Potty training tips from community nursery nurse

Tips for potty training from Andrex and Community Nursery nurse Elaine Cook

Knowing when your child is ready

Is your child ready, have they got bladder and bowel control? Does your child have a dry nappy after several hours and knows when it has a wet or dirty nappy?

Does your child tug or try to remove its nappy regulalry or signs when something has happened and wants to do something about it?

Potty training needs time and effort. Start when there are no big changes in family life such as holidays, moving house or the birth of a new baby. Spring or summer tends to be easier when children wear fewer clothes.

First Steps

1. Introduce the potty, tell them what it’s for with simple words. Some children prefer to use a toilet right from the start.

2. Leave nappies off. There are bound to be “accidents” but this will help you to see how long they can last before they wet or soil. You will also be able to tell whether they know when they need to go.

3. Encourage them to sit on the potty or toilet, however, don’t persist if your child is reluctant. Try and get them to sit on the potty for a short time – five minutes at the most. Talk and reassure them. Also, some children prefer the use of a trainer seat for the toilet.

4. Take it slowly, it may take several days or weeks till they actually do anything on the potty. This is common and quite normal.

5. Once they sit on the potty for short periods you can start to sit them on it four or five times a day, for about five minutes. Lots of praise and encouragement will give the right clues to continue to use the potty or toilet when needed.