Toilet Training

Toilet training can be a tricky business and can run smoother for some children than others. Try not to get upset or worried if your child isn't toilet training as early as you hoped as every child is different and although some children are happy and capable of toilet training from 18months others may not be ready until they are as old as 4years old.


When deciding when to potty train it is important to understand when your little one is ready. Ask yourself a few simple questions to help you decide:

Do they complain about sitting in a dirty nappy or let you know when they need to be changed?
Are they capable of recognising when they need to go?
Have they now got longer periods of dryness?
Have they got a desire for independence?
Are they able to walk and sit? and, are they capable fo pulling their own pants up and down?

If you answer yes to all of they above they your child may be ready to toilet train, if not it might not be their time just yet and waiting until they are could save you a lot of unnecessary hassle.

Once you have established that they are ready to toilet train make sure you have all of the right equiptment, a potty where they can stablize themselves with their feet when they have a bowel movement may be best. But, once your child gets used to the toilet a child sized seat is ideal.

Some parents like to use picture books or videos to help explain what is happening and to get the child interested in the toilet. For those who are have their reservations about the potty, try using the my wee friend stickers. When the child wee's in the potty the sticker changes to reveal a smiling, friendly face. Target balls are great for teaching boys how to use the toilet and helps turn going to the toilet into a game.

Try to create a routine. Introduce the potty to your child when they wake up, before they go to the bath or before bed and any other time you think they may need to go. Explain to them how mummy, daddy and older siblings use the toilet. But if they do not seem interested or are frightened do not push it on them.

Show your child where their poo goes. Empty their potty in the toilet and allow them to flush, this will help explain what happens and ecourage them to be become comfortable with the toilet.

Every time that you encourage them to use the potty teach them to undress and redress themselves and wash their hands. This will instill independence in your child and make it more fun for them as they begin to achieve small milestone.

Using training pants is a great way to provide your child with independence whilst also allowing you to have the peace of mind that they will always be protected in the case of an accident. Some parents do not like to use them as the child may see them as just a different type of nappy and may stunt their development but others love them. Again every child is different, so it depends on how they react to them.

When your child has an accident don't discourage them. Just explain to them that they need to let you know when they need the toilet and clean them up. It is a learning curve but they will all get there.

Night time is a lot harder than during the day to toilet train. Many children are not able to wake up when they need to go to the toilet during the night for months if not years after they have been successfully trained during the day. Try not to give them too many liquids close to bedtime, and reassure them that when they do wake up that they can cal on you to help them go to they potty. At night pull up pants and matress protectors can be necessary until your child is fully trained.

Toilet training is a learning curve as I have already said and in some cases children can be trained very easily but it is not the case for every child. Remember to be reassuring and try not to stress over it if it does not go to plan.