Here are some things you should consider when you are thinking about starting to potty train your child;-
• Get the right equipment. Getting the right equipment for potty training is always a good start. A child-sized potty or a special seat to attach to your regular toilet is a must. Whichever you choose, make sure your child can sit comfortably.
• Extra help. You may also want to buy a picture book or video all about potty training that you can look over with your child. That way, you’ll both be prepared for the training ahead.
• Time it right. Pick a period when you have plenty of time on your hands and be consistent – don’t chop and change from nappies to underpants during the day. If your child’s just about to start nursery, you’ve just moved house, you’re going on holiday, you’ve just had another baby or you’re going through any other upset it’s probably best to leave potty training until things are less hectic.
• Let your child one set the pace. If you know when your child is likely to want to use the potty, encourage them to sit down. But make sure he/she feels that they’ve made the choice – you’ll know by now that your child likes to feel in control.
• Create a routine. Try sitting your tot fully clothed on the potty seat once a day – after breakfast, before bath time, or whenever else suits you both. This will allow your tot to get used to the potty and accept it as part of the daily routine. If he or she doesn't want to sit on the potty, that's okay. Don’t force the matter. Put the potty away for now and try again in a month’s time.
• Be prepared… If you live in a two storey house, keep a potty upstairs and one downstairs. Be sure to have a potty with you when you’re out and about. It’s a good idea to keep one in the car too and to take a set of spare clothes out with you.
• Be prepared… for accidents! Lots of accidents are par for the course at first. If your tot has an accident, change him or her straight away and calmly encourage use of the potty or toilet next time. Your child may start having accidents again, after a period of thinking you had it sorted, if he or she is tired or busy. Just deal with it calmly as before.
• Encourage your little one with praise. As always, praise is your child’s best teacher so say something like ‘Well done’, ‘You were a big boy or girl to use the potty’ when your child uses the pot. But don’t make too big a thing of it. For example, don’t reward your tot with food or toys. Ignore the odd lapse and never tell your child off for failing to use the potty or having an accident.
• Don’t hang about. At first, when you child needs to go they need to go now, so don’t ignore it when the call comes. As your tot gets older, he or she will be able to wait longer.
• Make it easy on yourself. The summer months can be an easier time to try potty training, as your little one can run around without nappies. Make a note of when your child goes to the toilet so you can pick the best times of day to suggest using it.
• Get the clothes right. You don’t want to spend ages changing your toddler’s clothes, so make sure what he or she is wearing is easy to remove. You can try using training pants. Some toddlers like them, while others just think of them as a different type of nappy (which is confusing). Most toddlers are encouraged by having real underwear instead: it makes them feel grown up.
• Get the right equipment. Getting the right equipment for potty training is always a good start. A child-sized potty or a special seat to attach to your regular toilet is a must. Whichever you choose, make sure your child can sit comfortably.
• Extra help. You may also want to buy a picture book or video all about potty training that you can look over with your child. That way, you’ll both be prepared for the training ahead.
• Time it right. Pick a period when you have plenty of time on your hands and be consistent – don’t chop and change from nappies to underpants during the day. If your child’s just about to start nursery, you’ve just moved house, you’re going on holiday, you’ve just had another baby or you’re going through any other upset it’s probably best to leave potty training until things are less hectic.
• Let your child one set the pace. If you know when your child is likely to want to use the potty, encourage them to sit down. But make sure he/she feels that they’ve made the choice – you’ll know by now that your child likes to feel in control.
• Create a routine. Try sitting your tot fully clothed on the potty seat once a day – after breakfast, before bath time, or whenever else suits you both. This will allow your tot to get used to the potty and accept it as part of the daily routine. If he or she doesn't want to sit on the potty, that's okay. Don’t force the matter. Put the potty away for now and try again in a month’s time.
• Be prepared… If you live in a two storey house, keep a potty upstairs and one downstairs. Be sure to have a potty with you when you’re out and about. It’s a good idea to keep one in the car too and to take a set of spare clothes out with you.
• Be prepared… for accidents! Lots of accidents are par for the course at first. If your tot has an accident, change him or her straight away and calmly encourage use of the potty or toilet next time. Your child may start having accidents again, after a period of thinking you had it sorted, if he or she is tired or busy. Just deal with it calmly as before.
• Encourage your little one with praise. As always, praise is your child’s best teacher so say something like ‘Well done’, ‘You were a big boy or girl to use the potty’ when your child uses the pot. But don’t make too big a thing of it. For example, don’t reward your tot with food or toys. Ignore the odd lapse and never tell your child off for failing to use the potty or having an accident.
• Don’t hang about. At first, when you child needs to go they need to go now, so don’t ignore it when the call comes. As your tot gets older, he or she will be able to wait longer.
• Make it easy on yourself. The summer months can be an easier time to try potty training, as your little one can run around without nappies. Make a note of when your child goes to the toilet so you can pick the best times of day to suggest using it.
• Get the clothes right. You don’t want to spend ages changing your toddler’s clothes, so make sure what he or she is wearing is easy to remove. You can try using training pants. Some toddlers like them, while others just think of them as a different type of nappy (which is confusing). Most toddlers are encouraged by having real underwear instead: it makes them feel grown up.
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