Day Time Potty Training

If you as parents are relaxed about potty training, your child is more likely to achieve bladder control. Sitting your child on the potty can provide a peaceful moment to play or read a story. It has been found that praise for using the potty can help your child learn, whilst punishment can have the opposite affect, often making your child tense or anxious.

There is no evidence that attempts at potty training earlier than 18 months of age has any affect on the age at which a child obtains bladder control. The general message is that your child will learn at his or her own pace - and that parents can help through giving guidance and encouragement.

The first steps

Communication

1.  Say "Let's go to the toilet" rather than ask the question "Do you want to go?" This gives them the option to say "No", and the only way out is then force, which you don't want to use.
2. Always stay positive when communicating - don't shout or get angry. Children respond much better in a happy and positive environment. Even showing your disappointment with accidents can affect a sensitive child.
3. If removing the nappy, get your child to say good bye to their nappy and a big hello to their "new big girl/boy" underpants. This gives them a greater understanding of what is happening.
4. Praise every attempt when your child uses a toilet/potty. Get really excited when they actually do a wee or a poo. Show them how proud you are of them. Don’t ever get upset or angry if they don’t go.
5. Where possible show your child with actions as this helps with their understanding. Example, if there is a solid accident for instance, tell them this belongs in the toilet and go and place it there. Show them and get them to say it as well. 
6. Be consistent with your communication. Keep the words you use the same throughout when speaking to your child. For Example, if you use "wee" or "poo" don't keep swapping the terminology to "number ones" and "number twos". This will cause confusion.

Hygiene

1. Wash your child’s hands after every toilet/potty visit. Learning the rituals required for proper hygiene is an essential part of toileting.
2. It might be easier for you and your child to try a pump liquid soap, as it is much easier to control and handle (rather than chasing a cake of soap around the basin). This is considered more hygienic as well, as solid soap can harbour bacteria being left wet.
3. If using a potty or similar container, place a piece of toilet paper in the bottom. This soaks up wee and makes it very simple to remove poo into the toilet afterwards.
4. Spray the potty with some form of antiseptic or disinfectant after use.
5. Always wash your hands.

Timing

1. Be familiar with your own child’s routine. Each child is different so this will help you understand the key times to be aware of.
2. Take your child to regular toilet visits during the day, especially at key times, i.e. on waking up and after feeds. Be diligent with this, even after they have started using the toilet successfully. Often accidents occur because we slacken off in this area.
3. Set a timer to prompt you and your child to go to the toilet based on their routine. Make a game of it. Let them know, "when you hear the bell we need to race to the toilet and see who gets their first to go."
4. Be aware that TV and toys can cause mishaps because your child doesn’t want to leave what they are doing. Make sure you stop them to go.

Techniques

1. Lose the nappy during waking hours. This is the best and quickest way to get the job done. Try and have your child out of nappies as much as possible. This will help get an understanding of the sensation if an accident occurs.
2. Dress your child in clothing easy to pull up and down. This will make it easier to use the toilet/potty during the day.
3. Accidents do happen, so be prepared for this. Explain to your child where they are to go to the toilet and get them to explain it back to you and show you several times throughout the day.
4. Take your child shopping to buy their "own special big boy/girl underpants". Get them excited about wearing the same clothes as Mummy and Daddy.
5. Make everything as fun as possible. In your actions, your words and especially your tone of voice… kids know!
6. If it can be made into a game, then make it one. Kids respond so much better to something that’s fun.
7. Provide a healthy, well-balanced diet for your child with lots of fruit and vegetables. Toileting problems such as constipation can result in other challenges when it comes to toilet training. If your child sees you eating well, then this can also help them.
8. Let them watch an older sibling use the toilet, or mum and dad. "Monkey see, monkey do" is a very successful training method. A hands on approach is the best way to teach your child "how to go to the toilet" even from the beginning as to "what a toilet is used for".
9. Have your child's favourite toy or book ready to keep their interest when placed on the potty.
10. Show lots of excitement when your child is using the potty. Clap hands, squeal and laugh, jump up and down, make the excitement contagious so they know the potty is a fun place to be. (You may feel and look really silly – but your child will enjoy it!)

Leaving the House

Communication

1. Explain – "We are going for a car ride/bus/train, where there are no toilets so let’s go to our toilet/potty before we leave home". (Make it fun; ask your child if mummy or daddy has toilets in their car? Get them to think about it themselves.)
2. Offer regular toilet/potty stops while out so you’re not stuck needing to go in a hurry in a situation where you are then too far away from an accessible toilet.
3. Make going to the toilet before you leave the house a set rule for your child, and explain this to them. Children respond to boundaries really well and by making this a rule, it removes any need for discussion when each time comes, saving time. They just know that this is what you do.
4. Have a spare potty in the car for emergencies.

Hygiene

1. Take anti bacterial wipes with you in case the public toilet does not supply soap.
2. When using public toilets, be aware of what your child touches. Many germs can be collected at a mandatory toilet stop. (Play a game of "keep your hands up in the air.")
3. If your child does not like washing their hands with soap after using the toilet, play a game with it like, "Guess what colour the soap is at this toilet?" Be prepared. Take spare clothes, wipes, and plastic bags with you if you’re leaving home without a nappy.