How to potty-train your child in a week or less

You will need to be patient with your child-don’t force him in to potty-training. When your child shows signs that she’s ready to use the potty, help and encourage her. When this happens, she’ll achieve control quite quickly, and without trouble and will remain confident and happy.

A baby finds it easier to achieve control over bowel movements first- then the bladder.

Ideas for Potty Training:

First three days:

For the first two days, let your child eat, drink and play as normal. Try this for a few hours-in the mornings and in the evenings, put your child on the pot after every 15 minutes. At the end of the session, put the diaper back on the baby. Then go about your daily chores.

On the third day, go for an all-day session. By this time, your baby will be used to the potty and will try to sit on it on his own.

Reward him:

Every time your child uses the potty instead of the diaper, reward him. Be creative with your rewards. Give things like hand stickers, a small bead necklace for a girl, fruit loops, a day out at your child’s favourite play area etc.

Read potty themed stories:

You will find a lot of books with potty themes. Read these stories to your child. Clap with him in the end.

Stories are a great way to encourage your child to use the potty.

In the bathroom:

Take your baby to the bathroom, undress him and let him do his job. If he does it on the floor, teach him to use toilet paper to pick up the faeces and put it in the pot. Make a drama out of washing his bottom, drying him and flushing the pot.

Let your child’s teacher know that you are potty- training your toddler.

When travelling, carry a portable potty with a tight lid. If he has to go urgently, he can do his job in the pot which can be covered with the lid and the contents emptied into the toilet pot as soon as possible. Carry spare clothes and toilet paper and of course water for hygiene purposes.

Night time:

Let your child wear diapers to start with. His last drink should be an hour before bedtime. As you reel in his bed time drinks, he’ll be able to sleep in underwear or in his night-suit.

Be positive:

Praise, encourage and reward your child if he does it right. Don’t scold or show disgust, if he does it wrong. He is still an infant- he has a long way to go in life!

If your child is ready to go to school—take him early on the first day of school. Hold his hand and visit the lavatory with him so that when the time comes and you’re not around, he’ll not be afraid to go with the school staff.

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