Your child will need to be physically ready to control their bladder and bowels at the same time as wanting to be clean and dry. They will also need to be able to understand basic instructions about using the potty or toilet.
It can be hard to know when to start potty training. Keeping an eye out for the common signs of potty training readiness will give you a better idea of when to try it. Wait until your child is showing the following signs of readiness and you’ll find potty training easier, with less accidents.
1. Your child has dry nappies for at least an hour or two at a time.
2. They understand when they are having a wee and may tell you they’re doing one.
3. They recognise when they have a wet or dirty nappy and may pull at it, take it off or ask you to change it.
4. There may be visible signs your child needs to go to the toilet, like fidgeting or going somewhere quiet or hidden.
5. They know when they need to wee and may say so in advance.
Potty training is usually quicker if your child is already at the last stage – knowing when they need a wee – when they start potty training. That plus waiting to get to the right place might make potty training very quick
You might find your child starts to take more of an interest when you, your partner or older brothers or sisters go to the toilet. If so, let them see what happens and talk them through the process.
Make sure your little one always washes their hands after going to the toilet. It’s also good to teach girls from an early age how important wiping from front to back is. Learning to use the potty or toilet is a major milestone in your child’s growing up and it can take time. It’s important to praise them for any successes.
It’ll happen, your child will have a potty training accident at some point. When it happens, stay calm, reassure them that these things can happen, and help get them clean and dry. Staying calm means your little one is less likely to worry next time they try to use the potty.
Pirate Pete’s Potty: Potty Training for Boys is an entertaining video that helps parents struggling with baby potty training for boys aged 18+ months. Clear, informative and fun pictures are aimed at tackling the common anxieties that children may have about using the potty or toilet.
