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NHS - When should we start Potty Training

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NHS - When should we start Potty Training

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ERIC - Children who will only poo in a nappy...

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ERIC - Children who will only poo in a nappy...

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ERIC - When its Time To Go Story (4-7yrs)

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ERIC - When its Time To Go Story (4-7yrs)

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Andrex - Toilet Training for Children with Additional Needs

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Andrex - Toilet Training for Children with Additional Needs

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Toilet training for special needs children | GoTime | Andrex®

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Find valuable resources for toilet training children with special needs. This guide offers tips and support for parents navigating challenges during the journey.

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Use these top tips to help toilet train your child at night with advice from parenting expert, Fi Star-Stone.

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Potty training can be stressful at times, so take a look at our top tips that might make potty training your little one a little easier.

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BBC - Tiny Happy People - Potty Training Children with Additional Needs

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BBC - Tiny Happy People - Potty Training Children with Additional Needs

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Potty Training Children with Additional Needs

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ERIC, the children’s bladder and bowel charity, discuss various tips and tricks to aid with potty training young children with SEND, including speech delay and autism.

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9 mins read

All children learn to use the potty or toilet at a different stage in their life. Most children start to show an interest in moving on to a potty or toilet at about two years old. If your child has a physical or learning disability they may not be ready to start until they are older. On this page we explain how to start toilet training and what you can do to deal with common issues.

What do we mean by 'toilet training'

Toilet training helps children:

Recognise the need to go to the toilet

Control the need

Communicate the need

Complete the toilet sequence as far as they are able

We are aiming for a child who is able to:

Pull their underwear down

Get onto the toilet

Sit on the toilet have a wee/poo

Wipe themselves

Get off the toilet and pull their underwear up

Flush the toilet and wash and dry hands

When should you start toilet training?

Look for signs that your child is ready to use the potty or toilet. These might include:

Awareness of passing urine or having a bowel movement

Showing discomfort when a nappy is wet or soiled

Waking from a daytime sleep with a dry nappy

Showing an interest in a potty or the toilet

What if your child does not show these signs?

If your child's condition means that they are not showing any of these signs, you should discuss it with one of the professionals involved with your child's needs. This could be the health visitor, community nurse, occupational therapist, paediatrician, teacher, teaching assistant or school nurse.

Before starting

Choose a time when you can spend a lot of time with your child, your child seems happy and there are no major distractions or stressful events such as starting nursery or moving from a cot to a bed. Make sure the time you choose fits in with you as well - perhaps when there is someone else to help you if this is possible.

It may take some time for a child to learn, so make sure that toilet training can be carried out in the other places your child visits such as the playgroup, nursery, or school. You will need to be sure that any one-to-one workers contribute to the toileting plan.

Tips before starting

Look at the times your child is most likely to use the toilet, for example after meals, when they wake up from a sleep. It is worth making a chart for a few weeks to establish any patterns.

Plan a routine you can stick to until it becomes established.

Make sure your child can sit on the toilet or potty comfortably and without any fear of falling off. The child should be able to place their feet flat on the floor or foot step.

There are various toilet seats and steps available from retail outlets.

If your child has difficulty sitting, an occupational therapist should be able to help with equipment and check whether the toilet needs to be adapted so it is more comfortable.

Make sure you change the child in the toilet so that they get used to the toilet as a place where wee and poo happens.

Try to make the bathroom as welcoming as possible. You could put stickers on the walls to make it an exciting place to be.

Once you start

Be patient - don't expect instant results.

Do not restrict fluid intake - plenty of drinks should be given so that the need to go to the toilet becomes familiar.

A healthy diet with plenty of fibre, for example brown bread, fruit, Weetabix - helps bowel movements to be soft and easy to pass.

Take your child to the toilet at the times you expect they may need to go - refer to the chart you have made.

Avoid taking your child too frequently. If they have just used the toilet, they will not need to visit for at least one hour.

Keep to the planned routine as much as you can.

Do not show any signs of concern - it will make your child feel anxious.

Remember there are several steps in the whole process and each one needs to be reached - they may not all happen at once.

If your child is reluctant to sit still, you could sing some songs or read a book with them just for a few minutes. Never keep your child on the potty or toilet for more than five minutes.

If your child is older and too big for a potty and still not showing interest in using the toilet then make sure they visit the toilet area regularly.

You may need to put a favourite book, picture or toy next to the toilet or play a favourite piece of music to encourage them to come into the room.

Make sure all toileting needs occur in the toilet so that your child associates the changing of nappies and pants with the toilet area.

Praise your child first for showing an interest in the potty or toilet, then for using the potty - every small step should be rewarded with praise or stickers.

Make sure your child sees you washing your hands after wiping them so it becomes part of the process of using the toilet.

Let your child get used to the routine of washing their hands after being on the potty or toilet.

Bowel movement

Sit your child on the toilet or potty when you think they are likely to have a bowel movement and encourage them to push down gently. To encourage this, try making your child laugh or to blow into a toy or whistle.

If nothing happens, say nothing and try again a bit later.

If it is acceptable to your family, take your child into the toilet when you or family members go, to show the child what is expected. It may take much longer than with other children, so be patient.

Smearing

Some children with learning disabilities smear their faeces after going to the toilet. This could be a child has not understood the process of wiping with paper. Others enjoy the feel of the faeces, and providing them with an alternative activity such as play dough can resolve the situation.

Some will use it as a way of getting attention, because they are extremely upset and agitated., or because they have learnt they are rewarded for such behaviour by being given a nice warm bath.

If your child smears:

Try to stay calm

Avoid giving them lots of attention as a result of their behaviour

Reinforce good behaviour by giving them lots of praise when they carry out other activities well

Try to see if there is a pattern to their behaviour, as it might help you understand why they are doing it

Seek advice from a professional such as a nurse, health visitor, occupational therapist or psychologist on dealing with it

Set a period of time to try any strategies, and if nothing happens, wait for a while before starting again

Children who find it hard to communicate

Make sure your child can communicate to you when they need to use the toilet and that they know where the toilet or potty is and can get in and out of that room easily.

Some children who are able to speak will be able to use words. Others may not be able to ask to use the toilet and may need to use another system, such as a signing system like Makaton or a symbol. Other children may be able to use a photograph or object, such as a roll of toilet paper.

Make it fun - find a special toy, which your child only uses when in the toilet - this will help them to associate going to the toilet with fun and not stress.

If your child needs to be cleaned, make sure that people working with them know this should be done in a private bathroom area in an age - appropriate way. It is not acceptable for a physically able young person to be 'changed' whilst lying down.

If your child takes a long time to learn to use the toilet

Try to get clothes that are easy to wear, change, and wash.

Items such as large size nappies, waterproof mattress covers and covers for duvets and pillows may be available from the continence service, when your child is three or four- ask your health visitor. If not, you can get them from larger chemists.

If your child is older, it is often you as their parents who understands their needs, and you may be able to devise your own strategies.

Do not despair. Try to speak with other parents for support, advice and tips.

If your child is having difficulty using the toilet

Speak to a doctor to check for physical problems if your child is having difficulty in learning to use the toilet.

Some children, particularly those with profound and multiple difficulties, may not be able to use the toilet on their own, but will need to have a toileting programme which will ensure their needs are treated with respect. Ask your health visitor or community nurse for advice.

All children are different and the way they learn to use the toilet may be linked with the specific condition they have. It is a good idea to get in touch with the relevant support groups to get advice from people who have more experience.

Getting specialist help

Your health visitor can give advice on toilet training and we can send you a parent guide on this topic. They might refer you to:

A continence advisor to give you advice and practical help if your child is incontinent.

A paediatrician to check for medical reasons why your child might be finding this difficult.

A clinical psychologist to give advice on how to encourage your child to use the toilet.

If your child requires nappies over the age of three the NHS can sometimes help by providing nappies and incontinence equipment. Your health visitor or GP can tell you more about this service.

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9 mins read All children learn to use the potty or toilet at a different stage in their life. Most children start to show an interest in moving on to a potty or toilet at about two years old. If your child has a physical or learning disability they may not be ready to start until they are older.

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How can I use this PAW Patrol Toilet Training Chart?

Are you looking for a way to motivate your little ones to potty-train? If so, you'll love our colourful PAW Patrol Toilet Training Chart. Celebrate milestones and watch your child's confidence grow with the help of the PAW Patrol pups.

We've joined forces with Paramount to bring you this colourful reward chart featuring everyone's favourite team of heroic pups! The engaging chart allows your little ones to celebrate important steps, including using toilet paper, flushing the toilet, and washing their hands. It's the perfect tool for parents navigating the difficult toilet training journey.

To use this PAW Patrol Toilet Training Chart, simply sign in and download by clicking on the green button above. You'll instantly receive an eye-catching chart for free to display at home. You'll also download a lovely set of colourful stickers containing children's favourite PAW Patrol characters, including Chase, Marshall, Skye, Rubble, and Zuma. It's a wonderful way to make toilet training fun and empower your little ones on their journey.

If you liked this, you can check out our other PAW Patrol Reward Chart here!

What other PAW Patrol resources can I use with my young children?

Are your little ones big fans of PAW Patrol? If so, they'll love our collection of exciting PAW Patrol activities, created in collaboration with Paramount. We have everything from interactive games to storytelling tools. There are so many to choose from! Here are just a few that we think you'll enjoy:

You can also learn more about the PAW Patrol heroes here, and watch them in action in the video below!

Top Toilet Training Tips:

Follow the Signs: Look for signs your child is ready, like staying dry for longer stretches or showing interest in the toilet.

Make it Fun: Choose a brightly coloured potty or toilet seat with their favourite characters, like the PAW Patrol pups!

Consistency is Key: Set a routine and regular potty times throughout the day, even if they don't go every time.

Positive Reinforcement: Accidents happen! Celebrate successes with praise and a reward system like our PAW Patrol Toilet Training Chart.

Be Patient: Every child learns at their own pace. There will be setbacks, so stay calm, positive, and offer encouragement.

The above video may be from a third-party source. We accept no responsibility for any videos from third-party sources. Please let us know if the video is no longer working.

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PAW Patrol: Toilet Training Reward Chart

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Are you looking for a way to motivate your little ones to potty-train? If so, you'll love our colourful PAW Patrol Toilet Training Chart. Celebrate milestones and watch your child's confidence grow with the help of the PAW Patrol pups. We've joined forces with Paramount to bring you this colourful reward chart featuring everyone's favourite team of heroic pups!

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Toilet Train Song 🎵 | Potty Training Help | Bing: Music & Songs | Bing English

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Hey Duggee Songs | Potty Training Song | CBeebies

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Following the steps and tips in our Go Potty™ method should avoid many common potty training problems. However, all children are individuals. Some adapt to learning new skills without any problems, whilst others take longer and have some problems along the way. Don't forget that accidents are an important and normal part of the learning process.

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Potty Training Song | CoComelon Nursery Rhymes & Kids Songs

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Get tips on common potty training problems and how you can help your child.

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Learn the signs that your child may be ready to start potty training, and how to teach your child to use a potty.

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Nap times

Once your child has stopped using nappies in the daytime, it's time to think about nap times.

Learning to sleep without a nappy on at naptime and use the potty when they wake up, will help prepare your child for being dry at night.

Tips for managing nappy-free nap times:

Just before nap time, help your child use the potty or toilet, so they are more likely to stay dry.

When you notice the nappy is staying dry at least some of the time, stop using a nappy at nap time.

Accidents are common during the first few months. Use a waterproof sheet or similar underneath your child, to protect their sleep area.

Lots of children need to use the potty when they wake so help them to do this.

Using praise and rewards to motivate your child

Research shows that rewards such as sweets or sticker charts may help your child initially, but they can stop working quickly.

For most children, encouraging and supporting them to be as independent as possible is the best way to motivate them.

Tips for keeping your child motivated:

Give your child plenty of encouragement and praise their efforts. When your child uses the potty or manages to stay dry, even if it's just for a short time, tell them how pleased you are.

Try to stay calm when accidents happen and do not make a big fuss.

Give your child the opportunity to do things for themselves as far as possible. This will help them to feel in control, positive and relaxed about the process.

Use favourite toys, books or songs to help them feel comfortable on the potty.

Try to avoid prompting or asking your child too often. Instead, wait until you think they need to go and then direct them gently, e.g. "it's toilet time" or "let's get that wee/poo in the potty!"

Be clear, confident and consistent so your child knows what you are asking them to do.

Managing potty training accidents

It is normal to have lots of accidents at the beginning and they are an important part of the learning process. This is a big step for your child, so be patient and encourage them.

Tips for managing accidents:

When your child has an accident, clean it up together and remind them to use the potty next time.

Do not shame or punish your child about accidents, as stress and upset can make it harder for you and your child to learn together.

It's important not to pretend an accident hasn't happened. Help them get clean and dry as soon as possible and involve your child in this process. Gently explain that you want them to use the potty next time.

Potty training out and about

When you first stop using nappies, choose a time when you can stay home with your child for a few days, so you can do some one to one learning with them.

Tips to make your first trips out easier to manage:

Don't forget your potty and spares of everything just in case!

Make trips out short to begin with.

Dress your child in clothes that are easy for them to push down and pull up again.

Avoid putting your child back in a pull up or nappy for outings. This will confuse them and undo all that learning.

A travel potty and washable car seat cover can come in handy.

Using the toilet away from home is a good thing for your child to get used to. Talk to them about things like how the flush at the supermarket is different from the one at home or nursery for example.

We have an excellent range of products to help with this stage including portable potties and car seat covers.

Potty training at nursery & pre-school

Many children spend part of their day being looked after by someone other than you and away from home.

For potty training to go well, your child needs a consistent approach to help them learn what they need to do whether they're at home or in childcare.

As soon as your child starts attending the setting, communicate about their bladder and bowel health. Ask the staff to tell you about the child's poos, so you can keep track and avoid constipation.

Find out what they are offered to drink to you can supplement appropriately at the beginning and end of the session. If the setting will only offer water, and your child is reluctant to consume enough water, talk to staff. Offer to supply juice or squash for them to dilute; it is vital for your child to stay well hydrated when they are away from home.

Start conversations about potty practice as soon as your child can sit up. Settings may regard potty training as something to attempt when the child is older; share this information so they too can see the benefits of potty practice.

When you are thinking about stopping using nappies, plan with the staff. Agree dates together with your child's caregivers so everyone is ready to support them. Time what you are doing at home to fit in with the setting.

Avoid starting to wear pants when the child is about to change rooms at nursery - that will be a big enough upheaval for them.

Tell the staff about the language you use at home for wee and poo.

Talk to the staff at the beginning and end of each session so everyone knows how things are going both at the setting and back at home. Use our potty training record so staff can keep track of their progress.

More information and free resources for childcare settings to support potty learning.
Getting dry at night

The age at which children become dry at night varies hugely. For some, it follows on quite quickly after achieving daytime dryness. For others, the wetting carries on after the age of 5 and treatment will be advised.

It is not your child's fault if they wet during sleep.

There are however lots of things you can do to gradually work towards night time dryness including:

Help your child get into the habit of using the potty or toilet at bedtime.

As well as making sure they are drinking plenty during the daytime, work on a good bedtime drinking routine as well. STOP drinks one hour before bedtime, every night, and no more after that till morning. Our Wee Checker has information on how much children should drink for their age.

Prepare your child for sleep. Unwind with a book or listen to music with the lights turned low. NO screens - so no TV, iPad, computer games in the hour before sleep, or the brain will get the wrong message!

Avoid lifting - in other words waking your child to take them to the toilet - if you want to work on stopping bedwetting. It might keep the bed dry, but it encourages the child to wee during sleep as they don't really wake up.

If your child is still wetting the bed when they are 5, see our Advice for Children with Night Time Wetting factsheet for more information and help.

Common potty training problems

Taking your time leading your child through the preparation and practice stages should help to avoid the most common potty training problems.

If you feel as though it's all gone wrong and they're just not getting it, it's ok to stop, go back to the preparation stage and start again.

Could they be constipated?

Constipation affects 1 in 3 children and is especially common in under 5s. Your child may be struggling because they have some underlying constipation that was there before you started potty training.

So stop, treat the constipation and then try stopping the nappies again once it is all under control. Carry on with potty practice - this in itself is an important part of constipation treatment.
Are they drinking enough?
Sometime the bladder misbehaves and we realise that our child is simply not drinking enough.

Once again, you don't have to go right back to the beginning, but go back to the potty practice stage while you increase your child's fluid intake.

Try not to panic if it seems as if they just aren't getting it. Some children take longer to learn, and just need more time.

Reassure your child that their wees and poos will learn to go in the potty, they just need more practice!

Get more information and help with common potty training problems.

FAQs

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Potty training: how to start & best age to potty train - ERIC

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We've broken down potty training into 3 easy steps: preparation, practice and perfecting those skills! Use our step by step guide to help your toddler become toilet trained.

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Princess Polly's Potty | Potty Training Video For Toddlers | Story Time

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Pirate Pete's Potty | Potty Training Video For Toddlers | Story Time