Potty training tips

• Try to change nappies as soon as they are wet or soiled. This teaches your child that it is normal to be clean and dry. ?
• Once your child can stand, do nappy changes standing up and involve them in cleaning up and flushing poo down the toilet. ?
• Leave your child’s nappy off for up to 30 minutes after your child has had a wee or poo. This will help them get used to not wearing it, without having an accident. ?
• If you use disposable nappies you can add a pair of pants under the nappy – this will allow your child to feel wet and be aware.
• Make sure it’s a good time for you as well as your child. It’s best to avoid doing it at a time when there are any big changes or disruptions to your child’s or family’s routine.
• Check that they are passing some soft poo every day and there’s no underlying constipation. If you think your child might be constipated, it's important to sort this out before you stop using nappies. ?
• Make sure your child is drinking enough during the day. Aim for 6 – 8 drinks a day. Water is the best drink but milk in moderation and well-diluted squash is okay too. ?
• Dress your child in clothes that are easy for them to get on and off, so they can take the lead with using the potty. ?
• Encourage boys to sit down on the potty for both wees and poos in the beginning. We empty our bowel and bladder better sitting down and it helps to prevent constipation.

• Just before nap time, help your child use the potty or toilet, so they are more likely to stay dry. ?
• Accidents are common during the first few months. Use a waterproof sheet or similar underneath your child, to protect their sleep area. ?
• Lots of children need to use the potty when they wake so help them to do this.

Research shows that rewards such sticker charts may help your child initially, but they can stop working quickly.

For most children, encouraging and supporting them to be as independent as possible is the best way to motivate them. ?

• Give your child plenty of encouragement and praise their efforts. When your child uses the potty or manages to stay dry, even if it's just for a short time, tell them how pleased you are. ?
• Try to stay calm when accidents happen and do not make a big fuss.
• Give your child the opportunity to do things for themselves as far as possible. This will help them to feel in control, positive and relaxed about the process. ?
• Use favourite toys, books or songs to help them feel comfortable on the potty. ?
• Try to avoid prompting or asking your child too often. Instead, wait until you think they need to go and then direct them gently, for example “it’s toilet time” or “let’s get that wee/poo in the potty!” ?
• Be clear, confident and consistent so your child knows what you are asking them to do.

The main goal of night time training is to teach your child to wake to the sensation of a full bladder and use the potty or toilet as required. The key factor in being dry at night is habit, and this is something you can teach your child.

Just like when you teach your child to learn potty skills for the daytime, you can start teaching your child the skills they will need to be independent from nappies at night as you go along.

Most of the skills your child will need to get into good habits and stay dry at night are things you can start teaching before you stop using nappies. The sooner you start teaching skills, the longer your child will have to learn them.

Some simple things you can do to help your child start learning the skills they will need to be dry at night are: ?

• Ensure they are having adequate fluids in the day. ?
• Help your child drink most of their fluids in the morning and afternoon so that you can reduce what they drink 2 hours prior to bedtime (without reducing their overall fluid intake). ?
• Help your child get into the habit of using a potty at bedtime. ?
• Children who are still bedwetting over the age of 5 should be assessed by your GP.

When you first stop using nappies, it can help to stay at home for a few days, so you can do some one-to-one learning if this is possible.

Using the toilet away from home is a good thing to get your child used to.

Tips to make your first trips out easier to manage: ?

• Don’t forget your potty and spares of everything just in case! ?
• Make trips out short to begin with. ?
• Dress your child in clothes that are easy for them to push down and pull up again. ?
• Avoid putting your child back in a nappy for outings. This will confuse them and undo all that learning.