Toilet training of healthy young toddlers: a randomized trial between a daytime wetting alarm and timed potty training.
OBJECTIVE
Toilet training (TT) is important for every child, but there is no agreement on what is the best training method. We evaluated in a randomized way the comprehensive use of a daytime wetting alarm at home for 5 days in healthy children and compared it with timed potty training.


METHODS
Thirty-nine children, between 20 and 36 months of age, were randomized to wetting alarm diaper training (WAD-T; n = 20) or timed potty training (TP-T; n = 19). Toilet behavior was observed by parents and independent observers before, at the end, and after 2 weeks of training. Late evaluation at 1 month was done by telephone.


RESULTS
The WAD-T group did significantly better than the TP-T group at the end training (p = .041), at 14 days (p = .027), and 1 month after training (p = .027). Independent bladder control was achieved in 88.9% of the WAD-T group.


CONCLUSIONS
The WAD-T method is a structured, child-friendly, highly effective option for TT young healthy children. It offers the parents clear guidelines, a limited time needed to complete TT, a high success rate, and minor emotional conflicts. Results must now be confirmed in a larger sample size.
Vermandel
Alexandra
A
Department of Urology, University Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium.
Weyler
Joost
J
De Wachter
Stefan
S
Wyndaele
Jean-Jacques
JJ
D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D041381:Diapers, Infant; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D014039:Toilet Training