New book debunks myth that failed potty training is parent or child’s fault

Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolFeb 2 2015

Patience is a virtue, unless your child suffers from one of the most common, and frustrating, childhood conditions: bedwetting. In his new book, It's not your fault!, Joseph Barone, MD, a pediatric urologist, debunks the myth that failed potty training is the fault of parents, or of a child, and provides practical, research-based approaches for toilet training, and for solving bedwetting and daywetting difficulties.

"Potty training is an important milestone in a child's development, but when training fails, it's important for parents to understand that it's not their fault, nor is it their child's fault. Unfortunately, there is a lack of resources for parents that provide proven strategies for successful toilet training that are based on scientific studies," says Dr. Barone, a father of four who is chief of pediatric urology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and surgeon-in-chief at The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. "My book provides parents with evidence-based tools to potty train young children successfully and to resolve delays in toilet training for older children."

It's not your fault!, published by Rutgers University Press and available now digitally and at major book retailers, tackles the biggest urinary concern in children: bedwetting. According to Barone, bedwetting is one of the most common pediatric conditions in children aged 5 to 15, yet can be easily resolved, without medication, in about 90 percent of children. In the chapter dedicated to bedwetting, he emphasizes that while it is true that most children will outgrow bedwetting, it takes a very long time to resolve on its own.

"Parents are often told by family, friends, even their physicians to give it time," says Barone. "Giving children time to mature is a good thing, but waiting too long could interfere with important childhood experiences, like missing sleepovers or camping trips."

The best time to seek an expert's help for childhood bedwetting or daywetting, according to Barone, is between seven and eight years old.

"Dr. Barone shares more than 20 years of experience and as a researcher into urinary difficulties of children to ease parents' frustration and diminish a child's embarrassment," says Dana Dreibelbis, executive editor at Rutgers University Press. "The book is a practical, easy-to-read and most importantly, effective resource based on scientific evidence that parents can trust to help toilet training struggles."

Intended as a comprehensive resource, It's not your fault! not only details proven strategies supported by scientific studies for proper training and common urinary difficulties, it tells parents at what age young children should be trained and gives important information about children's urinary systems. Barone also provides information about medications and tests that exist for children who do have persistent potty concerns, and answers the most common questions he receives from parents and his patients.

Throughout the book, Barone shares patient stories to help readers understand that they-and their children-are not alone. Helpful "Dry Spots" appear in each section highlighting important tips and facts and the book discusses alternative treatments and includes interviews with other experts in children's urology and pediatrics.