Getting started with toilet training

So you’ve noticed a few signs and think your little one may be old enough to start the toilet training process? This blog will aim to give you a few hints and tips to try and make this milestone a little easier. 

It’s important to keep the process positive and avoid it becoming stressful for any of you. Avoid getting started if you have a big change coming, such as a new baby, house move or starting nursery.  If they’re even slightly upset, put the nappy back on and try again in a few weeks.  

Signs of readiness 

Your child needs to be physically ready before you think about potty training. That means they need to be able to sit on the potty or toilet and get up again when they’re finished. If you plan to use a toilet with a toddler seat, make sure they have a step to rest their feet on. This will help them to feel more stable, otherwise they may feel like they could fall in! For a toddler this can be quite scary! 
 
Signs to look out for: 

• If they can stay dry for an hour or two this shows that their bladder has developed some control. 
• They may tell you when they are doing a wee or poo.   
• You might notice that they go somewhere quiet or stop what they’re doing. 

They might not be able to tell you when they’ve done a wee as it can be hard for a child to recognise the feeling of being wet when wearing a disposable nappy. Placing a tissue inside the nappy can help to teach them what this feels like, as the tissue will stay wet.  

Preparing for toilet training 

You can start to get your child ready for toilet training so that it’s not such a surprise when the time comes:  

• Say what you’re doing when you change their nappy, “you’ve done a wee, let’s put a clean, dry nappy on” 
• Change nappies in the bathroom – this is where we do our toileting business 
• Change them standing up 
• Encourage them to flush away poo  
• Get them to wash their hands after a nappy change 

• Look at a book about potty training together, there are lots of books aimed at toddlers with lots of pictures 
• Let them see what you do; children learn by copying and they need to see what’s normal 

Once you feel they’re ready, buy some pants and go for it! If you’re able, it’s fun for your toddler to be involved and go with you to choose their first underpants. 

Don’t confuse them by putting a nappy on when you’re out and about – just take a potty/travel potty with you. If you’re going out and about in the car it’s a good idea to put a towel down on their car seat to protect it. 

Accept that there will be accidents. They will forget sometimes but don’t worry. Perhaps set a reminder to yourself to remind them every 30 minutes or so. Allow them to get involved in cleaning up any mess and getting changed.  

Praise them every step along the way and you should notice that they’re getting there within a week or two. It's a good idea to avoid rewarding with sweets but a sticker chart is a great incentive.

Night time wetting  

Toddlers often don’t produce the hormone needed to prevent them producing urine at night time, so they will continue to need nappies overnight for some time.  Watch out for a dry nappy when they wake and encourage them to sit on the potty when they get up.  Don’t rush it, you’ll know when they’re ready to start going to bed without a nappy.  

Worried about getting started? 

If you’ve noticed all the signs that your child is ready, it might be easier than you think. Each child is different but most children will be ready between two and three years old.  Remember to: 

• Take it slowly 
• Be patient 
• Praise your child 
• Stay consistent 

Try not to feel pressured because family or friends are asking whether they’re toilet trained yet, and don’t compare to others. You know your child best!   

For more information, take a look at the NHS pages on toilet training and visit our toilet training support and advice page.

Questions about toilet training? Use our anonymous form to ask us and we’ll post our answers in a blog on Friday.