Voluntary control over the bladder and the bowels begins at about 18 months to 2 years of age. Accordingly, it seems a waste of time to most parents and physicians to start toilet training an infant before that age.
In time, a baby can train himself or herself. Parents who allow their baby to carry out such natural training should be aware, however, that as with parent-trained babies, one infant can be toilet trained within a few weeks while another may take a year or more. Encouragement should be given as well as praise and even some reward when due.
But most parents prefer to take a more active part in toilet training their child. It is important that parents always appear relaxed about the training program. If the project makes a parent visibly anxious or if it is discussed too earnestly in front of the baby, the baby can become nervous and object to the whole idea.
Toilet Training Method. Start the training program in the morning. Put a fresh diaper on the baby before he or she has breakfast. At the end of the meal, if the baby is still dry and clean, sit him or her on the infant toilet seat. It is a good idea to reserve some favorite toy or toys just for the session.
Each toilet training session should last no longer than five minutes. Stay with the baby during the first few times, but only as company. Do not play with him or her. After several days of this routine, the parent should leave the baby, but remain within a reassuring distance.
At the end of five minutes, the baby should be lifted from the seat. If there is anything in the toilet, the parent should express approval. If not, the parent should merely say something casual like, "We'll try again tomorrow." Parents must avoid showing displeasure at such a time.
This routine can gradually be carried out more than once a day, but not so often that the baby gets the impression that he or she is spending a large part of the day on the toilet.
If the baby cries and obviously objects to sitting on the seat, abandon the toilet training for about a month, then try again.
Eventually, the baby's toilet habits may become so regular that a parent can chart them and use this as an aid to toilet training. However, a toddler should not be allowed to get into the habit of calling for a toilet session at 6 A.M., for example, if a parent resents getting up at that hour.
The parent can adjust the baby's mealtimes and diet to encourage the bowel and bladder to empty at socially convenient hours.
Choice of Toilet Seat. The toilet seat should be sit firmly on the floor so that the baby cannot tip over and become frightened. The circumference of the top should fit the baby's bottom. A toilet seat that can be fitted to the ordinary adult toilet is too high for a baby to relax on. It may be dangerous and is certainly not suitable for a baby that is starting to toilet train. It is much easier for an infant to relax when his or her feet are supported and comfortably resting on the floor.
Perhaps the best time to start training a baby to use a toilet is halfway through the second year. By then a baby has control over bowel movements and may be aware of a full bladder in time to tell a parent.
Hospitalization - Admission Procedures
The procedures you follow on admission to a hospital vary from one hospital to another, but basically the process is the same in most institutions in the United States.
Care of the Dying - Reaction of Children
A child's reaction to death depends on many factors. A child's first experience with death is often the death of a pet. A child under the age of eight cannot understand that death is irreversible and may expect the mother or father to bring the pet back to life. After the age of eight or nine, the child's understanding is usually as rational as an adult's understanding.
Care of the Dying - Moment of Death
Do not be alarmed if the patient's breathing makes a groaning or croaking sound. It does not mean that he or she is in pain. When a dying patient slips into a coma, the position of the neck and body produces the noise, which can be reduced by gently turning the patient's shoulders or body.
