成人快手

There are lots of practical tips and tricks to help you get your little one out of nappies and into pants 鈥 and good communication is key, says Alina Lynden, Communications Manager at

鈥淲e tend to assume potty training will go naturally because it鈥檚 a bodily function, but it takes time and can be stressful. Communication is very important at all stages; things can go wrong, so it鈥檚 a good idea to make it as relaxed and as fun as possible.鈥

The first thing to remember is that every child is different, adds Alina. 鈥淭hey learn to walk and talk at different times and learn how to use the toilet at different times too. However, most children are ready to be potty trained between 18 months and 3 years old.鈥

1. Start chatting about wee and poo early (even if you feel uncomfortable)

It鈥檚 never too early to start talking to your children about wee and poo, says Alina. 鈥淵ou might feel squeamish but they need to know that it鈥檚 a natural thing that we all do, so starting building it into your everyday chats, particularly when you鈥檙e nappy changing.鈥

And be positive. 鈥淭his starts with avoiding any phrases like dirty and smelly because you don鈥檛 want your child to associate the toilet with anything negative. Say 鈥榦h look you鈥檝e done a poo鈥 rather than 鈥榶uck, your nappy is stinky鈥.鈥

If they have a younger sibling, maybe they can help with their nappy changes.

A child's legs as they sit on a training potty.
Image caption,
You might feel squeamish but children need to know going to the loo is a natural thing that we all do.

2. Prepare your child

Help your child feel comfortable with the idea of their bodily functions and the potty too, says Alina. 鈥淩ead picture books about potty training together and have a potty in the house you can use for role play with teddies.鈥

Remember that young children learn by watching and copying, which means you may have to leave any inhibitions at the toilet door. 鈥淪how them you do wees and poos too: leave the toilet door open and ask family members to do the same,鈥 says Alina. 鈥淜eep nappies in the toilet and change your child in there, so they associate wees and poos with that room. And when they鈥檙e a little older, get them involved with changing their nappies: change them standing up, get them to help with their clothing and clean your hands together afterwards.鈥

And plan a reward system early on, adds Alina. 鈥淚t could be a sticker chart or lucky dip bag that celebrates every little step towards potty training, like getting dressed or washing their hands.鈥

3. Watch for signs they鈥檙e ready

鈥淚f you鈥檝e already talked to your child about wee and poo then they should feel comfortable with the subject, and in tune with the signals,鈥 says Alina.

鈥淧hysical signs include your child passing soft poo at around the same time every day, being able to hold their wee for about 90 minutes to two hours and being able to sit down on the potty and get back up again,鈥 explains Alina.

And showing an awareness that they鈥檝e done a wee or poo. 鈥淲hen they start to notice, it means they鈥檙e beginning to recognise the signals their body is giving them,鈥 explains Alina. Try the to help them understand the difference between being wet and dry. 鈥淭his is where you put a sheet of folded-up kitchen roll in their nappy, which lets your child experience a wet feeling. They don鈥檛 get this with super-absorbent nappies, plus it gives you a chance to see how long they can stay dry for,鈥 explains Alina.

Bringing poo and wee into normal family conversation can help them to understand their body. 鈥淔or example, prime pooing time for the body is 20 to 30 minutes after a meal. So, after they鈥檝e had lunch say something like: 鈥楲et鈥檚 go and sit on the potty and see if there鈥檚 a poo there.鈥欌

4. 鈥 but make sure you鈥檙e ready too

Potty training needs to happen at a time that鈥檚 good for you too. But when鈥檚 a good time? 鈥淏asically, when you can devote lots of time and effort to it,鈥 says Alina. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e moving house or there鈥檚 a new baby on the way, it鈥檚 probably not ideal.鈥

鈥淚t's tough because parents have very busy lives. But the more pressure there is, the less likely it's going to go well because the key thing about releasing wee and poo is that you need to feel relaxed. And if you鈥檙e feeling stressed-out and angry, it鈥檚 not the best environment for your child.鈥

A mum and her toddler daughter in the bathroom together.
Image caption,
Potty training needs to happen at a time that鈥檚 good for you too.

5. Talk openly with other adults in your life

Consistency and routine are key, so it鈥檚 really important that all the adults in your little one鈥檚 life are on the same page, says Alina.

鈥淥nce you鈥檝e decided that it鈥檚 the right time, then talk to everyone who your child spends time with and let them know where you鈥檙e up to with potty training. Whether your child spends time with your in-laws, they鈥檝e started at nursery or they stay with their dad at weekends, everyone needs to give your child a consistent message.鈥

Get them onboard with your reward chart, ask them to use the same words like wee or pee and follow the same routine. 鈥淭he other benefit of chatting to all these people is that they can support you too: there will be times you need to call in help,鈥 adds Alina.

6. Be positive

鈥淚t鈥檚 not something you can do overnight and there will be accidents but it鈥檚 really important to remember 鈥 through all the ups and downs 鈥 that once you've done it, it's amazing,鈥 says Alina.

When there鈥檚 poo squished into the carpet, you鈥檙e unlikely to feel particularly upbeat. 鈥淭ry not to make a fuss about these incidents. Be prepared for them and remember that the whole thing about accidents is that this is how kids learn.鈥

To keep your child motivated, praise every achievement and use humour. 鈥淜ids naturally find poo and wee funny, so tap into that to lighten the mood,鈥 says Alina. 鈥淐hildren love animals, so you could talk about their toilet habits. Singing and games around potty training are also a great idea. It鈥檒l help your children feel calmer and laughing also helps us physically by engaging the muscles we need to push a poo out.鈥

7. Tailor your approach

鈥淐hildren with a disability or additional needs can鈥檛 always communicate their thoughts and feelings, so to tell you when they鈥檙e ready to potty train,鈥 explains Alina. 鈥淭he vast majority of children can be toilet trained; it just might take a bit longer sometimes. The important thing is to support potty training with the signs, sounds or words that your child can use and understand and let their bladder and bowel readiness lead the way. Use to help.鈥

A little boy holding a loo roll.
Image caption,
The vast majority of children can be toilet trained; it just might take a bit longer sometimes.

8. Plan well for night-time training

Staying positive is key once again. Do some preparation together and watch for signs of readiness, says Alina. 鈥淭hey might wake up dry or have a lighter nappy. They might also ask not to wear a bedtime nappy or take it off during the night. Or wake you up in the night to ask to help them go to the loo.鈥

Keep chatting openly. 鈥淓xplain to them what they鈥檒l need to do in the night once they鈥檙e no longer wearing a nappy. Try simple things like placing a potty in their bedroom and encourage them to practise getting from their bed to it. Putting a gentle night light by the bed will make it easier for them to find their way. And be ready for accidents: have fresh pyjamas and bedding ready.鈥

If you are worried about night-time wetting, check out our advice from an early year's educator on when to speak to your GP.

9. Ignore the myths鈥 and pressures

There are lots of myths around potty training that are best ignored. 鈥淎 common one is that boys are harder to potty train than girls. It comes up a lot but there鈥檚 no evidence to show it鈥檚 true,鈥 says Alina.

And try not to feel pressured by other parents鈥 potty-training boasts. 鈥淔ocus on your child and remember that you know them better than anyone else.鈥

Visit more tips and resources on potty training.

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