Potty training

Potty training is something many parents look forward to as it heralds the end of changing nappies. However, it’s not usually the quickest process. A small number of children get the hang of it within a few days, but others take several months to get the idea. So what can you do to help make potty training an easy transition for your child?

Is your child ready to be potty trained?

Look out for the signs that your child is taking an interest in potty training. A good indication of his readiness will be when he starts imitating the bathroom habits of other people. Some children are ready to learn at the age of two, but some are almost four years old before they’re ready.

Use the correct potty training equipment

You can either buy a potty or a special seat for the toilet to help with your child’s training. Whichever you use, make sure your child can reach the floor with their feet. He’ll need the stability to allow him to push back while he’s having a bowel movement.

Start to introduce the potty

You probably know by now when your child is likely to have a bowel movement. So at this time of day start introducing the potty or seat to him and suggest he sits on it fully clothed. This is so he starts to draw an association between the potty or seat and having a bowel movement.

If he seems a bit scared about the idea, don’t push him. The idea is that the potty starts to become a familiar and non-threatening part of life for your child, so keep it around rather than shut away in a cupboard.

Once your child is happy about sitting on the potty in clothes, start sitting him down on it without a nappy. Explain that this is what you do every day when you go to the toilet - you pull down your lower clothing. You can also explain to your child where the bowel movements go after they’ve been made

Get him to watch while you empty the potty into the big toilet. Let him pull down the flush if he’s feeling brave. Some children are a bit scared of the toilet, because they think they may be flushed away with everything else that goes down it! If he’s afraid of falling in to the toilet bowl because of his size, you could try using a toddler seat insert that fits inside the adult toilet seat.

Give plenty of reassurance that this won’t happen and that he doesn’t need to sit on the big toilet yet. When he does, he’ll have a special seat and mum or dad will always be there to look after him. Finally, teach him to get dressed again and to wash his hands thoroughly.

Night training

It can take a long time to train your child to use the bathroom or toilet during the night. Leave the potty by the bed in case it’s needed and let him know that he can call on you if he needs help during the night.