Potty Training Tips to Help Succeed

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We have been potty training for a while, the first time at the end of February, and the second this April, both instigated by Toddler H’s hate of wearing nappies and having a dirty nappy. We weren’t brave the first time and I didn’t allow Toddler H to wear pants outside, telling her it was ok to do wee-wees in her nappy on  a trip to Scotland, after a week of no accidents. She hated being wet, and doing the toilet in her nappy, so we really screwed it all up by telling her a nappy was ok, after her successfully wearing pants and not having any accidents for a week (inside!).  So, we learnt a lesson, and so have two experiences of getting from a toddler who hates a wet or dirty nappy to a toddler who is successfully potty trained in the house, and then we have one final experience of being brave and going out with pants. Here are some potty training tips that I hope help you succeed in getting your toddler nappy free.

So, I hope our experiences of potty training help you, and these potty training tips really do help your toddler quickly make the transition from nappies to pants.

Potty Training Tips for a toddler

 

1. Suggest the potty at the first signs

Go for it as soon as your little one shows an interest in being wet, doing the toilet or tells you when they’ve done something in their nappy, or even better, are about to do something in their nappy.

Have potties on hand and sit little on on it as soon as they show any interest. I’ve a few tips on potty training must haves that might help.

They might get put off if the have loads of accidents, but do persevere a bit longer, they might just need those accidents for it to sink in. The next day might be a huge success with only a few accidents. We found we had a couple of days of accidents, and wee-wees every 10 minutes at times, but suddenly she barely had an accident and was holding for half an hour.

 

2. Be encouraging

High fives, stickers, chocolate buttons, cuddles. Make sure your toddler knows that doing anything on the potty is a GOOD thing to celebrate.

 

3. Be brave, go out!

The first time we tried potty training Toddler H she got it, but I wasn’t brave and made her wear nappies anytime we went out. This confused her and so a few weeks later when she started screaming the car down every time she needed the toilet and subsequently then refused to wear nappies, we knew it was time to potty train again! I was shocked, she refused to wear a nappy after a car journey and so we had to go out with just pants on. Not only that, she didn’t have any accidents out.

I think of all my potty training tips this is the hardest for me as a parent.

 

4. Persevere, accidents happen, but take a break if it doesn’t pick up

I did mention this above, but at the start take it slowly, don’t get upset by accidents, if you can, still put them on the potty and pretend it didn’t happen or they finished in the potty.

You’ll know if it’s not the right time. If so, stop and try again when little ones interested again.

Know that accidents will happen, but at some point it will click and you’ll be high fiving all day.

 

5. Be consistent, but don’t force them

At first yes, dip in and out of nappies and pants as your little one wishes, we did for a couple of months. Sometimes she just didn’t want pants on and vice verse and we didn’t want her getting upset. Sometimes other things were going on like a growth spurt, a tired week, or a cold brewing. These weren’t ideal times, we just didn’t realise it, but kept letting her choose what she wanted so we didn’t completely stop.

After a cold, a growth spurt and a sleepy week, one day Toddler H just refused to wear nappies and that was that. She actually tried these Zoocchini potty training pants (Amazon Affiliate link*) for the first time and refused to take them off to go to music class. They feel so much comfier than a nappy I can see why!

I think this is actually one of my biggest potty training tips: follow their lead, be consistent and don’t change your message, but if potty training suddenly stalls or little one starts refusing to wear pants, there might be another reason.

 

6. Potty training tips when in the car

I have a separate post on potty training essentials, however, here are a few tips to help too…

• Take a change or two of clothes when going out
• Use potty training pads or dog training pads for your sofa, car seat, chairs.
• Invest in a travel potty for when you’re out and about. We LOVE our My Carry Potty as it’s easy to use and doesn’t involve any faffing about with bags – we’ve reviewed our dinosaur travel potty which Toddler H chose. 

 

7. One final potty training tip

Most of all be calm and positive and try not to stress

 

I’ve written quite a few potty training blog posts so do have a browse if you’re starting the potty training journey. 

Good luck!! x

 

Disclaimer: *Amazon affiliate link, if you click I may receive a few pennies at no cost to you.