Handy Tips for Toilet Training your little Bright Bot!
20 February, 2010
As we all know, babies and children develop very differently and can reach their milestones points at quite varying ages. Some will crawl and walk early while others may take a bit longer - this is totally normal and is the same with toilet training. It important to remember not to rush your child with toilet training as it can be quite stressful for you both if your little one isn’t ready yet.
Here are some signs that your child might be ready to begin toilet training.

Does your child....
- walk and can sit for short amounts of time?
- show interest in others going to the toilet?
- feel uncomfortable in dirty nappies?
- have dry nappies for up to 2 hours?
- tell you when they have wet or soiled their nappy (or even better tell you before they do it)?
- have the ability to “hold on” for a short amount of time to get to the toilet?
- pull their pants up and down?

If some of these sound like your little one, then they may be ready to train!

Here are some tips to get started with toilet training...
- Decide if you are going to use a potty or a toilet. If you choose to use the toilet make sure you have a step so you little one can get onto the toilet easily, and a special toilet seat if needed (to stop them falling through the big people seat!).
- Chose a start day when you have nothing planned and can stay at home. Begin training during the days first as nights may take a bit longer and they need to get the hang of the whole process first. Once day training is achieved, look for dry overnight nappies then begin night training.
- Stop putting nappies on your child during the day and dress them in clothing that can be pulled down easily and quickly.
- Training pants are a great way to transition your child from nappies to undies. Our Bright Bots Training Pants look like undies but have a waterproof lining with an absorbent layer to help soak up spills and keep clothes dry. They are less absorbent then a nappy which allows your child to feel wet when they do a wee. This lets them learn the discomfort and will encourage them to go to the toilet. Our training pants will also hold in a large mess like an accidental number 2! These are great for when you are out and about, as your child can be easily distracted and more likely to have an accident.
- Put your child on the toilet at times they would normally soil their nappy if they have a “regular” routine, or within half an hour of eating for example.
- Ask your child regularly during the day if they need to go to the toilet, and sit them on to try (don’t do it too often or leave them on for too long if nothing is happening otherwise they will feel like they are in trouble or doing something wrong).
- Look out for signs that they may need to go to the toilet and teach them to tell you when “the wee or poo is coming”.
- Make sure your child is eating plenty of fibrous foods and drinking enough water to keep their digestive system regular. Constipation makes training more difficult and stressful for your child.
- Praise your child for their efforts on the toilet whether it be successful or not. This encouragement will give them a positive feeling about going to the toilet.
- Don’t punish or get angry if they do have an accident, just clean it up and explain what has happened. Children often feel uncomfortable and embarrassed when they have an accident so try to reassure them and help them learn from it.
- You will need to wipe your child’s bottom until they learn to do it themselves, so try to teach them hygienic ways to do this including making sure they always wipe from front to back.
- Wash your child’s hands after each time they go to the toilet - most children enjoy this part!

REMEMBER...  
*Give praise, pressure or punishment does not help with toilet training!
*Accidents happen, just clean it up and move on!

References:
Raising Children Network http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/toilet_training.html , 2006
Parenting and Child Health, http://www.cyh.sa.gov.au/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=114&np=122&id=1837 , 2009