Potty training: steps and tips for an easy transition

There are a variety of stages you’ll go through with your child when it comes to potty training. Here we’ll look at the differences between potty training girls and boys, as well as some easy to follow potty training steps and advice on how to create the perfect potty training reward chart.

Make sure you have everything ready including training pants and a potty. Keep cleaning products like Cif handy for any inevitable accidents during the potty training process.

Easy potty training steps

Here are our top tips to help you have a successful potty training journey:

1. Remember that each child is different. All children level at different rates and have different experiences with milestones like potty training. Don’t judge your child’s progress by that of others – give them the time and support they need.

2. Have everything ready. This includes training pants, a potty or toilet training seat and step. The sooner you get prepared, the easier it will be for everyone.

3. Choose fun undies. A great motivational tool is to use bright, colourful underwear with their favourite character on. This will help encourage the transition from nappies to pants or knickers and make your children feel more comfortable.

4. Explain the process to your child. Make sure you do so clearly and appropriately according to their age and understanding. If they understand what’s expected of them, and why, then it will be easier for them to start using the potty.

5. Train for all times of day. If you’re wondering how to potty train at night, start by getting your kids into a routine. Sit them on the potty at intervals during the day, especially first thing in the morning, after every meal, and before bed so that they know that they should always try and use the potty.

6. Always listen to them. You’ll probably find that your child doesn’t always use the potty when they tell you that they need to go but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t listen them. They’re learning to listen to their body and understand when they need to use the toilet and you should encourage this to support their potty training.

7. Set aside nappy-free and pant-free time. Whilst training pants are great, it can sometimes be confusing for kids. Allowing them to spend some time without this safety blanket means they are likely to pick up on when they need to use the potty quicker. Only ever do this indoors, not when out and about, to prevent your child being stuck in wet clothes.

8. Create a potty training reward chart. This is an important step, as children often respond favourably to a reward system. Create a chart which they can add stickers to every time they use the potty or toilet and offer rewards for small milestones:

• The first time they do a wee on the potty or toilet.

• The first time they do a poo on the potty or toilet.

• The first time they are dry at night.

• They first time they are dry all day.

Gender-specific potty training advice

How to potty train a boy and how to potty train a girl is slightly different. Although both are based around the same concept, there are a couple of unique lessons each has to learn:

• For boys, teach them to use the potty sitting down first. Then, once they’ve mastered this, you can get them to use the toilet and begin to teach them how to go while standing up.

• For girls, teach them the importance of wiping themselves from front to back. This is very important as it can help prevent infections such as thrush.

Now you know the differences between potty training girls and boys you should be well prepared to start your journey. With our easy to follow potty training steps and advice on how to create the perfect potty training reward chart, it should be a quick and easy process for you all.

Key Steps

Remember these tips when potty training your kids:

• All children are different so let yours learn at their own pace.

• Teach boys to use the potty sitting down before moving to the toilet and teaching them to use it while standing up.

• Teach girls to wipe from front to back to help prevent infections.

• Get kids into a routine by putting them on the potty first thing in the morning, after every meal, and last thing at night.

• Have days free from training pants to stop your kids relying on this safety blanket.

• Create a potty training reward chart that gives them a treat at key milestones.