potty training


advice, tips & potties

Potty Training


Potty training your toddler can be a traumatic experience for both you and your little angel. Some parents and children seem to breeze through the process and can have their children potty trained within a couple of days while others seem to struggle for months with tantrums galore from both parent and child. 

So what help is available?

First is your little angel ready?  you can get lots of advice from family, friends, books, experts etc but you are the expert for your little one.  You can try the readiness checklist from www.babycentre.co.uk, there is also a lot more information from ABC of potty training to 'your questions answered'.  Potty-secrets guarantee to train your child in 1 weekend.  Sing your child the 'underpants dance' a song created especially to show children know how cool it is to wear underpants.  Or buy books and dvd's from Amazon.

Below are a few of Allkids hints and tips.
  • Checking if your child is ready. Do they:-
    • tell you when they want a wee or a poo
    • hold themselves when they need to go to the toilet
    • want a clean nappy as soon as they have filled it
    • want privacy when they are filling their nappy
  • The potty training starts here
    • take your child with you when choosing a potty, there are plenty of designs around from car shaped ones to ones that make a tune when they are used
    • let your child get used to the potty by sitting them on it when they don't need to go to the toilet
    • encourage your child to tell you when they need to go to the toilet
    • give your child plenty of praise or even a little treat when they use the potty
    • do not tell your child off if they fail to use the potty or if they have an accident
    • If your child is not fully ready, (they may display the signs but you are battling every time) stop for a couple of months but tell your child what you are doing
    • get a rewards chart that you can do together
    • Use training pants during the day (encouraging your child to go on the potty tehmselves) and nappies on a night
    • Let your child help you empty the potty into the toilet, this might help with the transition of potty training to toilet training.
    • Encourage hygene by reminding children to wipe properly, with girls wiping from front to back and washing their hands after every visit
 

Toilet Training

Whether you are toilet training straight away or making the transition from potty training to using the toilet the principle remains the same. Some children might find the prospect of using a toilet very scary, they might think something is going to bite them on the bum (I remember thinking Jaws would get me - yes I'd just watched Jaws 1 and was frightened out of my skin) or they might think they will fall in.

Here are a few more hints and tips to help you and your child to potty/ toilet heaven!

  • Buy a step or a childs toilet seat, ensure it is age appropriate - again involve them in the buying process
  • Help your child by putting on clothes that can be removed easily ie button, velcro etc, this might encourage them to go on their own more
  • Let your childminder/ nursery know the process you are using, if not this could give your child mixed signals
  • Let your child see you on the toilet, they will learn quicker by being shown what to do rather than being told
  • If you are trying to stop nappies on a night take your child to the toilet before you go to bed, they will probably still be fast a sleep and you can have some very funny conversations with them
  • Above all else be patient!!!

Information pages

babycentre.co.uk - Excellent information site that gives lots of hints and tips on potty training, join the babycentre community and share your woe's with other parents
bbc.co.uk - visit the bbc parenting site for pratical hints and tips on toilet training
mumsnet.com - information site by parents for parents help with how to survive potty training
practical parent.org.uk - free tips and support, read tips from a mother of 3, practical advice and parenting bookstore
Babyworld.co.uk - check out the cultural differences with potty training, the basics of training and where to go next
Raising Kids.co.uk - ask the experts for toilet training tips, lots of information on the joys of potty training
nctpregnancy and babycare.com - information and resources on child development including potty training
ask baby.com - tips and advice for starting and succeeding in potty training
for parents by parents - read one mum's story on toilet training, tips for easy potty training and tips on toilet fear
Pampers - information and tips on rewards for toilet training and potty helpers
Potty training Solutions (US) - Read the potty training message board or potty training help, can also buy products such as training dolls, books and videos etc
Potty training tips (US) - Free tips in establishing a routine, staying dry through the night plus many more. Buy charts, video's and books etc
Potty training Dolls (US) - Information on how to use a drink and wet doll to help potty train
zipbaby (US) - Potty training FAQ's, information and training aids
 

Books and useful resources

Potty-secrets.com (US) - Guarantees to potty train your child in 1 weekend. Buy the only book you will ever need to potty train your child in 2-3 days.
The Potty Trainer.com (US) - Download the e- book that helps potty train your child in 3 days, get a few hints and tips and read how other parents have succeeded. Also sign up for your free training mini course

Reward charts
Wall hanging reward chart

My Reward Chart - Children's Rooms
includes 7 rewards, 10 numbered stars for targets, 12 activities and 42 stars
Reward Board - Reuseable charts to help potty train your child. Choose from 9 different designs

Potty training Books
from Amazon

DVD's and CD's