Time to start
Parenting on Female First
Not sure if your little one is ready to start potty training? Research shows that around the age of two is the best time. In fact, nappies could be ‘masking’ that your child is ready.
Look for the clues…… Can your child communicate with you? Does he/she have good physical skills, such as being able to walk and climb stairs? Can he/she take direction, like being shown how to wash hands? If you answer yes to these and your little one is around two or more then don’t be afraid – go for it!
Don’t put off taking the nappy off
Although it can be tempting to wait for a holiday to start potty training, you will reap the benefits if you start when your child is ready rather than waiting for a time that is convenient for yourself.
Five Simple Steps to Potty Success
1. Before you start potty training, begin teaching the routine of going to the toilet. Take your child into the bathroom with you to ‘practice’ everything from turning on the light to waving off the poo, washing hands and closing the door.
2. Stop using nappies and nappy-style training pants and put your little one in ‘grown-up’ pants. (You can pop in a Dry Like Me pad to catch accidents).3. Pop your child on the potty or toilet 20 minutes after food and drink. Do this in the bathroom when you can.
4. Accidents are a key part of learning. When your child has little accidents, remember that they will be starting to understand and react to what’s happening. This awareness is key to making real progress, so try not to use a product that makes it difficult for them to realize they have had an accident.
5. We know that potty training can be a stressful time, but try not to get too stressed. It can help if you turn any anger or frustration towards the accidental poo or wee! “What a naughty poo!”
Dry Like Me potty training pads are available from Asda, Sainsbury, Morrisons, Superdrug, Wilkinsons, Ocado and Amazon.