Helpful Hints When Potty/Toilet Training

Toilet training can often be a stressful time, but it is an important milestone for every child. It helps to increase a child’s independence as well as their self-esteem. Developing toileting skills can take some time. Consistency helps to support your child’s learning.

Indications that your child is ready to attempt potty/ toilet training:

• They are aware of performing (wet and/ or soiled).
• They can remain dry/clean for at least two hours.
• There are signs of interest in the toilet.
• There is a regular pattern to wetting/ soiling.

Potty/ Toilet Training Tips:

• Make sure your child is not overwhelmed by just being in the bathroom; begin to see if they want to sit on the potty/ toilet.
• Start potty/ toilet training at home.
• It may be good to start toilet training on a weekend with at least two adults to help out.
• Recommended time is every 1 to 1.5 hours, dependent on your child’s bladder capacity.
• Prepare your child. Tell them you are going to work on this all day so they know what to expect and make it exciting.
• Talk about the potty/ toilet, read potty/ toilet books.
• If your child is comfortable being in the bathroom, make sure their feet are supported and there’s a toilet seat so they won’t feel like they will fall in.
• Bring toys, music etc when going to potty/ toilet to make it fun.
• Reward your child for trying in the beginning.
• If your child has an accident – don’t overreact or discipline them.

Where to start:

• Start with pee pee or wee wee.
• Take them straight to the potty/ toilet as soon as they wake up.
• Keep them on a schedule. As recommended above take your child to the potty/ toilet every 1.5 hours/ 1 hour unless they have had food or drink then take them to the potty/ toilet after 15-20 minutes.
• Warm up the toilet seat if they are big enough to sit on it.

What to do:

• Take them to the potty after waking up.
• Once your child has actually been to the potty/ toilet – give them a reward. Go through the steps with them. Get them to flush, wash and dry hands and celebrate.
• Then keep them busy, playing, and drinking as much as they want. Try to avoid sedentary activities such as screen time or reading books.
• This time it may take longer but keep giving them fluids. Set a timer for 15-20 minutes and then take them back into the bathroom and sit until they void (pee) again (read a story or play with the iPad while sitting).
• After they have peed again – reward them, praise them, celebrate and then keep them up and moving and playing.
• They can stand still, or squat a little to play but you HAVE TO WATCH if they have an accident, take them straight to the toilet and say calmly, “this is where we pee pee” or something to that effect.
• If you don’t notice improvement after a few days, stop and try again a couple of months later.

This method doesn’t work for everyone, but it may work for your child.