Potty training is a huge developmental milestone for any baby - and for parents ready to ditch nappy changing!
But how exactly does potty training work?
Whether you’re starting to potty train your baby or looking for what to expect when the time arrives, this guide will help you with preparing your baby - and yourself - for the experience, as well as providing some helpful tips and tricks to ease your baby into going potty independently in no time.
When should you start potty training?
The first question most parents have about potty training a baby is what age they should begin to do so. The answer is that potty training doesn’t come with a set timeframe: each baby is different and unique, and their potty schedule will be too. In terms of gender, many parents find girls take an earlier interest and are easier to potty train than boys, but this is not a hard and fast rule. What suits one baby may not suit another, something seasoned parents find even amongst siblings.
Statistics tell us that the average age in which babies are potty trained varies between 18 and 30 months, though some babies may learn this skill at a different pace. There is no ‘perfect’ age to begin the potty training process with your baby - they will come around to it all in their own time.
So how do you know if your baby is ready to take a step towards potty training?
Recognising signs of readiness
Many babies will start becoming interested in the potty as they age. After all, who wants to sit in a wet nappy? When your baby is beginning to give clues they are ready or interested in potty training, this is a good time to start.
These clues can include:
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Letting you know they have to pee before they go
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Telling you that their nappy needs to be changed
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Nappies staying drier for longer
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Hiding or fidgeting, indicating your baby needs to or is going to pee
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Asking questions about the toilet or having an interest when someone else goes
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Removing their own nappy, whether it is dry or soiled
Signs your baby is ready for potty training are not limited to these examples: children may show more nuanced signs that parents can pick up on - who knows your little one better than you?
If your baby isn’t showing any signs of being ready for the potty, don’t be discouraged! Some children never show signs of readiness, or may have additional support needs that mean these signs aren’t reflective of their desires.
You do not need to wait for your baby to give these signals to commence potty training, but you do need to be prepared.
Preparing for potty training
Learning to use the potty is a gradual process.
You can begin teaching your baby potty language early on, explaining the concept of a dirty nappy and the difference between urine and stool. This can work best during nappy changing, or by prompting them with questions like “Is your nappy dirty?” or “Do you need a nappy change?”
The next step is finding the perfect potty. The Shnuggle Potty has an ergonomic design that promotes ideal potty posture and is both comfortable and practical for your baby during this big transition. The potty has been created so it can be sat on either way, meaning your little one doesn’t have to worry about having it the right way during a bathroom emergency. Let your baby sit on the potty even if you aren’t actively encouraging them to use it: they should get used to the feeling of sitting on the potty so they can be comfortable when the time comes to use it.
Some parents prefer to transition from nappies directly to using the toilet rather than a designated potty area. For this we recommend the Shnuggle Step Stool to make accessing the toilet easier for little legs - we don’t want them struggling to reach during crunch time. Encouraging good hygiene at this time is also important, and our step stool makes the sink accessible for hand-washing after a successful potty trip.
Preparation for potty training isn’t just about your baby - it’s critical that parents are also ready for this change. We don’t recommend beginning the potty training process during busy or transitional periods, such as moving house or getting ready to welcome a new baby. Children are vulnerable to their environment: they can pick up on your stress surrounding moving home, or go through a behavioural regression when a new baby comes into the picture. The ideal time to potty train is when parents have time and space to dedicate to it.
Potty training tips
Once you’re prepared, potty training can begin.
Children learn well through imitation and repetition, so these are the two important factors to keep in mind when you start this process. Babies love to copy us, and you can use this to your advantage! Demonstrative play on how you use the toilet or having them observe an older sibling can spur your baby to want to repeat this action.
Clothing is another important - and often overlooked - factor in potty training. Dress your baby in comfortable clothes that they will find easy to take on and off. Button up trousers or one-pieces may make them look adorable, but they’re hard to remove in a rush. It’s an avoidable toilet accident that can be prevented by making smart clothing choices. You may also prefer to have your baby stripped from the waist down in just training pants or a nappy. Rocking the Winnie the Pooh look can make things easier in the initial stages!
If your baby has shown any of the signs mentioned above, this can give you a helpful indicator of when it is best to try them on the potty. Being told your baby needs to pee is a lot easier than guessing when they have to go!
But when to put your baby on the potty doesn’t have to be guess work, even if they aren’t showing signs of needing to go. In the beginning it is helpful for both you and your little one to establish a potty routine.
Try heading to the potty:
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After waking up, either in the morning or from a nap
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After meal times
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If your baby hasn’t gone to the toilet in a while
It may be worthwhile in the initial stages of potty training to stick to a schedule, such as taking a trip to the potty every hour or every two hours. Routines are great for babies, and once they have a grasp on the concept of using the potty, they will seek to go there out of habit.
If you have a little boy, it is best to begin teaching him how to use the potty while seated. Allow him the time to get the hang of using the potty before graduating to standing up while peeing.
When taking your baby to try the potty, our best tip is to be encouraging! Lots of positive language and support makes using the potty a less daunting experience. After successful use of the potty, give your little one lots of praise - they’ve done something amazing! Even if they don’t have to go while on the potty, praise them for getting on and trying. It can be useful to have rewards as an incentive for proper potty usage, whether those rewards are a treat or something as simple as a star chart.
Managing potty accidents
Keep in mind: accidents are bound to happen, especially in the beginning.
Support your baby and try not to reprimand them for any mistakes they might make while learning how to use the potty. Following a potty schedule, dedicating time and attention to the endeavour and dressing in accessible clothes can help avoid accidents, but there is always a margin of error to be considered.
You may get away with a quick change of training pants, but it may be necessary to bathe your baby after a potty incident. The Shnuggle Toddler Bath Tub is the perfect solution for baby’s potty time messes. Don’t be too upset about the clean up - try and make bathtime a fun experience as well as potty training.
Potty training out of the home and at night
Learning to use the potty while out of your home is another challenge. Parents can experience a feeling of dread surrounding leaving the house during this period, worried about the possibility of accidents. But leaving your home with a potty trainee doesn’t need to be daunting!
Treat the potty training exactly the same while out and about as you do while at home. Keep to your schedule as much as possible - encouraging usage after sleep and meals, and if your little one hasn’t been in a while. Preparation is always key, and going outside is no different. The same techniques for accessible clothing apply, and it’s smart to pack a change of clothes to take with you in case of any accidents, as well as a potty to use if toilets aren’t available at short notice. Luckily, the Shnuggle Potty is perfect for travel usage, and easy to clean while on the move.
Keep in mind that it can take a while for your baby to be potty trained at night. While some children can graduate to night time dryness fairly quickly after training during the day, others might continue to be wet at night. Bed time might still include changing and a nappy bin for a while even after your little one is completely potty trained during the day. Encourage night time dryness by stopping fluid intake an hour before bedtime and taking your baby to use the potty before putting them down for the night.
You can shop our Shnuggle Potty here. Alternatively, you can check out our website to view our other baby change and bathing products.
For more on bathtime and baby changing, check out our articles below:
