Who is this leaflet for? This leaflet is to help parents who are about to try potty/toilet training with their children.
Note. If your child prefers to use the toilet rather than a potty the same guidelines apply. However you will require a training seat that fits securely to adapt your toilet and a small step for your child to rest his/her feet on.
Coping with toilet training
Is my child ready? Most children are ready to start potty training from 2 years old. It is best not to start at times of change, for example, • New baby • Moving house • Illness (start when your child is well). Your child’s body is ready when s/he starts to gain control of his/her bladder. All children develop at different rates. Having a poo at the same time everyday does not mean your child has control. Look for signs that your child is ready: • Nappies are dry for reasonable lengths of time. • S/he may show signs of needing to have a wee or a poo. • S/he may indicate s/he has had a wee or poo and may take his/her nappy off. • S/he may use words to describe what s/he has done.
Is your family ready? Planning is important. It takes time and effort. It may be good to start when lots of family members are available to help. Don’t feel pushed into potty training by other people. Children are individuals. If you force your child you may find potty training a struggle so choose the right time. Create a calm environment. Can you /others spend 10 minutes or more several times a day, and are you prepared to clean up lots of accidents. Everyone needs to know you are potty training your child (nursery staff, grandparents etc.) so they can help you.
Coping with toilet training
Before you start • Once you have started try and keep going. Your child may get confused if you keep stopping. • Try and concentrate on your child being dry in the day before moving on to night-time. • Help your child with words to use so they can let you know when they want to use the potty e.g. wee / poo. This can be done before potty training begins. • Talk about wee’s and poo’s when changing your child’s nappy. Let your child help in changing the nappy. This could include letting them take off their dirty/old nappy and fetching a new clean one, they may even wish to wipe themselves. • Get your child used to having a potty around. Let them play and sit on it, even with their clothes on. This will help their confidence with the potty.
Coping with toilet training • Try to keep the potty within easy reach. You could keep it in the same place so your child can find it quickly. • Place the potty on a firm washable surface. You may wish to avoid rugs and carpets. It also helps to put the potty in a warm comfortable room. • It may be better to start during warm weather when light clothing can be worn. Choosing elasticated waists instead of buttons can help your child learn to remove their own clothes. • Have cleaning aids easily available. This means that any accidents can be cleaned up quickly without fuss.
Coping with toilet training
What next? Take it slowly. Sit your child on the potty at regular intervals. Good times to try are: • First thing when s/he wakes • After meals • Before going out • Before a bath • Before bedtime Try for no more than 5 minutes at a time. Do not force your child to sit if they are not happy. Just leave it until next time. If s/he is upset and refuses to sit it may be that s/he is not ready. You can always wait a few more weeks and try again. It can be weeks before your child does anything in the potty. This is common and quite normal behaviour. Your child can wear nappies or pull-ups when training.
Coping with toilet training
Keep calm Let your child know that you are pleased, even if s/he only sits on the potty. If you are cross or disappointed this could put your child off next time. Try and ignore accidents. Stay calm and patient as accidents may happen many times before your child learns the new skill. Giving comfort and reassurance is what your child needs.
Moving on Once your child becomes more confident in using their potty, you may wish to try taking them out without a nappy on. Try a short visit/ trip first, take the potty and a change of clothes just in case of accidents. Ask your child regularly if they want to use the potty and continue praise and encouragement.
FINALLY Remember most children are dry during the day by the age of three, but night time can take a little longer. It is quite normal for children to wet the bed occasionally even up to the age of seven. If they do try and stay calm and change bed linen without fuss. Try not to offer drinks just before bedtime. You may wake your child through the night to use the toilet. If you do this make sure s/he is fully awake. If you require any more information please contact your health visitor. Details are on the back cover.
