This can seem to be a big task, especially with lots of advice around, but try to relax your child will learn to use the toilet when they are ready. Most children will be using the potty through the day between two and four years old and staying dry through the night by eight years old. It is easier to urinate than to pass a bowel movement, so many children will wait until they have a nappy on during a sleep to pass a bowel movement, this is normal and not a cause for concern. Try not to rush toilet training, you cannot force it, adapting to using the potty or toilet usually takes up to four weeks, but can take several months. Some children will continue to have accidents a year or more later, but do not worry all children are different. If your child refuses they may not be ready, nagging or punishing them will not help.

When is your child ready?

When your child can say they are wet or soiled, or want to use the toilet
When your child can wait or control the urge to wet or soil
When your child shows an interest in the toilet
When your child is able to pull up their own pants

Getting ready to start!

Keep a note of when your child wets or soils their nappy
Get all the resources needed, potty toilet ring stool etc
Only use nappies when your child is sleeping
Put your child in to pants or training pants
Dress your child in loose easy to take off clothing
Use prompts to talk with your child about using the toilet and the potty, let them watch you use the bathroom, watching what you do as you talk through what you are doing too

When to begin!

Choose a time to start when you are able to be consistent with your daily routine for at least a few days
Explain how to use the potty or toilet
give your child simple steps to follow

Tell mummy or daddy
Go to the bathroom
Take off your pants
Sit on the toilet/potty
Try and do a wee or poo (use language you are comfortable with and stick to it)
Wipe yourself or ask for help
Flush the toilet
Wash your hands

Other tips!

Give your child plenty to drink
Ask your child if they need to go (watch for signs)
Encourage your child to sit on the potty or toilet at times they are likely to go (first thing in the morning)
Teach your child to wash their hands
Encourage them! praise their progress and success, set up a reward chart/system
check with any childcare which methods they are using and explain how you are doing it
If the process becomes upsetting, stop, wait a few weeks and try again

Do not…

Start training if you child is sick or unwell
Start training if there is any family stress
Start training if there are any major changes in family routine