Positive potty training!
Most children are ready to begin potty or toilet training sometime between 18 months and 3 years old.
Your child may find the change from nappies to pants relatively easy, or may find it more challenging. There are lots of things you can try to make things go more smoothly!
Top tips:
- Introduce the language early: use the words ‘wee’ and ‘poo’ from an early age and reinforce these through play – this might be putting Dolly on a potty and saying ‘Dolly needs a wee’
- Prepare your child for the change slowly: allowing them to have some nappy-free time after some of their nappy changes – ERIC (The Children’s Bowel and Bladder Charity) recommends up to 30 minutes nappy free time each day
- Allow your child to feel wet: you can do this by putting underwear under their nappies or using reusable nappies – disposable nappies are so absorbent that they can affect this sensation
- Have a potty or two to hand: More than one potty is useful to have to hand when your child looks as if they need a wee or poo but can’t use or can’t get to the toilet (a travel potty is very helpful when going out and about)
- If your child doesn’t like using a potty: it is fine to skip this step and go straight to using the toilet – for younger, smaller children there are toilet seats and steps you can purchase to make this practical and safe
- Make being on the potty or toilet a positive experience for your child: let them look at a book or sing nursery rhymes while they sit on the potty – please see our Talk, Listen, Cuddle Nursery Rhyme Cards – TLC
- Visual schedules: these can be very helpful for children who might forget steps such as flushing the toilet, washing their hands or wiping their bottom – you will need to support your child to use these at first, but over time you may find your child using these independently: ERIC toileting visual schedule
- Share books with your child: there are many books about toileting which can help your child to understand that this is a normal part of childhood – take a look at Penguin’s best children’s books to help with potty training or ask your local library for recommendations
- If your child has communication needs and delays: toileting visuals, a consistent routine and consistent language can help children with communication needs and delays to toilet train effectively: National Autistic Society’s toileting guide for parents and carers
- Staying dry at night: Remember this can take longer, so don’t feel disheartened if your child has few or no accidents during the day but struggles to stay dry all night
- Work together: with your child’s nursery or childminder if they are in childcare – it is confusing for your child if they wear nappies at nursery but pants at home
- Ask for support: you can speak to professionals at your local Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service (Family Hub) and your child’s nursery keyworker or teacher – If you are concerned your child has bowel or bladder difficulties, please see your child’s GP
