Potty Training

[NE90]

Hi All,

I'm after some no judgement advice! My 3 year old son still isn't potty trained and I'm at a loss on what to do.

I have a 5 year old son who was late to potty train but he just got it and it wasn't really an issue! He was fully trained before he started nursery school.

My 3 year old was prem and late to his previous milestones so I don't know if that has anything to do with it.

The issue I'm having is that he won't tell me when he needs a wee, so I can't get him to a potty. If I leave him with no nappy...because he won't tell me, he just wees himself. If I put him to sit on the potty he just freaks out and screams and cries.

My eldest has shown him and explained over and over again but nothing is working.

He starts part time nursery in 2 weeks and I'm really disappointed he isn't trained yet. Due to the fact that my eldest just got it with no issues.... I'm a little lost on what to do here.

Thank you loads 😊 xx

[Running79]

my daughter is 3 in November, I just put her in pants, she’s only had a few accidents as they don’t like the feeling of being wet on their skin . Also we had a potty training sticker chart, of her favourite TV show , every time she did something on the chart or washed her hands after she got a sticker, so she was keen to earn the stickers. It was short lived with her, but had the desired effect as she just goes on the pot now.

If she gets distracted she has had the occasional dribble but realised it’s happening and gone on the pot

[Twiglet2]

my 3 year old preferred the actual toilet or standing up to pre in the potty- wouldn’t go on the potty at all first. We got little steps to attach to our actual toilet and just made a game of going up and down them and sitting there at first with no pressure of a pee. Next thing we knew he was doing it himself. Also we found that if we let him ‘free’ like all the books etc suggest he just enjoyed peeing on the floor but I guess that’s all part of the learning! They do just ‘click’ though like you said and it might be that he needs to see the other ‘big boys’ at nursery doing it to help him. As nursery helped our wee guy a LOT once we told them we were trying (he’s been at nursery since 11 months but they don’t potty train until we say we are doing it too and feel ready) dont beat yourself up he will get it! My friends wee one is 1 month older than mine and has just potty trained after a few weeks in the big class at nursery and no one batted an eyelid it’s not an issue for the nursery, they all get it eventually 🤗

[Whimbrel]

Hi, try not to worry too much as each child is different. Your child will have plenty of time to train before he starts reception. Worth contacting your local Healthy Child Team or Health Visitors to get some advice/support. Also, the nursery will have advice too. All the best! x

[Lou228]

My little girl struggled to potty training when my eldest also just picked it up! She preferred the toilet to the potty and the health visitor suggested she blow bubbles when sitting on the potty. To try reduce the fear and that blowing motion can also encourage the kids to wee whilst sat there. I'm sure he will start using the potty when he is ready though! Good luck x

[Portcullis]

Try letting him run around at home unclothed from the waist down. This can work surprisingly quickly.

[Prembabymum777]

Sorry if this isn't a useful comment but my little boy was premature and he is nearly 4 and I'm no where near with him sitting on the potty. I have been trying for over a year and it's a complete refusal to sit on the potty or toilet. I have tried multiple potties and seats. He won't even let me leave his nappies off as he knows what I am trying to do! He has just started at preschool and they have said they'll try after half term when he's settled in a little bit so they have been super supportive.

Just so you know you are not alone.