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If you are looking to start toilet training your toddler, summer is a great time.  Wet pants aren’t so cold and there's plenty of time outside where accidents aren't so messy.  I suggest you use light undies or those with a thick gusset as they are uncomfortable when wet, especially when wee is trickling down their legs.  This helps encourage the use of the potty or toilet.  Use a nappy or something similar when putting your toddler to sleep to avoid accidents.

Parents also need training.  It is up to the parent or guardian to remember to ask the toddler if they need to go to the toilet.  Try asking 20 mins after offering liquids, before going to bed and on waking and approximately once every hour until you or your toddler are more aware of their needs.  Training parents to recognise the needs of their children helps children become more aware of their own needs and in learning a new routine. 

Toilet training needn’t be a struggle, sit your toddler on a potty or toilet and help him be comfortable.  Talk to him about ’wees and poos’, make a ‘ssssss’ sound can help him to associate with doing a wee.   Don’t sit him for too long as he will only get restless and eventually resent toilet training.  It helps to learn by example.  Sit him on the potty when you’re on the toilet.  Give him plenty of praise and lots of encouragement even if there is no results. Don’t be angry or scold your child if they have an accident, remind them there will be another time to try.  In time they will be aware of their own toilet needs.

Tips:  It is not a good time to start toilet training your toddler when there has been a family disruption, extra stress or you have just had another child. Wait till your child has settled into their new environment and feel comfortable before introducing a new skill.

Remember:   When leaving the house, remember to carry a few spare pair of pants and cloths, a plastic bag for wet cloths and a cloth to mop up the spills.  In the car you may like to sit him on top of an open nappy or put some other padding such as a ‘Chair Pad’ made by Brolly Sheets, under him in case of an accident.. 

If you would like more information on this and other similar topics our E-books are packed full of practical parenting tips.  Down load an E-Book specifically related to your child's age group through Publications at Our Shop.

How Cradle 2 Kindy Can Help

Cradle 2 Kindy can provide you with more information to help you assist your child’s development including toilet training.

Call now and book your personal Cradle 2 Kindy coach on 1300 786 101

Also see: What happens at a Coaching session?

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Toilet training issues - when, where and how - can be a controversial topic.
 
I have had interesting conversations with other health workers and parents, some from different cultures in regards to toilet training.  In China, for instance, children and babies do not wear nappies, so toilet training starts very early.  A Korean client was training her baby from birth and claimed her mother had trained her children by six months.  From this example you can see it is more the mother who is being trained to be aware of her baby’s needs.  This is the way I encourage and teach parents.  Training parents to be aware of their baby’s body functions and needs.  When parents understand their baby’s body rhythms they can assist their baby to form good habits such as good sleep and feeding patters.  Through habitual behaviour parents help prepare their child for everyday activities such as hair washing, teeth cleaning and even toilet training.  As these activities become a part of the child’s daily routine the child adapts and accepts this new learnt behaviour.  A typical example is when you wrap your baby when it’s time to put him/her to bed, it doesn’t take long before baby recognises wrap means it’s time to sleep.
 
Therefore why not introduce your baby to the potty when they are still very young!
 

Toilet training needn’t be a chore.

My suggestion is to introduce your baby to the potty when they can sit confidently with out support.  Sit your baby on a potty and help him/her to be comfortable there.  Sing or read a story to keep him/her occupied.  Making a ‘ssssss’ sound can help baby to associate with doing a wee.   Talk about ’wees and poos’ even if you think they don’t understand.  You will be surprised how much they really take in.
 
Put baby on the potty after every sleep time and when you see them straining to open their bowls.
 
In fact if you start before your child becomes too independent, which usually is around two years old, you will have less resistance.  Less resistance will mean more cooperation.  If you make this part of your daily routine it will soon become a habit and less of a chore.

Tips:  When starting your toilet training don’t sit baby on the potty for too long as they will only get restless and eventually resent the potty.  It also helps if baby learns by example.  Let him/her sit on the potty when you’re on the toilet.  Give your baby praise and lots of encouragement even if nothing is produced. 

Remember: In time you will become aware of your baby’s toilet habits.  As you train yourself your baby will respond as he/she too recognizes why they are sitting on the potty.

If you would like more information on this and other similar topics our E-books are packed full of practical parenting tips.  Down load an E-Book specifically related to your child's age group through Publications at Our Shop. 

How Cradle 2 Kindy Can Help

Our Cradle 2 Kindy parenting coaches will come to your home and assist you with what most concerns you.  

Call now and book your personal Cradle 2 Kindy coach on 1300 786 101

Also see: What happens at a Coaching session?

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