Potty training is one of the tasks that parents often dread. Knowing when to do it and how best to help your child can be tricky, so if you’re unsure of when to give it a go, read on for some helpful suggestions.

 

Knowing when your child is ready is a key issue and something parents often worry about. The majority of children have begun to use a potty by the time they’re two years old. But all children are different and develop at different rates, so don’t panic if your child is not quite this advanced yet.

 

In general, your child will take to it when they’re ready, so there’s no need to rush then. However, it still helps to know exactly when you can start trying to get them trained so, as a rough guide, your child should be ready if:

 

 

It’s a good idea to avoid attempting potty training if any other changes are or have recently occurred. For example, if a family member has recently been ill, you’ve moved house, a new baby has arrived, he’s started with a new childcare provider or has just moved up to a bigger cot or bed, then leave it for a while until he’s got over any disruption caused by that event.

 

 

If your child meets the above criteria and you’re think they’re ready to have a go, it’s time to go potty shopping. Children like to be involved in this, so take your child along and let them help choose it – it definitely helps if they like the look and colour of their potty and if it’s comfortable for them to sit on. If they want to put stickers on it or even draw on it, then let them go ahead, as it’s their own special potty.

 

There are various children’s stories centred around potty training and it’s helpful to read some with your child. The pictures help gear them up to what it’s like to sit on a potty and it will become a more familiar object to them. Keep the potty in the bathroom and encourage your child to just sit on it from time to time. If he’s got an older sibling, your younger child could watch them use their potty or you could take your child to the bathroom with you when you go to the toilet and explain what you’re doing.

 

As the days and weeks progress, encourage your child to sit on the potty more often and if he actually uses it, ensure you give lots of praise. If your child has a regular bowel pattern, such as after breakfast in the morning, sit him on the potty to coincide with his usual bowel movements. Make sure he’s wearing clothes that can easily be pulled up and down on his own and don’t forget to get your child to wash their hands after using the potty too, as this helps encourage healthy habits early on.

 

Some parents recommend trying potty training during the summer months, when children are wearing fewer layers of clothes. It can certainly work for some families, but if the weather doesn’t coincide with your child’s readiness to try potty training, then don’t worry.

 

Potty training won’t always be easy and accidents will happen. When they do, don’t get cross. Clean it up quickly and instead reiterate that he uses the potty next time. If your child really doesn’t take to their potty, you could try buying a special child’s toilet seat instead.

 

Potty training may not be the most exciting task you have to do as a parent, but when your child masters it, you’ll both be happy!