When did you start toilet training?

[MaddieHU]

What hints and tips do you have that could help?

[Krustyc2]

We have twins and our girl was toilet trained just before their 3rd birthday and our boy is 3yrs 3months and not interested at all.

Just taking each day as it comes. If he shows any interest we go with it if not we just keep talking about it and reading our pirate Pete potty book!!

[Bonbonii]

We've had a potty around since about 14 months, with a few successful wees but haven't started proper training yet at 20months

[Pip70]

Toilet training was not a problem because we used cloth nappies and it was easy as my daughter quickly associated that wet nappies were uncomfortable! Cloth nappies unlike disposable have the feeling of wetness so potty training was much easier. We also used cloth pull-ups for the odd accident!

[JogOffc25k]

I honestly can't remember! I think they were both about 2. My younger child was much quicker to be accident free as he wanted to be like his big bro.

[Hbazzle]

We made several attempts when little girl was 2 but she just wasn’t interested. A couple of potty poops and she was scared out of doing it again! Once she’d turned 3 we tried again without pressure. Always having a potty on hand. Now she’s 3 and a half and uses the loo/potty during the day but still wears nappies at night. There is always so much pressure to accomplish goals when little ones are small. Sometimes we just need to let them do things in their own time. 👍

[SVBO]

Sorry, I don’t remember when I first started potty training, probably around 10 months as I remember it was a summer and it was easy to remove nappies and let my daughter run free in the garden. I also remember that I bought talking potty - which was a fan thing for her to play with...

[Cringlecat]

I started once my child showed an interest in the toilet and could tell me they were doing a wee or pooping. I waited for the summer as I don't have a tumble dryer.

I planned a week where I was at home rather than expecting nursery to cover 3 days, and we sat child1 on a potty about every hour. Child 2 would sit on potty all day if allowed so we got a step and a booster seat to sit on the big toilet.

[RustyM]

Our son is a typical boy, why have a potty when you can wee yourself! He will be 3 in February and doesn't have any interest whatsoever. He will when he's ready

[Mum35]

I have a 6 year old and a 2 years 9 month old. Each of my boys are different in the way they responded / respond to toilet training, but also the way I have. With my first I could spend all my energy on it. We basically stayed home for 2 weeks then were able to walk everywhere out and about so it was very quick and he was totally done by 2 and a half and trained through the night by 3 years old. Totally happy and ready for it. My 2 nearly 3 year old on the other hand seems ready but the reality is life is more difficult. I have to take my older boy to school and various clubs and, since we now live in the country, we have to drive everywhere. This makes it a lot harder for me to be consistent with toilet training (which I think is the key) and I give up more easily and get more frustrated because I’m also more tired handling 2 very energetic boys. My first son also spoke by 2 years and was able to tell me or even shout out “I need a wee” whereas my 2nd son signs beautifully and happily make noises but doesn’t yet speak. He is therefore less vocal and clear about needing the toilet which results when we have given toilet training a go - more accidents and frustration for all of us. I think having carpets this time around also leads to more frustration. Definitely recommend having floors that can be easily wiped up!

[Milkymoo]

I started just before 2 with both my son's. What I would suggest is do the daytime and nighttime training at the same time. Once the nappies go you never put one back on even at night. Also leave them with no pants or bottoms on at night so they know they aren't wearing anything then they know not to do it in their sleep subconsciously

[Hunstanton]

Once you have made the decision to start, do not waver ! Stick to a plan and you should be there in about 10 days. It does get a bit messy, but well worth it. Don't plan to have a lot of people to your house or trips out if you can as this will only extend the process. Use lots of praise and encouragement

[Chex]

My three elder children were toilet trained during the day between the ages of two & three, & completely dry at night approx six months later. With my fourth child, she just wasn’t ready at those ages.

She seemed to have a fear of not having her nappy on, & would not do a poo unless she had one on & also we would have to leave the room until she had finished or she would hold it. Pull up pants are a Godsend during potty or toilet training, & all children do get there in there in the end.

Sometimes I think there is a lot of pressure to toilet train early, there certainly was years ago, but mistakes can easily put the children off. As a parent you definitely know when your child is ready & once they are, toilet training is very quick & easy.

[Tudorkat]

Our boy has additional needs so we had to do a very regimented route of no nappies and toilet every 20 mins. We had waited and waited but no signs of readiness and school was starting in September. We decided we had to force the issue, so got a referral from Health Visitor to confidence team. First thing we were told was that you absolutely should not wait for signs if your child has additional needs, as they may never show any. But they could still be trained, and this would also trigger lots of reflexes and brain pathways to help other development.

The Eric.org.uk website was really useful.

[Nancy_Palmer]

My experience is similar. My children started training between two and three years too. At first, it was difficult for both of them, but fortunately, we have installed a new toilet with universal height. I think it was similar to one of these sanitaryreview.com/toto-toi... and it was really comfortable for kids. I heard so many stories when kids were afraid of huge toilets and that's understandable.

[Babypigeon Community Ambassador]

Hi have you started yet as I see this post was some time ago. If so hows it going?

I started as soon as my daughter could sit up around 6 months it was more about her getting used to it and she struggled going for a poo really bad straining so this position was better shes now 14 months and going to start doing it for real not convinced it will be great and like others will take it one day at a time.

Would be lovely to hear how you got on