When your tot’s around 18 months buy a comfortable, broad-based potty and let her sit on it for fun – before bath time is a good time starting point. Tell her what it’s for, and if she does anything in it, give her lots of praise. Never force your tot to sit on the potty though, especially if she seems scared.
2. Get your timing right
Most toddlers are ready for potty training some time after their second birthday, but many may be three or even four. Watch for signs she’s ready, like copying your toilet habits, showing an understanding of when she’s wet and telling you she’s been, but don’t push her. When you’re ready to start explain what you’re going to do and maybe read a book together about potty training, to help her understand.
3. Bare that bottom
Start by leaving her training pants off for a while. Try this one morning or afternoon when you’re at home, and explain it’s because she is learning how to use the potty – having a bare bottom will make it easier for her to get to the potty in time. Sit her on the potty now and then, and praise her if she goes.
4. Little habits
Try to get into a regular routine of when you sit her on the potty – after each meal is a good starting point. Continue with these sessions and if your child does a poo at more or less the same time every day, get her to sit on the potty at that time, explaining and reminding her what it’s for. If her habits aren’t regular, watch out for the signs that she’s about to ‘go’ (reddening face, concentrated look, standing still) and quickly put her on the potty.
5. Ask nicely
Once your tot’s familiar with the potty, and using it occasionally, start asking her if he needs to go - but don’t nag! Help to increase her sense of independence by reducing the number of times you decide to put her on the potty, encouraging her to tell you when she needs to go. Training pants will help her to know when she’s wet, so she can start to recognise the signals for herself.
6. Bye bye nappies, hello potty!
When she’s clean and dry most days, you can start to use training pants only at night. She’ll probably still have a few accidents, but the extra absorbency will mean no wet beds! Remember it could take another few months before she’s totally dry at night.
Back to Potty Training
|
