How to make Potty Training a Triumph

Embarking on potty-training with your little one can be both exciting and challenging. The team here at Baby Accessories have put together some potty-training tips and advice to help overcome those challenges and make this milestone a smooth and successful adventure.

Start at the right time

Timing is everything when starting to potty train your child. Begin potty training when they start to show sign of readiness. Once they express curiosity about the toilet or when they have been staying dry for longer periods, you might consider toilet training. This usually happens sometime between 18 months old and 3 years of age, and each child is different. Patience is key here. It is important not to force potty training as this may cause setbacks. At the same time don’t delay the process if your child is showing readiness. Taking nappies off for a short time each day will encourage them to enjoy that freedom and want to be completely diaper free!

Create a routine

Establishing a consistent potty routine will help your child to understand when it's time to go and will get them used to the sensations of potty time. Try making it a habit after meals, upon waking up and just before bedtime. Kids love routines and the consistency will help to build their confidence.

Stock up on essentials

Make certain that you have all you need for comfortable and child-friendly potty-training. Shop together here at Baby Accessories for everything you might need to make the move away from nappies a more exciting and happy experience, as you choose everything from portable potties, toddler toilet seats to training pants. It is important that your little one feels secure and relaxed during toilet training. We love the Potette Plus Portable Potty & Trainer Seat which is designed to make travelling easier, during potty-training. This was clearly designed by a parent who knew that every car journey would be interrupted with a plaintive cry for the potty, two minutes after you leave the house! This handy potty folds flat for easy transportation and comes with absorbent liners that can be disposed of easily. If home potty time, we recommend the Baby Bjorn Smart Potty – it comes in a variety of colours and is designed with a convenient inner potty that can be easily removed and cleaned.

Celebrate every success

Expect accidents and setbacks and try to stay positive, even on the days when the washing machine is groaning, and your child is wearing the last weird pair of clean dry trousers in the house! Each victory, big or small is reason to celebrate. Now is not the time to consider your past single life and wonder that you would ever be so thrilled at someone else’s body functions! It’s time for encouragement and positive reinforcement that will go a long way in helping to boost your child's confidence. Consider a potty-training reward chart with fun stickers to help make potty time fun and rewarding. In no time, you will both be literally ‘flushed’ with success.

Accidents will happen!

Transform potty time into an enjoyable experience by introducing engaging books or games. A favourite story or a fun eye spy can be used as a distraction while the little one is sitting on the potty or loo, making the experience more enjoyable. But when the inevitable accidents happen, it’s important to reassure your child and to avoid making a big deal out of it.

Encourage independence - from potty to big toilet

When your little one starts getting the hang of the toilet training routine, you can teach them to flush the loo, to wash their hands and eventually progress to using the regular toilet. The advantages are of course, a handy flush, no potty emptying and no likelihood of someone kicking a full potty over. Some children like the potty and will graduate to the big toilet in their own time, and this may take time. The toilet can seem big and intimidating to a toddler - other children like the big loo. With the toilet trainer that fits under the toilet seat and some study little steps to keep feet steady while on the big loo, the transition from potty to regular toilet can go a lot smoother.

Take a look at our step stools which are available in both double and single step and have rubber stoppers on the legs for extra safety.

Dry Nights

It is normal for children to be dry during the day for a long time before they have bladder control at night. A night nappy is something that you will both accept as part of your world until one magical morning when the nappy will be dry. Again, it’s not something you can or should force. At least if you are having successful toilet training during the day, you know that those complete dry nights will eventually happen. 

Every child is different and unfortunately, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to potty training. Celebrate the wins, learn from the setbacks and enjoy this special milestone with your little one. No more nappies will become your new joint mantra!