Toilet training takes time, commitment and consistency. Pick a good time for you and your child to start toilet training.
This may be when you are on annual leave or have time off work. Make sure your child has no big changes coming up, such as starting pre-school or primary school.
It may also help to get other people involved. For example, grandparents, school staff or a childminder. You could agree on a plan together.
Keep a diary or chart
Every child’s toilet pattern is different. Noticing what works for your child can make toilet training easier and less stressful.
It can help to keep a diary of when your child pees or poos in their nappy.
This can help you to:
- notice patterns, such as when your child usually pees or poos
- understand your child’s natural routine and signs that they need to go
- plan the best times to try sitting on the toilet
- share useful information with health professionals, teachers or therapists
Introduce the potty
There are things you can do to help introduce your child to the toilet or potty before you start training.
For example, you could use:
- language and prompts to help them understand toileting - for example, Lámh sign
- social stories or visual sequence to explain the steps of toileting
- a teddy or doll to show how the toy might use the toilet
- an object to show it is time to go to the toilet - for example, hand them a toilet roll
Make it fun
Let your child pick out new underwear or a potty in their favourite colour. Add fun stickers to the potty together.
Use a story that involves your child. For example, include things that they are interested in or that motivates them.
Things to get
You may need to get some things before you start toilet training, such as:
- an insert toilet seat or potty
- suitable clothes
Toilet or potty
Decide whether to use a potty or the toilet.
Whatever you decide, you are likely to need a portable option for when you go out.
If you are using a potty, bring the potty. If you are using the toilet, you may need to bring a step or insert toilet seat that fits into a regular toilet seat.
Suitable clothes
Choose trousers:
- with an elasticated waist
- loose enough to pull up and down easily
Remember to have plenty of spare clothes available, as there may be accidents.
Where to keep the potty
Decide where to keep the potty. The bathroom is probably best, as children learn by association. For example, they may link the bathroom with doing a pee or poo. Keep the toilet roll within their reach.
Keep visuals nearby
Keep the visuals where your child can see them. This can help them learn the steps of toileting.
This content was adapted from information provided by Children's Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) in Dublin South, Kildare and West Wicklow.