When potty training twins, they may benefit from each other in wanting to do the same thing as their brother or sister. So when one of your children gets to flush the toilet when they went potty, your other child may want to do the same. You can explain why the other sibling can flush the toilet. That might help your other child to use the potty, so he/she can flush the toilet as well.
Potty Training Tip 1: Do Not Wait For Both Of Your Twins to Be Ready for Potty Training
Each of your children is unique and develops at their own pace and in their own way. One child may have early success in potty training. While the other child isn’t potty trained for another few months.
Your twins may look alike and are the same age. Because of that, especially if you have identical twins, you may be inclined to treat your twins alike. But, they are two different little people with their own needs, personalities and abilities. So, it’s best not to assume that your twins will be potty trained at the same time and in the same way.
Instead of this, try to form expectations for each child individually. Start whenever he or she is ready. Would you like to know if your child is ready for potty training? Read more in this blog here or download our free checklist ‘7 things every parent ought to know about potty training’.
Potty Training Tip 2: Decide Whether To Potty Train Twins Separate Or Together
When potty training twins you need decide whether to train your children together or separately. What is best, very much depends on the relationship your twins have. Twins share a special relationship with each other, because they share (party) the same nature and nurture.
Most parents start potty training their twins both at the same time. Reasons for parents to start together are:
- The twins can learn from each other,
- They can stimulate and motivate each other,
- They are used to doing things together,
- And they will be done potty training at the same time.
However, pay good attention to the differences between your children, especially if you have a mixture of boys and girls. Does one pick things up more quickly than the other? Do they have different metabolisms/bowel movements? Do they often negatively influence each other? If so, it can sometimes be more effective to go about it separately. You know your children best. Choose what suits you as a family.
Potty Training Tip 3: One Parent Or Adult Per Child
If you are potty training several children at the same time, make sure you have one parent or adult per child. Keeping your full attention on several children at the same time, cleaning up accidents, playing together on the potty etc. can be very intensive.
Potty Training Tip 4: Ensure Each Child Has Their Own Potty And Underwear
One of the key things when potty training twins or triplets is to ensure each child has their own potty and their own underwear.
When you child has to go potty, he/she has to be able to sit on a potty immediately. Their ability to hold their wee or poo will be very limited in the beginning. So make sure a potty is always available to them. When your children have to share their potty and their sibling is using the potty, it might be too late for them and unnecessary accidents may happen.
Also fighting between the siblings over who gets to sit on which potty can occur. To avoid this, let your children pick their own colour for the potty or let them decorate their potty with stickers. In this way they know which one’s theirs. The same goes for their underwear. Let them choose their own underwear with their favourite cartoon or super hero!
Potty Training Tip 5: Limit Rewards When Potty Training Twins
Limit rewarding when potty training your twins or triplets. One of your children might have success earlier than their sibling. When you reward one child a lot, this can cause regression and frustration for the other child.
Instead of rewarding one child when they have a big success, you can best praise both children in the same way. For example: one of the children didn’t have an accident while wearing underpants for the first time. The other child just weed for the first time on the potty. You can both let them know you’re proud by giving an hug or a high five.
Furthermore, it’s best not to use sticker charts or other forms of rewards such as gifts or candy. This can visualise differences in progress and this can demotivate the child that is making less progress. Or it could lead to tantrums, fights and regression for one of the children.
Potty Training Twins Or Triplets Is A Unique Adventure
Remember, potty training twins and triplets is a unique adventure. But it’s one you can conquer with love, patience, and a dash of creativity. Before you know it, you’ll be celebrating their potty training success and marveling at how far they’ve come. Good luck on this exciting journey! Would you like some help on this journey? Download the Go Potty app for free.
