Potty training – two words that strike fear into mums and dads about to embark on this experience with their child. For many parents, potty training a toddler is a real milestone in their child’s development and they’ll be eager to get started if only because it means an end to endlessly changing nappies. What few parents realise is how long potty training can take. If you’re lucky your tots will master it within a few days but be prepared because it can take a few months.

Here we’ll give some tips on the basics of potty training plus a few potty training products that will give you and your child a better chance of success.

What age should I start potty training my child?

The majority of children will be aged two to two and half years-old by the time potty training begins but don’t worry if your child is a little older as there are no set rules about the right or wrong age. Boys tend to show less interest in potty training than girls. Experts believe this is because they are less adept at communication at this age and because potty training a child involves understanding language and guidance boys can take longer to grasp the skill.

Your child will begin to display certain indications that they are ready to start toilet training which can include:

- Managing to stay dry for two or more hours per day
- Regular bowel movements (after breakfast is common)
- Physical demonstrations that they are having a bowel movement such as squatting
- Telling you that they have been to toilet and need their nappy changing

There are certain factors which should make you wait to potty train your child. These include: arrival of a newborn baby to the family, making the move from a cot to a bed, moving home, relationship difficulties, illness or new childcare arrangements.

Successful potty training tips and products

To begin with, your toddler needs to understand that going to the loo will now involve using a toilet. Don’t be in a rush to teach your toddler and if it’s too distressing for them don’t panic, toilet training a child who is a bit older often means you can skip the potty stage and move straight on to using the loo in your home.

Toddlers learn by imitation so if they can watch you using the loo then it will help them understand the process. Don’t take your child to the toilet each time you go but if they follow you there don’t shut them out. Let them see what you do as they’re likely to copy you when the time comes to put them on a potty.

Next you need to have the right equipment i.e. a potty. This should be a potty that your child can claim as their own so buy something new, colourful and fun. Let them place stickers on it if this encourages them to use it.

Fisher Price Froggy Friend Potty

Tippitoes Musical Potty

Try to train your child in the summer months if possible when they’re wearing less clothes (tots tend to run around the house half-naked in the summer anyway so this should make the learning process a little easier). If they’re clothed, try to dress them in clothing that can be easily pulled up and down. To start with, you might want to consider training pants which are similar to the nappies your child is used to but will make training (and the inevitable potty accidents) easier to cope with.

Bambino Mio Training Pants

Don’t force you child to sit on the potty and try to make the change from nappies seem something exciting. If they have an accident, remain cheerful and encouraging by telling them they’ll get it right next time. When they get it right, give your toddler lots of praise and tell them how grown up and clever they are. After they’ve used the potty, encourage them to wash their hands so the association of going to the toilet and then washing your hands is set from the word go.

If you’re still having problems and your child has lost interest try incentives or rewards. A popular method used by many parents is a calender that keeps track of successful potty attempts. Each time your toddler uses the potty properly, they can place a sticker on the calender. Once they have enough stickers they get a reward such as sweets or a toy.

Once your child has mastered using the potty it will be time for them to start using the full-size loo. As with the potty training, don’t rush them into this and only do it when you feel your toddler is comfortable and ready. To begin with your child may be wary of using the full-size toilet given that it is high up, bigger than their potty and makes a loud noise when flushed. Imitation toilet potties are a great way to introduce your child to using a toilet so when they make the step up to a full-size loo it won’t be so daunting.

Summer Infant Potty trainer Blue

Summer Infant Potty Trainer Pink

If you’re moving onto toilet training you’ll need to buy an adapter or training seat that fits on the top of the toilet seat. You’ll also need a way for your toddler to step up to the loo. You can buy toilet adapters individually or buy a potty system that transforms into a toilet trainer and stool when your child is ready.

Summer Infant Potty Seat and Stool

Once your toddler is using the toilet regularly and without any complications it’s time to ditch those nappies. Reinforce this momentous occasion by letting your toddler hand over any unused nappies to family members who have younger children.