Go read the Disclaimer again. I am not a doctor. This is not medical advice. Seriously.
It'll be a while yet before Teddy is toddling, but I have young friends. Until Teddy was born, it did not occur to me that I didn't have to have a toddler of my own to make my bathroom toddler friendly. Shortly after that, I realized the bathroom at the martial arts academy I have classes at is toddler friendly -- it has a step for getting to the sink to wash hands. There are a number of steps to help toddlers use the toilet and wash up after. They're generally plastic, with non-skid rubberized surfaces and on the bottom to keep them from slipping on possibly wet bathroom floors. The seat on a toilet is designed for an adult butt. If you've ever seen a toddler on one (or remember being that small yourself), it can be a bit terrifying trying to balance there, finish one's business and wipe carefully afterwards. In addition to various rings that shrink the size of that hole, there are now some products on the market that add a second seat between the adult ring and lid. Some of these retrofit onto existing seats. Others replace the seat/lid combination with a three part item. Getting a step is a cheap, easy way to make your home more welcoming to your young friends, or your friends with toddlers. Getting a flip-n-flush, or ring, similar product might be a nice extra.
Not too long ago, diaper changing tables were rare finds. Public pressure got them into restrooms (including men's restrooms) only recently. I hope we will shortly see a move to make public restrooms, at least at national franchise operations catering to children, or families with small children, more toddler friendly. Someone with more wisdom than I can work out the details, but surely including 2 rings on one or more of the toilets, and an attached step on those toilets would go a long way to helping. A low sink, step on a regular sink, might complete the package. The new-style family bathrooms would be the perfect place to start implementing these or similar ideas. In an ideal world, the junior toilets used by child care centers would be as widely available (at least in places like libraries, zoos, family restaurants and so forth) as stalls for the handicapped. I see signs we are moving in that direction. Slowly.
A General Discussion of Toilet Learning
A General Discussion of Diapering
Our Experience with Elimination Communication
Copyright 2006 by Rebecca Allen.
Created February 2, 2006 Updated April 17, 2006