A GUIDE TO TACKLING LOO/POTTY TRAINING FOR TODDLERS

For anyone wanting some reassurance and tips and tricks when it comes to training the toddlers in the loo/potty department.

Writing has taken a back foot of late, because as well as dealing with the Easter festivities we have also been tackling potty training in our house. Or rather ‘loo training’. After a false start last spring (I mistakenly thought Big Bee was ready and I think there was some parental pressure and self induced anxiety at play), we knew that it was time as her nappies were remaining dry for 2 hours or more, she was able to pull her trousers off and she could now communicate verbally about her body sensations.

A wee with a view

Whilst I felt trepidation about tackling it all over again, I knew that she was ready so I just had to stuck it up and get on with it. Other parents had survived it, so could I! We decided to skip the potty stage as she was a little older, and we thought that we would just be creating another stage in doing so. We blocked off a week in the diary to ensure we could focus solely on it and we spoke a lot about the upcoming training with Big Bee. Whenever I would use the loo I would talk through the process too, so that she was familiar with it and she would would watch in fascination. We also picked a Peppa Pig themed loo seat for a Peppa Pig fan so that we could talk about going to see Peppa when we needed a wee/poo, and involved her in the process of picking her new knickers. We regularly talk about the different characters and animals on them.

We started bare-bottomed and it wasn’t particularly warm when we started, so we layered up on the top and added long socks. A friend mentioned cutting some old leggings to create leg warmers which I thought was a good idea, but Big Bee seemed pretty content with her long socks. We had lots of new toys and activities to keep us occupied for the week - the mid-morning discos went down a treat!

On day 1 Big Bee had 2 successful wees on the loo and they happened at the end of the day. Day 2 was a bare-bottomed day and she had a 100% success rate. On day 3 I introduced knickers (based on recommendations) and we had some accidents, and when I researched into it I came to understand that muscle memory was at play, and that there was some unlearning to do. So, for the rest of day 3 and 4 we went back to being bare-bottomed and we went back to having successful wees and poos on the loo. Knickers were then introduced on day 5 with success and then on day 6 she asked for her trousers, and they were introduced successfully. For the day naps we decided to leave off the nappies, as it made it much easier for her to understand that day time was for knickers and night time was for nappies.

We have chosen to do night-time training when Big Bee is older as when researching she will not, at her age, be physiologically developed for reasons to do with bladder capacity, vasopressin secretion and sleep arousability .

Peppa Pig making an appearance in our bathroom!

I know that it's a huge achievement for children when they complete this stage, but oh my word, it has felt like such a big milestone for us too. Although it was exhausting and by no means easy, I weirdly enjoyed the uninterrupted time with both Big Bee and Little Bee and being completely present with no other commitments booked in and having to dash out the door to be here, there and everywhere. Below I have documented my top learnings from our 'loo training' experience, but fundamentally I feel that the most important thing for your child (and you) is to be consistent in your approach. If your child has successfully dropped the nappies during the day, then try not to revert back to them when it's of convenience to adults e.g. child care or travelling. This can understandably send mixed messages and be confusing. You may have a few extra accidents to clear up, but it will be worth it in the long run. You've got this!

So, here are my 'Top Tips' before you embark on the same journey:

• Read a recommended book on potty training to equip yourself with knowledge and prepare practically. I read ‘The Gentle Potty Training Book’ by Sarah Ockwell-Smith, as suggested by a friend.

• My biggest tip is to block out a chunk of time in the diary (I would personally recommend a week to take the pressure off). Ideally for the week after don't travel too far away from home.

• Read books as a family to introduce the concept of potty training to your little one e.g. No More Nappies

• Involve your little one in the process of buying some new pants (buy lots!). We found the M&S ones to be good value for money and quality, but Big Bee picked some Peppa Pig ones from Next that she loves too.

• Purchase some puppy mats and towels for the sofa and carpet. If you are travelling not long after completing potty training then I would recommend some absorbent car seat protectors for your child's car seat.

• Make sure that you have some spare waterproof mattresses for the day naps.

• We purchased a travel potty, the penguin 'My Carry Potty', to have on hand for trips to the park and shops etc. But we also have a Potette plus 2-in-1 compact travel potty that doubles up as a potty and seat for the loo.

• Get yourself a cartoon character loo seat and step for the bathroom. It really helped with encouraging Big Bee to go to the loo to see Peppa (in our instance), and the step helps with reaching the loo and the sink when washing hands.

• The first couple of days can be rather intense and you want to be able to give them your undivided attention. If you have another little one in tow, I would recommend having some back-up to support you if possible.

• You're likely to be at home for some time, so I would have some fun activities to do during the first few days or have some new toys on hand.

• We set out not wanting to do a reward chart with Big Bee, but as we were struggling to get her to engage at first we resorted to using stickers as a reward. I quickly whipped up a personalised chart and a bag of stickers (including some new fancy Peppa Pig stickers) and 'hey presto' it worked a treat. So, after being initially hesitant in using them, I now feel that they have a place if they work for your circumstances.

• Purchase some long socks to keep their legs warm or buy some cheap leggings that you don't mind turning into leg warmers.

• Have some books by the loo when it comes to poo o'clock.

• If you don't have them already, some garden clogs work a treat for wearing in the garden because if they get wet then they can be rinsed and worn straight after. Next do a wide variety of them at an affordable price.