When did you get out of nappies?
It’s a bit like, at what age did you learn to read, ride a bike and how many GCSEs do you have? Nobody asks you when you are a grown up because, quite frankly, after a while, it doesn’t matter.

Potty training is one of those things that its very easy to hung up about – it seems as though we have to give ourselves these times of angst at regular intervals especially when we have young children.; potty training will be followed by, is he dry at night? Can he count to 10? Can he write his name? Important milestones, yes, but not ones to have sleepless nights over.

As with so many baby and toddler issues, peer group pressure and competition (amongst parents) is unavoidable; you’ll be at your local toddler group and some immaculate mummy will chirp up that her little darling is out of nappies and she’s not 2 for another 3 months. Oh, hurrah! If there is a god, that same child will be the “biter” whom nobody likes…

Joking apart; as with most baby and toddler milestones, there are many ways to approach potty training. The bottom line (ha ha) is that you, the parent should not get stressed and your child should be positively encouraged – there is no room for negativity here.

At what age should I try potty training?
Some advice suggests that there isn’t any point in trying to potty train your toddler before the age of 18 months as they don’t have voluntary control over either bowel movements or urination.

Many parents find that boys are slower to adapt to life without nappies than girls. This can of course depend on where the boy is in sibling hierarchy and what sort of boy you have. Those busy, action boys who don’t sit still for 2 minutes are often unaware of what their body is doing whereas a quiet child who sits and plays will often be more sensitive to what is going on.

Probably the major factor to consider is “what else is going on in the family?” You should choose a time when you can have some routine, when you are not over-worked and when you can remain calm!

It’s much easier to try potty training during the summer as your child can easily wear just a skirt or loose shorts or run around in the garden with nothing on.

When should I wait?
Try and avoid times of upheaval for your child such as:

• the arrival of a new baby in the family


• starting a new childcare arrangement


• moving from a cot to a bed


• moving house


• family relationship problems


• when a family member is ill

Don’t become a potty training bore
Just because potty training may be the main focus for you and your child for a couple of weeks, it doesn’t mean that anyone else will be remotely interested in hearing about it – especially your childless friends! Praise your child for performing on the potty but you don’t need to broadcast the result to all and sundry.

Afford your child a little dignity; if you have a rather slow-starter and are still helping your nearly-three year old to stay dry, give them a little privacy and don’t expect them to sit on a potty in the middle of a room or in full view of passers by beside the car – children this age can become quite embarrassed.

Some tips to help with daytime potty training

• Be positive and upbeat


• Buy a potty a few weeks before you plan for your child to use it; keep it in the bathroom next to the loo.


• Sit on the loo yourself whilst your toddler sits on the potty.


• Let your child choose the new pants he will wear when he is out of nappies.


• Give lots of praise whenever your child manages to perform on the potty: stress how grown up and clever he is.


• Don't rush things. Sometimes if you start teaching later, it takes less time.


• Try and be consistent so your child knows what is expected.


• Expect setbacks on the way to success.


• Dress your toddler in clothes that can be pulled up or down easily; no fiddly buttons or zips. Dungaree straps can really get in the way and are almost impossible for your toddler to manage himself. Training pants can be useful at first, to cope with those inevitable accidents.


• Never force your child to sit on the potty.


• Do your best not to be angry with your child if he has an accident.

Nappy-free nights

Most children will still not be dry at night despite being so during the day. It can take a long time and boys are especially slow to be dry at night. You will have to persevere; it’s not unusual to find bed-wetters of 7 or 8. Some parents “lift” their child and sit them on the loo before they themselves go the bed.

• Use a good Bed Protector and always have a spare to hand.


• Use a washable duvet or protect it with a waterproof cover.


• Ensure that your child goes to the loo before going to bed.


• Don’t give your child a drink before bedtime.


• Try not to get bothered about the amount of washing you have!

Potties and trainer seats

There are all sorts of gadgets and gizmos on the market. Potties to sit on, removable trainer seats to fit over your loo and training seats which you affix permanently to your loo.

Choosing a potty; it needs to be comfortable for your child to sit on and very easy to clean. Some potties are so fussy and are literally all-singing and all dancing. The potty should be something for your child to pee in not play with, so go for simplicity.
Training seats can make the “big loo” a little less daunting for small children but your child does have to get used to sitting on a normal loo seat in other people’s homes and when out. A step stool can be very useful to help your child reach both the loo and also the basin to wash their hands; make sure that it’s sturdy so that it doesn’t slip and that it’s washable.

The yucky bits
Make sure your little boy’s willy is in the potty or the loo otherwise it acts rather like a little hose pipe. This can be tricky first thing in the morning when it may be standing to attention; be gentle.

Discourage your child from trying to empty their own potty; it will end up on the floor and it’s not nice to clean up!

Be rigorous about hand washing – squirty soap is always popular with little children.

It may be worth having some of those disposable cleaning wipes on hand to wipe the loo seat as you will invariably have drips.

Good luck. It’s a bit like giving birth, when its over, you forget the worst bits…..