Potty training can be a challenging milestone for both parents and toddlers. It marks a transition from nappies to a potty and often requires a lot of patience and understanding from parents. If you’re in the midst of this adventure with your little one, there are a few effective ways to make this whole process as smooth as possible.
In this blog, we share six essential potty training tips that will help you navigate this journey with ease. From creating a consistent routine to ensuring you’re fully prepared, these potty training tips equip you with everything you need for success. Let’s dive right in.
Tip 1: Make sure your toddler is ready
Before you undertake any sort of training, you need to ensure your toddler is actually ready to do so. Forcing the process before your little one is physically and emotionally prepared can lead to unnecessary struggles and potential setbacks. Luckily, there are some signs that your toddler might be ready for potty training such as:
- They can stay dry for an hour or two, or even wake up dry from a nap.
- Showing interest in the bathroom, toilets, or underwear.
- Telling you they’re about to go or that they have gone.
- Disliking wearing a wet or dirty nappy.
- Trying to pull their nappy off.
It’s important to remember that every toddler is different, and while there’s no magical age to know when to start potty training, the NHS recommends introducing your child to sit on the potty between the ages of 18 months and 2 years old. Some parents choose to start earlier, some may start later, but ultimately it’s all about when your child is ready.
Tip 2: Ensure you’re prepared for potty training
To ensure a successful potty training journey, you must be prepared. This will mean ensuring you have all the necessary tools available, such as the right potty for your toddler. Choosing the right potty can make a world of difference to the whole experience and there are a few things to consider when selecting the right one:
- Make sure it’s comfortable and stable – you want to opt for a potty that sits firmly on the floor and is the right height for your child to sit on comfortably.
- Look out for different designs and features – some potties come with fun colors, designs, built-in splash guards, and even a removable seat that can transition to the adult toilet later.
- Ensure it’s easy to clean – you should always choose a potty that’s simple to clean and disinfect, and has removable parts so they can be thoroughly washed.
As well as that, you might want to invest in some training pants as these can help you manage accidents while making your toddler feel grown up. Having the essentials like plenty of toilet roll, cleaning wipes, and hand wash to encourage your toddler to wash their hands after using the potty, are also key for preparation.
Tip 3: Create a potty training schedule
Once you’ve started the process of potty training, think about creating a schedule that aligns with your toddler’s natural bodily functions, as this can maximise the success of the whole process. You want to ensure you’re consistent with the schedule as it can reinforce the connection between bodily cues and using the potty for your child.
You might want to select certain times of day to encourage your little one to use the potty, such as after waking up, after meals, or before bedtime for example. Or you may want to opt for regular potty breaks throughout the day instead, like every two hours.
Whatever type of schedule you create, sticking to a regular routine helps your toddler get into a habit and anticipate when they need the potty, as well as strengthen their understanding of the process. However, while a consistent schedule provides structure, there may be instances where you’ll need to adjust based on your little one’s cues and needs, so remember to be flexible where needed.
Tip 4: Be patient with challenges
One of our most crucial potty training tips is to be patient with challenges. Potty training is a process that is filled with successes and occasional setbacks. As parents, it’s important to approach this journey with patience and understanding, as this will ensure a positive experience for your child.
Accidents are bound to happen and during these moments, you should try and avoid scolding or punishing your child. Instead, reiterate the importance of using the potty next time. Some key ways to handle accidents include:
- Staying calm – avoid getting angry or frustrated and instead, calmly reassure your child that accidents happen to everyone.
- Clean up quickly and discreetly – don’t make a big deal out of accidents. Simply clean up the mess without any shame or blame.
- Reinforce positive behaviour – remind your child of the proper place to go to the potty and praise them when they do this, even if it’s just them telling you they need to go.
Remember, your child is still learning, so patience and support are key. If you’re finding you’re encountering a lot of challenges, it may be wise to take a break and try again later.
Tip 5: Don’t forget about night-time potty training
While you’re putting all your efforts into a successful daytime potty training schedule, it’s important to not forget about night-time potty training. Night-time potty training helps your child gradually develop bladder control overnight and reduces the chances of bedwetting.
A good place to start is to try and reduce the amount your child drinks before they go to bed, especially an hour or two before their usual bedtime as this can minimise accidents throughout the night. Try and encourage your child to go to the potty before going to bed too, as again, not only can this reduce bedwetting accidents, but it can also embed a habit of using the potty before they go to sleep.
It’s important to remember that night-time potty training can take a bit longer than daytime training, so staying calm and being understanding towards your child is a must, and don’t make them feel ashamed about night-time accidents.
Tip 6: Encourage independence as you progress
As your toddler conquers through all of the potty training milestones, encouraging independence throughout is essential. This empowerment boosts their confidence and helps instil a sense of accomplishment in mastering this new skill.
A couple of ways you can do this is prompting your little one to wash and dry their hands after using the potty, or encouraging them to wipe themselves (offering help when needed of course). You could even turn this aspect into a fun game, or a sing-along for example so they’re more susceptible to taking part and likely to remember certain tasks to complete.
Find out how we can help with potty training
Potty training your toddler can be a challenging yet rewarding experience and we hope our toddler potty training tips will help set the path for success. However, it’s important to remember that every child is different and will progress at their own pace, so being patient, consistent, and supportive is key.
At Stepping Stones, we’re dedicated to providing the best care for your little one. If your child is attending our day nursery and they’re embarking on their potty training journey, we’ll provide a safe and comfortable space for your toddler so they can continue their training habits as if they’re at home. If you’d like to learn more about our nursery, or to book a visit, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
Potty Training Tips FAQs
How do you potty train a stubborn toddler?
Patience and positivity are very important when potty training a stubborn toddler. Try and make it fun with sticker charts or a reward chart for positive behaviour. Turning potty time into a fun game can also make a big difference in participation.
What are the signs that potty training is not working?
If your toddler is showing continuous resistance, is having frequent accidents, or has a lack of progress after several weeks, it might be time to take a break. You can always pick it back up at a later stage, but remember not to force potty training on your child until they’re ready.
How can I make potty training fun and engaging for my toddler?
Throughout the whole process, you can make it a positive and interactive experience by utilising things like sticker charts, games, and songs for example. You may also want to consider choosing a fun potty seat for your little one, or even reading potty training-themed books.