Are you looking for fun ways to introduce the potty into your child's routine?
Watch the film below for expert tips for parents to help them prepare and support their child in potty training.
TITLE: POTTY TRAINING PREP
Mum 1: Look! Look at your new potty. Wow.
CHILDREN NEED TO DRINK LOTS OF FLUIDS AND SHOULD PASS REGULAR SOFT POOS
Mum 1: What is that? Look at you!
A GOOD TIME TO INTRODUCE A POTTY IS WHEN THEY CAN SIT UP BY THEMSELVES
Mum 1: Put one on. Ready? Wow! Look how many you can get. You've got one more sticker.
Mum 1: That's a good job. You're exploring your potty. Well done!
TRY CHANGING THEM STANDING UP SO THEY ARE MORE INVOLVED WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING
Mum 1: Shall we do a nappy change with you standing up? You've done a poo? Clever girl. Well done.
AFTER A WEE AND POO, SOME NAPPY-OFF TIME CAN HELP THEM GET USED TO NOT WEARING ONE
Mum 1: Is it nice to feel dry? All clean and all dry. You were such a good girl!
TRY MAKING SITTING ON THE POTTY A FUN THING FOR THEM TO DO
Mum 2: Look! What's this? It's your potty! Would you like to see it?
Child: Yeah.
Mum 2: Look, Paddy. Your baby is going to sit on the potty! Wow!
TRY SITTING THEM ON THE POTTY WHEN THEY'VE JUST WOKEN UP OR AFTER MEALTIMES
Mum 2: Do you want to have a go? Do you wanna do a wee wee?
Mum 2: Sit sit. Yay! Good job!
HAVE FUN ON YOUR CHILD'S POTTY TRAINING JOURNEY!
Mum 1: Wee! Good job!
Our advice was created with help from ERIC, the children's bowel and bladder charity
When should I prepare for potty training?
Research says the best time to stop using nappies is between 18 and 30 months - so introducing your child to the potty before 18 months will help make the transition smoother.
As soon as your child is able to sit up safely on their own, you can start to show your child how to use a potty. You might use a doll or toy to show them how to sit on one, to start with.
If you're choosing a potty for the first time, try to pick one that is low to the ground so your child can use it independently. It doesn't have to be fancy!
How can I prepare my child for potty training?
When you first start to use a potty, try helping your child to sit on it just after they wake up and after mealtimes.
Lots of praise and conversation will make this easier!
Other things you could do include changing your child standing up, so they're more involved with what's going on, as well as having 'nappy-off time' for a little bit each day.
