Ok, so you are ready to take the plunge and start toilet training? Fantastic! It’s a big step but we believe in you! Hopefully you have completed some of our preparation steps to help start the process. Click here to read more about this and review your free “little wins checklist” to celebrate all the steps your child can already do.
Also remember it’s ok to take a break from toilet training if things don’t go as smoothly as hoped. This happens! Sometimes a break is just what your child (and you!) needs.
When should I get my child to sit on the toilet?
Let’s start by talking about timing when to take your child to sit on the potty / toilet. The best times are:
- 20 minutes after eating (nothing like some food/ drink entering our stomach to encourage a poo or wee to come out!)
- when they wake in the morning
- after a nap.
- be a detective and notice if there seems to be a consistent time your child needs a nappy change. This is a great clue to take them to the potty/ toilet just before this.
These are times when children are most likely to do a wee or poo- let’s make the most of it!
How long should my child sit on the potty or toilet?
At first, your child may only like to sit for a few seconds. This is okay. Over time you can work up to a maximum of 5 minutes. You can try reading their toilet story or blowing some bubbles while you wait. During this time we are trying to support your child to feel relaxed (and hopefully release a wee or poo!). We never want to force a child to stay sitting on the toilet.
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