Potty training certainly isn’t one of the simplest challenges that parenthood presents us with but with a few tips from those of us that have successfully weaned our toddlers out of nappies and into knickers, it can certainly become a little less daunting!
The most common dilemmas regarding potty training seem to be how to spot when the time is right to begin training, how to start the process and how to cope when you have to go out the front door.
Some key advice for those debating the first question is not to start potty training your child too early. If you try when they are too young, you could be setting yourself up for a long and painful process. Ideally, your child should be able to recognise and tell you that they need to go to the toilet and, to avoid endless accidents, have the ability to hold on long enough to reach the potty. They may also start to dislike the feeling of a wet nappy. Most children reach this stage between the ages of two and three years - a few parents do manage to train their children before this age but it often involves the constant asking of the question, “Do you need the toilet?” The length of time a younger child can ‘hang on’ is also extremely short and so leads to frantic dashes around the house to reach the potty in time. If you can wait until they are just that little bit older, the exercise magically becomes easier, quicker and certainly less stressful for all concerned!
Once you think you are approaching the right time for training, buy a couple of potties and introduce your little one to them! Explain what they are for and place one upstairs and one downstairs, so there is always one in easy reach. Sit your child on the potty from time to time to get them used to it and talk about how grown up they are becoming. (Both boys and girls should sit on the potty to start with – boys can progress to standing up later on!) Suggest that perhaps they would like to start telling you when they need the toilet and then try using the potty instead of their nappy. It’s worth noting that the mention of wearing big boy or girl pants (and a special shopping trip to buy some) is usually a good incentive to kids to start taking an interest in the potty!
Take the nappy off your little one when you are at home and possibly even let them run around without anything at all on the bottom half (hence why many people choose to potty train in the Summer). This saves having to get anything ‘out of the way’ which wastes vital seconds in the early days, once the urge to go has been expressed. If clothes are being worn, make sure these are loose and easy to pull down – there’s nothing worse than seeing a toddler struggle with zips and buttons when they’re desperate to sit on the potty.
Once you start getting results in the potty, give your child plenty of praise! On the other hand, don’t get angry when accidents happen – there are bound to be a few and these should be thought of as part of the child’s learning process. Simply stay calm, clear up and ask them to try and give you a little more warning or get to the potty just a little earlier next time.
Don’t fall into the trap of letting your child fall asleep for a daytime nap without a nappy on as this is almost certain to result in accidents. Remove the nappy as soon as they wake up, taking them to the potty on the way. And certainly don’t worry about attempting to leave the nappy off at night until a year or more after they have mastered the art of staying dry in the day. A sign that they are ready for night-time training is when you consistently have dry nappies in the morning.
Now for the question of how to tackle taking your child out and about while you’re in the process of potty training. This can be tricky and a little stressful, particularly in the early stages, as you are frequently going to be some way from a toilet when you hear those words, “I need the loo!” There are however a couple of products that are well worth investing in to help with trips to the shops or journeys in the car. Firstly, pull up trainer pants are great. Children generally like them as they look and feel like ‘real pants’ but will absorb any accidents, saving embarrassment in the supermarket aisle! Slip them on before the trip and remove them as soon as you are back. Don’t treat them like nappies as such, as you want your child to understand that they shouldn’t ‘go’ in them unless they have to – always use a potty or toilet if one is available or in reach. Made by the major nappy brands and found in all large supermarkets and chemists, pull up trainer pants can be a little pricey but hopefully won’t be needed for too long.
Another is the 2in1 Potette Plus, as this will definitely help with trips out. This is a sturdy and compact travel potty that also becomes a toilet trainer seat - very handy once your little one moves on from the potty and onto the toilet. Perfect for taking on holiday, visits to friends and family, trips to the park or even the shops, the Potette Plus folds neatly and compactly so is convenient for travel and storage.
Stored in its own hygienic carry bag, the Potette Plus can be popped into your own bag and when needed, the legs simply unfold to make it a full-size potty. The absorbent liners are fragranced and so slim that three can be stored on the Potette Plus at once, ready for urgent use! Once used, the special absorbent pad in the liner turns liquid to gel – making it easy to dispose of with no mess.
When your child is ready to move onto the next stage of toilet training, the Potette Plus cleverly turns into trainer seat. The sturdy potty legs convert into handles for the folding trainer seat, which is non-slip, comfortable and suitable for any toilet seat – particularly useful for public toilet seats and again, also great for taking to friends, family or simply for use when at home.
In fact, it’s useful to know that this folding potty is so strong that it is sturdy enough for older ones and even adults to use in a real emergency!
Also consider using a Sheet & Mattress Protector. Designed to be laid on top of the bed sheet, the Protector cuts down the discomfort caused by accidents by absorbing moisture quickly and preventing the sheet from getting wet. The Sheet & Mattress Protector will withstand hundreds of hot washes and the waterproof vinyl backing is guaranteed to never crack. A very handy product that avoids you having to strip the bed in the middle of the night! It also folds up compactly and so is easy to take on holiday or for sleepovers.
And finally, if the potty training isn’t going well, do not worry about it! Perhaps have a break and delay the training for a week or two – just remember, all children get there in the end!
The 2in1 Potette and Sheet and Mattress Protector are available from Bibs and Stuff on 01293 774924 or visit www.bibsandstuff.com
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