You’ve been potty training all wrong – I’m a parenting expert & this is how to get your toddler out of nappies in days
HAVING a fully potty trained toddler is every parent’s dream, however the journey to getting to there can be one of stress.
Despite the frustrations (and often mess) that comes with it, if done properly, it can be quite a quick process.
A recent survey from baby brand, Munchkin, has revealed that more than 41% of parents confessed it took them more than three months to potty train their toddler, despite many experts claiming children can be trained within a week.
In collaboration with early years expert Sophie Pickles, Munchkin has found that some of the common hacks parents try in their quest to potty train, may actually be the reasons many little ones are taking longer than normal to master the skill.
Sophie Pickles, has created some parenting do’s and don’ts which can get your child potty trained in a matter of days…
Go all in
When potty training my advice is to go all in and ditch the nappies for good. This means no transitioning to pull ups first, no night nappies, and no giving nappies back for a poo.
This way can be intense in the early stages but can yield much better, and quicker results. Your little one will quickly learn that they no longer have the security of their nappy and avoids sending any mixed messages.
Avoid the bells and whistles
One of the biggest mistakes parents make when starting potty training is trying to make it too fun, with novelty potties that serve more as toys rather than the actual purpose
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Using fancy potties can encourage them to play with it, rather than using it for its actual purpose. Look for easy to use potties that are easy to clean, and most of all, comfy.
Create a ‘potty set up’
Instead of bringing the fun with novelty potties which can make toilet time confusing for little ones, make the area around them fun by creating a ‘potty set up’ with some of their favourite toys to help keep them occupied whilst they sit down.
Toys that are fun and engaging, but can’t be thrown around whilst they are sat down work the best here, such as Munchkin’s Octodrum toy which is a 3 in 1 baby drum, tambourine and maze which can be stuck onto surfaces.
Invite after big drink
There’s not much point having them sit on the potty all day, so it’s best to time it right. Give them a big drink, wait 10 – 20 minutes and then invite them over to sit.
If you have your ‘potty set up’ right, this should keep them occupied until the fluid does its magic and nature calls.
Avoid any shocks
Whether your little one has mastered their verbal skills yet or not, in the days leading up to you ditching the nappies, it’s important to communicate what will be happening.
Explain how you will approach potty training, if you are going cold turkey on the nappies, let them know that you will be saying ‘bye bye to nappies’. Words of encouragement always help, letting them know that you’re doing this because they’re such a big boy/girl and don’t need nappies any more.
Plan some time at home
Nappy-free and naked is the easiest and cleaning way to go about the first days of potty training. If it’s possible, try and plan to start training when you have a few solid days at home, whether you do this over a weekend, or even book a few days off work.
Crank up the heating, get out the potty and strip them off, this creates less pressure as there’s no worries of soiling their clothes, and being in close quarters, it’s much easier to keep an eye out for any telltale signs that they need to use the potty.
For those who aren’t able to dedicate time at home, if your child goes to nursery make sure the team is aware that you’re potty training, and know the approach you’re taking. They will always try to help, and keeping in line with what you’re doing at home will avoid any confusion with your little one.
In other parenting news, this woman was unwell at the end of her pregnancy, then popped out a giant baby.
This lady was called too old to have a baby at 40 but did it anyway, and again at 41.
And this dad has come up with a brilliant hack to stop his daughter climbing the stairs.