According to recent story in the Daily Mail some parents are leaving potty training until children are in primary school. The recommended age is between 18-24 months but it’s not uncommon for three or four year olds to still be in nappies. Studies* have shown that keeping children in nappies for too long is detrimental to their health and can lead to urinary tract infections and bladder troubles. So what is the best way to toilet train your child and when is a good time to start?
When Should You Start?
The general view is that children have the physical and mental development for potty training at 18-24 months. All children are different though so don’t force it. Look for signs that he is ready such as very wet nappies, an interest in the potty (leave it lying around to tempt him), or watching you when you go to the loo. Summer is a good time to start as children wear less and can be outdoors more often.
How To Potty Train
Here are some tips from Action For ASD: -
- Buy clothing that’s easy to remove and make sure you have plenty of spare pants.
- Buy a couple of potties or a special training seat. Get into the habit of taking the potty with you wherever you go.
- Once you start, keep at it. It can be confusing for baby if you put him back into a nappy at night. Instead, buy a mattress protector and keep the potty by his bed. Leave the light on and keep fluids to a minimum before bedtime.
- Create a special sign that means ‘toilet, please’.
- Take him into the toilet with you so he can watch what you do.
- Note the times of day when she usually goes and put her on the potty then. Try to create a routine, e.g. use it first thing in the morning, after lunch and last thing at night.
- Praise him lots when he uses the potty – even if it’s only a dribble!
- When she has an accident put her poo into the potty to show her how it’s done. Then take her to the toilet to empty it, let her flush the loo and show her how to wash her hands afterwards.
- Don’t make a big fuss if she has an accident – she’ll take it as encouragement to do it again.
- Potty tricks – if you’re having difficulty getting your child to sit on the potty, buy a musical or magical one, that sings or lights up and turn it into a game.
- Keep a goody bag so he gets a treat each time he uses the potty.
Whenever you decide to start, make sure it’s a good time for you, you’re not stressed and things are settled at home. All children are different so be patient and accept that it may take some time.
Resources
*A study into the link between late toilet training and long-term bladder problems was published in the Scandinavian Journal of Urology & Nephrology, E Bakker, 2001, Taylor & Francis Group.
