How to Toilet Train Toddlers

Nappy changes get old and parents of toddlers look forward to the day when they are no longer necessary. You can avoid toilet trouble if you follow our advice on how to toilet train your toddler.

Pick the Right Time

Even if you are ready for potty training, your child may not
be. Unless your little one is able to make the transition both emotionally and
physically, toilet training could end up taking longer than it should. Toddlers
are usually ready at around 1½ to 2 years, girls are often ready before boys,
and bowel control may take a while to master, so be patient. Watch for signs
that your child is ready, such as letting you know their nappy needs changing.
Many parents try to potty train in warmer weather, so their toddler does not
need to struggle with multiple layers of clothing. It is also a good idea not
to attempt potty training if there are other emotional situations your toddler
is dealing with, such as the birth of a sibling, or a family relocation. Also,
make sure you begin potty training at a time when you are not stressed out or
overly busy, because patience is imperative for successful potty training.

Get Your Toddler Ready

Toddlers are naturally curious. Get your toddler familiar
with the toilet by taking him into the bathroom with you or letting him be with
siblings. Let them flush the toilet and watch the water go down. Flushing
scares some toddlers at first. You can also empty the contents of the dirty
nappy into the toilet and let your toddler flush it. Your goal is to get them
comfortable with the bathroom environment and familiar with the toilet.

Choose a Potty Type for Training

If you are using a freestanding model with a removable bowl,
place it as close to the toilet as possible. Have your toddler sit fully clothed
on this potty while you use the bathroom. Another idea is to have your child
sit on their potty seat when playing. This worked well with my daughter who was
hesitant when it came to anything new and different. By the time we started
potty training, her potty seat was an old friend. If you choose one that fits
over a regular toilet seat, make sure you have a stool for their feet to make
your toddler feel more secure.

Dress for Success

Choose shirts and pants that do not snap at the crotch. Make
sure your toddler can pull down his own pants and underwear. If you decide to
use disposable training pants, make sure your child can take them off easily. Try
building a desire for training pants by calling them “big girl� or “big boy�
pants. As they progress in their potty training, take them shopping for colourful
training pants with their favourite colour or character and build a desire for
the next step.

The Potty Training Process

Sit your toddler on the potty after changing a nappy and
provide a toy.
Do not make them stay on the potty but let them get down when they want. You
may want to keep a few special toys close to the potty specifically for potty
time. Once your toddler is comfortable sitting on the potty with clothes on,
try with pants pulled down. You can also sit your toddler on the toilet when
you are in the bathroom brushing teeth, shaving, and doing other bathroom
tasks. Our son loved to sit on the potty and watch daddy shave. When your
toddler is comfortable sitting on the toilet clothed, begin seating them on the
toilet two or three times a day bare bottomed. When they get up in the morning,
after meals, after nap, and just before bed are good times to do so. Also,
watch for clues they need to go and put them on the potty immediately. If they
use the potty, reinforce with praise or some type of reward. Be patient. It may
take some time for your child to start using the potty consistently.

With patience and consistency, potty training does not need
to be difficult. Remember not to ask your toddler if they need to go as a
toddler favourite word is “no.� Simply practice, practice, practice, and
praise, praise, praise!