You may have been able to tell that your child is ‘doing business’ when they stood still and stopped doing whatever they were up to when they were babies. Toddlers usually become aware of their body sensation around 18 months to 2 years, and let you know that by holding their nappy and saying “mummy, wee” or “mummy pooh”. This is when you know that they are ready to start toilet training.

Don’t start toilet training too early when you feel like you need to, only start when you know that your child is ready. Starting earlier than when they are ready, will make the process much longer and more frustrating. It is also advisable that you start toilet training in summer, as there will be fewer clothes to take off, and fewer soiled clothes to wash.
Before you start the toilet training process, let your child learn about what the toilet is and its purpose. Take them to the toilet with you a few times before you let them do it. Talk to them about what you are doing and let them flush the toilet. Buy all the necessary equipment and leave it in the bathroom for your child to get used to them.

Equipment

• Trainer pants

• A potty chair or a removable toilet seat and footstool or an all-in-one toilet trainer seat with steps.

• A spare set of clothes where ever you go.

How to toilet train

• When you start toilet training, organize a few days at home so it is easier for you if they make a mess.

• During the day, put your child in a pair of undies or trainer pants (Huggies brand trainer pants are a good buy).

• Be consistent once you start training them, otherwise irregular teaching will make it difficult for them to adapt the habit. Take them to the toilet throughout the day.

• When you’re going out, try finding out in advance where you can find toilets, and take them to the toilet at the usual time when they’d go at home. Do take a spare pair or pants and more clothing just in case of accidents. Also let them wear trainer pants too just to be safe.

• Praise them every time they are successful, and just ignore failures.

• Be patient, some children take as long as 3 years, and sometimes up to the age of five before they start sleeping without nappies.

• Don’t leave their nappies off when they are sleeping, observe and once there nappies start staying dry for a few weeks, you can take them off too – then you are all nappy free.