Potty training

Potty training can be an emotional time for both you and your child. To help make the process less daunting try and stay relaxed, expect the inevitable accidents, and be prepared to try something different if it’s not working for one or both of you.

When is my child ready for potty training?
Getting started
General potty-training tips
Tips for boys
Tips for girls
Alternative approaches
Further information

When is my child ready for potty training?

Whether you decide to ditch the nappies at three-hours or three-years old, getting your baby or toddler to pee and poo when and where it is appropriate, and stay clean and dry, is one of the challenges of early parenthood.

Most parents think about potty training with their toddler after about 18 months or as he approaches his second birthday but, like most milestones in childhood, there are no absolutes. Every child develops at a different pace and it’s more important to look out for the following signs that he’s ready to potty train rather than his age:

• He stays dry for a couple of hours each day.

• He takes an interest when you, your partner or older siblings go to the toilet.

• He has bowel movements at regular times of the day, say, after breakfast.

• You can tell when a bowel movement is taking place, by his squatting or making a grunting sound, for example.

• He lets you know he wants to be changed when his nappy is wet or dirty.

• He knows he needs to pee and says so in advance.

Most parents would say it's noth worth starting potty training until you’re sure that you’re both ready and you have the time to focus on it.  Major upheavals, both physical and emotional, can affect the success of potty training. Toddlers can pick up the idea very quickly if they're at the right stage, when they have the ability to notice when they need to pee and wait to get to the right place.

Many parents will try to wait until the summer months to begin potty training, as it means there will be fewer clothes to remove if there is an accident. If the weather is warm and you’re outside, inevitable accidents will be easier to clean up as well.

Getting started

Start using words related to the toilet around your toddler, such as pee or wee, poo or poop – whatever you say in your home. Whenever they do a pee or poo in their nappy try to encourage their understanding of what happened and why.

There is a vast array of equipment available to help with potty training, but a lot isn't necessary. Before buying your potty it may be worth considering the following factors:

• Will it be stable and large enough for your toddler to sit on by themselves?

• Would you prefer a simple plastic potty with no extra parts? Although more cumbersome when emptying contents into the toilet, they are light and portable, making them easier to take out and about with you.

• Would you prefer a potty with removable inserts?

• If your toddler is a boy, who has been training for some time, then you can buy a ‘potty for boys’ that will hang on the side of the toilet, allowing him to pee standing up.

Get yourself whatever you feel you need – be that a potty, a special toilet seat plus a child’s step to allow him to reach the toilet easily and pants or pull-ups.

General potty-training tips

There are many tips on how to potty train your toddler. Some of the most common include:

• Leave a potty where your toddler can see it and make sure that they understand what it’s for.

• If he has a regular bowel movement at the same time each day, try keeping his nappy off and suggest using the potty instead.

• As soon as you see that your toddler is ready to pee encourage him to use his potty. If he’s too late, don’t make a fuss, you don’t want him to become anxious and worried.

• You may find that your toddler will react well to lots of praise and encouragement, and will be more likely to ask to use the potty or toilet themselves. This is a good time to introduce hand washing too.

As with any other childhood routine, consistency is the key.

Tips for boys:

• It’s easier to start with him sitting down for both a pee and poo.

• Get dad involved if you can and let him give some demonstrations.

• Once he is starting to stand up to pee in the toilet you can help him aim better by playing ‘sink the cereal’ (float a few pieces of cereal in your toilet for him to aim at), or another suggestion is to put a ping-pong ball into the toilet. It won’t flush away so it’s great for target practice.

• Put some blue food colouring down the toilet. As your toddler urinates it will turn green and might make the experience more fun and exciting.

• If he has a doll or special toy, encourage him to ‘train’ them through the potty training process at the same time.

Tips for girls:

• Allow your daughter to come with you to the toilet, and tell her what you’re doing so that she understands what you’re doing.

• Remember to wipe from front to back to help prevent any infections from developing around her vagina.

• If she has a doll or special toy, encourage her to ‘train’ them through the potty training process at the same time.

 

Alternative approaches

Toilet training

Some parents choose to skip potty training and go straight to toilet training instead. As with most parenting decisions, there are pros and cons to be weighed up. Whilst your child will already be familiar with you using the toilet it can still be seen as daunting and some toddlers may be scared by flushing.

Plus, you will have to help them get on and off. However, on the plus side, you will have enabled your child to use the toilet without having to go through the middle step of using a potty. This also makes it easier when you are out and about.

No-nappy option

There is also the no-nappies-at-all option, which involves observing your baby very closely and learning to recognise the subtle signs he makes when he needs to empty his bladder or bowels, then holding him over a potty or toilet. This is common practice in much of Asia and Africa, where the culture and open drain sanitation systems make it an appropriate option, but it can be more difficult to manage here.

Further information

NCT's helpline offers practical and emotional support in all areas of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood: 0300 330 0700.

Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.

NHS Choices has information on potty training.

Succesful Potty Training by Heather Welford, and a range of potty training accessories are available to purchase from NCT Shop.