POTTY TRAINING ADVICE, TOILET TRAINING TIPS
Potty training advice, toilet training tips from experienced mums who have been through the potty training process. Tips on how to toilet train your baby without tears, and we’re not talking about the baby.Potty Training Essential Buys:
- Gina Ford - Potty Training in One Week - even if you've not been a Gina fan before this books straightforward approach really made it simple for my daughter to grasp the basics easily
- Potties - at least 2 - one up and one down
- A stool for washing hands - if 2 loos then get 2 to save your biceps!
- Trainer seat for big loo - could get a portable one from Blooming Marvellous so can use when out
- Reward chart - buy more than 1 of same kind in case run out. Try not to be tempted to do it remotely food based as could be rod for own back! :-)
- Potette for out and about - Blooming Marvellous
- Potette Liners
- Wetec car seat / buggy liner - peace of mind from Mothercare!
- Kandoo wipes -tried loads and these def are the best - most moist - others are cheaper but just bulk buy when on special offer - they are flushable which is handy! When using big loo though try to always use loo roll so that they get used to it
- Kandoo soap at first as cute frog that they like!
- Dettol wipes - so you can wipe up mishaps straight away and wipe out the potty after use - bulk buy if on offer! :-)
- Pants - get them to help you buy them - get some nice ones and then some cheaper ones - Tesco, M&S, Asda etc - I wouldn't plan to chuck them out after every poo otherwise you'll have none left and after the first few it's not that bad to be honest! You will do more washing! However, not to be too grim, most poos tip out into the loo from pants v easily
- Nappy sacks - to put soiled clothes in when out and about
- At least one spare outfit and prob about 3 spares of pants when going out and about
- Jersey trousers - just simpler than buttons and zips when first training - also catch loads of the wee!
- Big load of patience!
- Peg for nose! :-)
Other Thoughts:
- Pants on - keep pants on at all times, even if in garden, as it teaches them about being wet which is invaluable. Also practicality-wise it catches wee and poo!
- Praise - extraordinarily large amounts of praise when does something in loo
- Keep calm if you can! Try v v v v v hard not to get upset if not in the loo though hard sometimes - esp first couple of weeks
- Keep a record! Would suggest keeping a record the first week for 2 reasons - 1. It will help you to see progress which is motivating for you 2. It will help you see patterns which is v handy when first going out
- Be realistic. May not be able to do own pants, or wipe own bottom properly, till aged 3 so don't stress if that doesn't happen - more important to focus on in the loo and washing hands.
- Have targets. Book gradually longer practice trips for having a go with the car journeys - makes you feel that there's light at end of tunnel and that you still have a life! :-)
- Don't put a nappy on unless you really have to! Try not to be tempted to put nappy back on for toddler groups etc - maybe put it on for naps first 2 week or until dry every time for 5 naps - just a case of constantly asking 'do you need a wee wee or poo poo?' at first and doing things like straight on the loo in the morning and straight after naps.
- Pampers portable changing mats - excellent for sticking underneath a potty as extra protection, or under a bottom if goes to sleep nappyless.
- Also watch out for suction! Their bottom may be small but can get suctioned into a potty if on too long and then when they stand up it can go everywhere!
- Also don't worry about using TV to help get them to sit on potty. You can also use books, drawing and songs though so that you're not dependant on TV when out and about. You might find first few days you have to sit next to them loads on the floor to help them concentrate but it's worth it in the long run.