What do we mean by 'toilet training'?
Toilet training helps children:
When should you start toilet training?
Look for signs that your child is ready to use the potty or toilet. These might include:
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
Once you start
Bowel Movements
Smearing
Children who find it hard to communicate
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: