Rewards for Potty Training

Updated on November 04, 2008
E.M. asks from Long Beach, CA
12 answers

I have heard a lot of people say they use M&M's as a reward for potty training, do you do one M&M per visit to the potty...or only if they actually pee or poo in the potty? We don't normally eat candy, but my son does love M&M's and I think they could be a good reward since he would look forward to them. I've also thought about using stickers, he loves those too. If anyone has done this I'd love to hear how it went.

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H.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

I would only reward if he goes potty or pee. Otherwise they will learn to tell you they have to go when they do not have to void. I would not give them candy. I would find a special toy that they really like to play with (maybe one that makes noises when you push buttons and tells you names of things). Then allow him to play with it as a reward. After he learns and is trained, you can give him the toy to go with the rest of his toys.

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L.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

M&M's are a great idea.
We used Stickers and when that wore off we gave "high fives." Every time they made their mark in the toilet.

The rewards were given for making a pee or poop in the potty, trying got a great job! Next time you'll get a sticker or high five.

L.

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L.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

We use sickers and a potty book. My daughter can peel off the stick and put it in the potty book under the activity she completed such as went pee or poo poo in the potty, remembered to wash her hands after. Things like that.

Good luck.

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D.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

I am potty training my two year old and i do not use candy as a reward. I use stickers. I bought tons of stickers from the 99cent store and a mickey mouse sticker book. Everytime he uses the potty, myself and my husband clap and and praise him, then we let him have some stickers. We put the album away when he is done and he knows this is only when he goes potty. We are not totally potty trained yet but are on our way. You can also try berries like raspberries or fruit.

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L.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

We did M&Ms... I gave my daughter 2 each time she successfully pee pee'd on the potty. And I made a huge fuss about how great it was!

She is 2 1/4 and completely potty trained (even at night!) but I think this is due to the fact that she did it on her own. I had a potty seat outside (it was summer) and a seat that fit inside the real toilet inside. She "practiced" on each and then started going...

Good luck!

Lisa

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S.T.

answers from Los Angeles on

I've used both. I hated the idea of using candy as a reward and started with stickers. Stickers were all that my son needed, but my daughter needed more. I taped a piece of cardstock, that my son/daughter picked out, to the wall. Each time he/she went potty I gave him/her a sticker. They loved it. However, my daughter was difficult to potty train and eventually I had to switch to another reward. We switched to M&M's as they are her favorite treat. I gave her one M&M for each time she went potty. That finally worked. Now that she's older (she's 4), I still have some issues with accidents (did I say she's been difficult to potty train?). When I know she needs to go potty but she's being resistant, I bribe her with a penny. I only have to give one or two pennies a week, but that is what is working now to reduce accidents. At any rate, every child is different and you have to figure out what motivates your child. You may ask your son what he wants as a reward. I often let me children pick their rewards and I'm usually surprised by what they prefer. Good luck!

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S.B.

answers from San Diego on

I used a Bob the Builder sticker book for my son when he had a bowel movement in the toilet. He trained easily out "the front end," but didn't want to use the toilet for bowel movements for a long time. I thought that the sticker book was a lot more sanitary than food in the bathroom. Also, so many eating disorders have their roots in using food as a reward. I preferred not to go down that road, and fortunately the stickers worked for my son. If you feel that you want to use food as a reward, how about something a little healthier like graham crackers, goldfish crackers, raisins, or cut-up fruit?

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J.L.

answers from San Diego on

Hi E M For my kids who are now grown, and my daycare kids, I put the M&M' in a clear jar and put it where it is visable but ot of reach. I give them 3 for going pee and 4 for going poop, after a week or so, they only get the reward if they tell me then do it, because if you continue to reward them everytime YOU put them on the potty, you are rewarding them for YOUR efforts not their's, it works great, mine weretrained at 21 months, 19 months, and 22 months. J. L.

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S.A.

answers from Honolulu on

I do Jelly Beans! :) Same concept as the M&M's though (my daughter just can't have chocolate, that's why...)
I do one jelly bean for pipi, two for poopoo. And at first I did one "just for trying" just to kind of get her wanting to go... Good luck!

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N.W.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi,

We used M&M's for our son...we would put a few in a baggie and he was rewarded with the baggie when he attempted to go potty and then he would get more in his baggie when he did go potty or poo...I swear it worked the first day we started and he was completely potty trained within a couple of weeks...

Good luck!!!

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J.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

what i give my daughter whos just shy of 20 months is the after dinner mints (because they are soft and basically melt in her mouth. we started potty training at 18 months old and its going great with this system. she only gets a candy (the mint) when she goes potty and 2 if she poops in the potty. usually she doesnt even care if she gets a candy or not because she sees how happy i get when she pottys. stickers are great too! you can get a special book for him to put all his special stickers in. also i have seen some moms who do a goody bag of small non expensive toys and let their child pick one for going potty. really anything will do just try something and see if it works. i hope this helps good luck!

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C.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

Try stickers first. Maybe you could give 1 sticker for effort and more for success -- see what works. If stickers don't do it (after a few weeks), then try M&M's (but you may not want to encourage eating candy in the restroom for sanitary reasons.)

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