Do you think it's a good idea to use food as a reward in potty training?

Question

I'm just worried about that with my twins. I have been fat my whole life and am just now losing the comfort and reward connection I had with food. I don't want my kids to go thru the same thing. Maybe I'm overthinking it but that's where it all starts folks, in childhood.

Answer 1

With all five of my children, I used two or three M&M's, applause, and praise to potty train, and each one of my kids took less than two weeks to reach success as a result. None of my children are overweight (They range in age of 27-38), and each one used the same technique to potty train their own kids and experienced the same success.

You could also give your twins a slice of their favorite fruit if you are concerned about sugar. As long as you don't reward all good behaviors with food I think you'll be fine. In giving the twins small portions of an edible reward, it also teaches moderation. I have always believed it was the applause and praise that encouraged my children the most. However, I did try the same technique without the "sweet treat", but somehow it wasn't as effective.

Whatever you decide, just be patient. Throughout my years I have sadly witnessed parents getting highly frustrated with their little ones as they were being potty trained. They would scold their little ones or belittle them. The results were disatrous! Potty training needs to be a fun and rewarding experience and anything less than that can delay the process!

Happy potty training Mom! You will do fine! Annie

Answer 2

I think it is ok but if you do reward them food make sure it is a healthy food or snack. Buy a food that they like but hardly get enough of. Then when they use the potty right reward them them with the food they hardly get. I used candy with my daughter and it worked good for a while then I switched to stickers and that worked out ok. Almost all kids will eat whatever you give them just keep more healthy then bad foods in the house and you won't have to worry too much because you know that they are eating healthy. It is ok to worry about that. I am worried about it as well because my whole family is big and I am one of smaller ones but if I don't watch what and how much I eat than I will end up like them and I don't want my daughter to suffer. I live in the 2nd fattest city in the US so I have a little more worrying to do. I don't want to sound like I am belittling anyone but I hope ypu didn't take offense to what I said. Just do what you can with what you got and it will be okay.

Answer 3

NO!

Try to think of a more effective method, possibly stickers which are cheap and always hold the attention of a child.

You could also purchase a small box or recover an old shoe box and make a "treasure chest", fill it with dollar toys or the contents of a "birthday" pack which usually includes multiple items to save $$$!

This will excite the child knowing they will get to search the treasure chest if they use the potty, and your children will not expect a treat each time.

If obesity or any eating disorder for that matter has been a problem in your family, then it's essential to not pass it on to your kids by rewarding them in any way with food.

I let my kids basically eat what they want to, but I do limit quantity, which works for my family.

To promote good health and a Big award, you could reward a "trip to the park" if your child uses the potty every day for one week!

Another method, could be purchasing a poster board and make a "Potty Chart"... Let your child add a sticker each time they use the potty, you could hang it right by the potty seat, if that's what works!

Good luck!

Answer 4

I don't really think food is a good reward in any form or fashion. High praise, a big hug & kiss from Mom worked on my neice & nephew. My sister put up a chart & they got to put up a smiley face sticker when they went in the potty. They were excited to put up that sticker. In her system, after they got a certain amount of stickers, they got to go to the park or get a little toy. They are teens now and love playing sports and running around. I think that goes back to the extra tim spent at the park. Food rewards carry over into other parts of life and b4 you know it they will be eating to celebrate everything. I think food should be for nutrition, not reward.

Answer 5

I am the EXACT same way as you. I have struggled with emotional eating my whole life so I knew I didn't want to use food as a rewards.

My son has just finished potty training. What we did with him was everytime he went on the potty he got a stick to put on his "Potty Progress Chart". If he had an accident we took a sticker away. He has 5 columns with 5 sections on each. When he gets 5 stickers in his squares, he gets a treat. BUT the treats were never food. He just got his 4th treat and it was swimming at the pool a couple of towns over (has a huge water slide so he loves it!). Treat before that was a sleepover at grandma and grandpas. When he finishes all 5 columns he gets to pick out a big toy at the store.

Answer 6

I don't think it is ever a good idea to use food as a reward. As you said, it is easy to equate food with comfort and rewards and as adults we tend to still do it if that is what we learned as children.
You can still reward your children for using the potty, but instead of giving food give them a different treat. It can be as simple as having some extra one on one time with mommy, a day at the park, or have a stash of some inexpensive little toys, such as coloring books.

Answer 7

You are absolutley right in your thought process, but it also depends on what you are offering them. Remember, not all food is bad... fruit, yogurt, half a sandwich. But to use food as a positive reinforcement, that teaches them to look for food everytime they do something good. I don't think you want that!

Give them something to work towards - maybe a toy they saw that they really want, or a trip to the park to feed the ducks, a day at the zoo, etc. There are so many things that can make them happy at that age aside from food!

Answer 8

Food no. Candy yes. I think that if you limit the amount your child gets then it is a special treat. I have done that with both of my potty trained kids (1 is still in diapers) and they are not fat. I am... but I am pregnant. You only have to use candy as a reward for a few weeks. Then they get it and you don't have to reward them anymore. You are over thinking it.

Answer 9

I see where you are coming from. I would try something else. Like Hooray.. and High fives and big hugs! I have also been overweight all my life as well. If you are wanting to use food though.. try healthy things.. like grapes, or peaches, manderin oranges. That would work too. Good luck!!

Answer 10

Use a sticker chart. Then for every x amount of stickers, they will earn a small toy. Best not to use food, even small rewards. I understand where you are coming from.