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How did you toilet train your child?
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Just told him he's no longer a baby, only babies wear nappies, he's going to kinder next year and big kinder kids have to wear jocks. Next day he woke up and wanted to wear jocks and we've had no accidents and he's been fully trained including nights for 4 months. Mum of Lachlan 3 ½, Isabelle 2 ½
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For Jack I introduced it to him (no potty just toilet) and he watched mum and dad use it. He sat on it and that’s it. I didn’t push it at all. By 27mnths he was using it once n hr with accidents during the day. At 28 mnths he was telling us when he wanted the toilet but still poo'd in jocks. At 29mnths he takes himself to the toilet and uses it for wees and poos. I don’t ask him. I never force him to sit on it and never have. He wears jocks when we go out if there are toilets otherwise its Pull-ups. He wears pullups to bed during day (3hrs) and goes straight to toilet when wakes up. He still wets quite a lot at night so he is in nappies at night time still (30 mnths). Mum of Jack 2.5y, Emma 8 months.
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She initiated toilet training after lots of nappy free time outside and leaving the potty nearby. We often asked do you want to use the potty but never pushed her to. Then one day she was came up to me and said she wanted to wee in the potty. It took a bit longer for her to regularly wee in the potty. Mum of Rochelle 3.5yrs
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Well this might sound bad but I told my son that there was no nappies left (there was) and he needed to go toilet so he did all day and then it came to night time and i didn’t want to ruin it so I didn’t put a nappy on him he never wet the bed and from that day forward he went to the toilet all the time he is now 4 and he has never wet the bed !! Mum of Dylan 5 yrs, Jayden 2 12 yrs, Lochlan 1 yr
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I let her run around in undies and i followed her around the house - literally - all day, asking if she wanted to use the potty & putting her on the potty every hour - when i saw the signs i would make her run with me to the potty to try and 'catch it' and praise her when we did. Mum of Miss SPK 2.8 yrs Master TRK 13 mths
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we used rewards so every time they used the potty we gave them a tic tac or small lolly, for the first few weeks then slowly dropped the lollies out. encourage them to go every 30 minutes to start with. Mum of Kaylee 3, Zac 2, Tahlia 8 months
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I tried to get in tune with his toiletting habits, ie. what time he usually wee'd or pooed, how soon after eating/sleeping, and would sit him on the potty at these times. Mum 21month old(boy)
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We tried letting Daniel run around without a nappy for a week, but without success, so we waited another 6 months and tried again, but without interest by Daniel, just lots of cleaning up by me. We gave up. Even though we enrolled Daniel for preschool, kids are not allowed to attend until they can use a toilet. He could not so he missed out on the first 5 or 6 weeks. One day he said that he wanted to use the toilet like mummy, and that was it, he knew how to go, he had been taking it all in. I kept him in nappies for 3 or 4 weeks but without accident, so we put him in pants. We have only ever had accidents when he has been sick. Mum of Daniel 10y.o., Emily 23 months
Did you use pull ups and would you recommend them?
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Yes I did but he didn't need them really cause he had no accidents, just told him they were like jocks. I will use them again when my daughter is ready. Mum of Lachlan 3 ½, Isabelle 2 ½
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Yes I use them but only for naps. I recommend them for naps but not during day use if you are at home as my son refused blatantly to go to the toilet with them on. It was straight into undies right from the start. Mum of Jack 2.5y, Emma 8 months.
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We didn’t use them. If she had nappies on she will just wee in them, I felt pull-ups were probably the same. Mum of Rochelle 3.5yrs
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i did not with my first child, but i am with my second and yes it is easier for them to be more independent and be able to pull it up and down on their own. Mum of Dylan 5 yrs, Jayden 2 12 yrs, Lochlan 1 yr
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No. Mum of Dylan 5 yrs, Jayden 2 12 yrs, Lochlan 1 yr
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Yes. They are great. But I don't recommend them when u start potty training. We were doing really great - both pee and poo in the potty more and more but when I put her back in pull ups while at home - only for about a week - she went backwards and hasn't bounced back yet!!! Every day is a struggle now... Mum of Miss SPK 2.8 yrs Master TRK 13 mths
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no pull ups and not sure i would recommed unless the child was an older bed wetter i think it sends mixed messages still feels a bit like a nappy. Mum of Kaylee 3, Zac 2, Tahlia 8 months
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I use waterproof cloth training pants, as well as undies and non-waterproof cloth training pants - I like pull up training pants as they are similar to undies, but I think undies have made it easier to toilet train my son as it's obvious when he wees, ie. there's a puddle on the floor, all down his pants, etc. Pull ups are great if you don't want to be cleaning wee all day, or if you are going out. Mum 21month old(boy)
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We tried pullups, but the were not necessary because the velcro style tabs work over and over, they are great. Mum of Daniel 10y.o., Emily 23 months
Did you use rewards? What were they, when did you give them and did they work?
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No I don't but daycare gives stickers. Mum of Lachlan 3 ½, Isabelle 2 ½
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At the very start at 24mnths I encouraged him to sit on the toilet and he got a sticker. Once he got the hang of it I let him flush the toilet once he has done something in it...that’s his reward.Mum of Jack 2.5y, Emma 8 months.
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Not as such. Just lots of praise. We often called dad or grandma to tell them she had used the potty and for more praise. Mum of Rochelle 3.5yrs
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No. just lots of praise. Mum of Miss SPK 2.8 yrs Master TRK 13 mths
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yes we used a small lolly such as tic tacs, everytime they use the potty they were rewarded with a lolly for the first few weeks then slowly reduced to no lollies. Mum of Kaylee 3, Zac 2, Tahlia 8 month
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We are still in the process of toilet training and I don't think my 21 month old son needs rewards yet - he is quite eager to sit on the potty, and when he does a wee or poo in the potty, I verbally praise him - my appraisal seems enough to make him proud of himself. Mum 21month old(boy)
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No. Mum of Daniel 10y.o., Emily 23 months
Why did you start toilet training? Would you do it for this reason again?
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So he was ready to start kinder, hopefully my daughter will be trained earlier than he was. Mum of Lachlan 3 ½, Isabelle 2 ½
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I started as he knew when he was wet/soiled and took his nappy off. I would certainly wait till my daughter is doing this to start toilet training her. Mum of Jack 2.5y, Emma 8 months.
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My daughter initiated it, I would definitely wait for a child to initiate it was very easy this way. Mum of Rochelle 3.5yrs
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He was interested in the toilet and yes I would use it again. Mum of Dylan 5 yrs, Jayden 2 12 yrs, Lochlan 1 yr
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I had a newborn. Yes. Mum of Miss SPK 2.8 yrs Master TRK 13 mths
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cause i got sick of changing nappies. Mum of Kaylee 3, Zac 2, Tahlia 8 months
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I originally started toilet training when my son was about 10 months old as I had heard about elimination communication and thought it sounded to great to get a head start on toilet training. It was hard at that age and I wasn't really into it. We started toilet training again a few weeks ago as my goal is to toilet train my son by the end of the summer, as I think by the time next summer he will be too old (he will nearly be 3 by then), and I feel it's easier to toilet train during summer so he can just run around in undies at home. Mum 21month old(boy)
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We thought he was old enough to learn, and 30 months was recommended in books.
Did your child show signs of readiness and what were they?
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Taking nappy off if it was wet or soiled. He would tell me it was yucky. Mum of Jack 2.5y, Emma 8 months.
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Asking to use the potty. Grabs at her bottom sometimes when she needs to go and may need prompting. Mum of Rochelle 3.5yrs
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Yes. She was aware when she did a wee. Mum of Miss SPK 2.8 yrs Master TRK 13 mths
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they both showed interest in the potty. Mum of Kaylee 3, Zac 2, Tahlia 8 months
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I don't think he was showing readiness to begin with, but when I started putting him on the potty, he understood pretty much straight away that it was the place to do wees & poos. Mum 21month old(boy)
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I don't think he was showing readiness to begin with, but when I started putting him on the potty, he understood pretty much straight away that it was the place to do wees & poos. Mum of Daniel 10y.o., Emily 23 months
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No signs. Mum of Daniel 10y.o., Emily 23 months
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Did you have any problems or concerns with toilet training and what helped
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He needed a stool to get up to the toilet and was afraid at first of falling in. Mum of Lachlan 3 ½, Isabelle 2 ½
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He occasionally poos in the bath instead of getting out for the toilet. I make him rinse it out of the bath and give him a 2 sec blast of cold water in the shower. He hates it (it’s not long enough for him to get sick or anything and I just turn taps on and straight off again that’s how quick it is) this seems to have worked. Mum of Jack 2.5y, Emma 8 months.
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Took a while for her to poo in the potty. We just let it go and kept asking if she wanted to. Eventually she did. Mum of Rochelle 3.5yrs
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Yes problems. No solutions as yet. Mum of Miss SPK 2.8 yrs Master TRK 13 mths
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No. Mum of Kaylee 3, Zac 2, Tahlia 8 months
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No. Mum of Daniel 10y.o., Emily 23 months
What did you take when you went out with your child in undies? What tips do you have for other parents attempting this? Did accidents occur in awkward situations?
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Take spare pants, undies, socks, shoes, nappies, wipes and a plastic bag just in case. If travelling for a long distance via public transport, specially the first few times after starting toilet training it might be an idea to put a nappy on just in case. Mum of Lachlan 3 ½, Isabelle 2 ½
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I always have his bag in the car with undies and plastic bags in it. He hasn’t wet himself in public yet (though I know it’s coming!) Mum of Jack 2.5y, Emma 8 months.
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2 spare changes of undies, pants, lots of wipes, an old towel (initially she sat on this in her seat). We didn’t have too many accidents but good to be prepared and to not make a big deal of it if it happens. Mum of Rochelle 3.5yrs
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Lots of undies and wipes and more pants and socks. Mum of Dylan 5 yrs, Jayden 2 12 yrs, Lochlan 1 yr
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Never used undies out - not game enough. Mum of Miss SPK 2.8 yrs Master TRK 13 mths
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just need to take clean underwear and pants no real accidents for me as yet. Mum of Kaylee 3, Zac 2, Tahlia 8 months
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Always carried nappies and spare pants and trousers with us for about 6 months afterwards. Mum of Daniel 10y.o., Emily 23 months
What are your toilet training tips for other parents?
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I am a firm believer in no food bribes. Start when they show signs, do not push them into doing it if they are not ready. This can make them go completely opposite way and not want to go at all. Making it more stressful for the mum/dad/carer and upsetting them both and making it a lot harder to train them. Mum of Jack 2.5y, Emma 8 months.
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Wait until they are ready, lots of praise and be patient. They go lots in those first few weeks so be prepared. We did it in stages and kept nappies on when we went out the first few weeks, best if you are in no hurry to reach the end result. Mum of Rochelle 3.5yrs
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Consistency - consistency - consistency - once u start no matter how painful or frustrating don't stop - and don't use pull ups - always use undies.... Mum of Miss SPK 2.8 yrs Master TRK 13 mths
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I’ve conquered mostly everything when it comes to parenting - not always perfectly but I always get there in the end - with potty training though, I seriously have doubts I’ll ever get there - I can just imagine it now, spk when she is 22 still in bloody pull ups!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mum of Miss SPK 2.8 yrs Master TRK 13 mths
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if you are going to start then you need to make that desicion, my first child i stopped and started for the first few months cause i did not ;like having to clean up the accidents but that is part of them learning. Mum of Kaylee 3, Zac 2, Tahlia 8 months
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We have a little box with some books and toys that we keep next to the potty - my son loves reading his "Toilet Time" book - it teaches him about using the toilet/potty, and also has a "flush button" that he can press - he'll sit down while we read the whole book and sometimes do a wee or poo at the same time. Mum 21month old(boy)
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We did not use a potty, we bought a child toilet seat that fitted under our seat, and a little step so he could climb up himself. Once he decided to use the toilet we used to put his seat back so it was always ready for him to use. It was suggested to me not to use a potty because you have to retrain them to use the toilet. I think the hardest part was when we went out and Daniel had to trust us to hold on to him on adults' toilet and not let him fall in. Mum of Daniel 10y.o., Emily 23 months
Other comments
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I have had 6 yrs in the child care industry as a qualified child care worker. I am also a mum to two young children. What is outlined above is what I did with my son as that’s how we were taught in child care. Mum of Jack 2.5y, Emma 8 months.
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If using a potty leave it where u child spends most of their time eg: toy room, lounge room. Never sound disappointed when they have accidents. Mother of Dylan 5 yrs, Jayden 2and a half Lochlan 1 yr
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Let your child have lots of nappy free time to learn how it feels when they wee. Mum of Sammy 3y.o.
What age did you start....?
Mother of: Lachlan 3 ½, Isabelle 2 ½
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Age my child: |
First child |
Second child |
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First introduced to the potty |
31 months |
20 months |
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First used the potty |
32 months |
21 months |
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Regularly used potty for wees |
40 months |
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Regularly used potty for poos |
40 months |
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Wore undies at home |
40 months |
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Wore undies out |
40 months |
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Wore undies at night |
41 months |
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Mother of: Jack 2.5yr, Emma 8 months
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Age my child: |
First Child |
Second Child |
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First introduced to the potty |
23 months |
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First used the potty |
24months |
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Regularly used potty for wees |
27 months |
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Regularly used potty for poos |
29 months |
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Wore undies at home |
27 months |
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Wore undies out |
30 months |
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Wore undies at night |
not yet |
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Mother of: Rochelle 3.5yrs
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Age my child: |
First Child |
Second child |
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First introduced to the potty |
12months |
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First used the potty |
18months |
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Regularly used potty for wees |
27 months |
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Regularly used potty for poos |
36 months |
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Wore undies at home |
27months |
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Wore undies out |
29 months |
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Wore undies at night |
36 months |
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Mother of: Dylan 5 yrs, Jayden 2 12 yrs, Lochlan 1 yr
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Age my child |
First child |
Second child |
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First introduced to the potty |
18 months |
2y |
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First used the potty |
18 months |
2y |
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Regularly used potty for wees |
18 months |
2y |
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Regularly used potty for poos |
20 months |
2y |
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Wore undies at home |
20 months |
2y |
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Wore undies out |
23 months |
not yet |
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Wore undies at night |
23 months |
not yet |
Mother of: Miss SPK 2.8 yrs Master TRK 13 mths
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Age my child |
First Child |
Second child |
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First introduced to the potty |
18months |
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First used the potty |
19months |
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Regularly used potty for wees |
19 months |
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Regularly used potty for poos |
19 months |
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Wore undies at home |
18months |
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Wore undies out |
never |
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Wore undies at night |
never |
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Mother of: Daniel 10y.o., Emily 23 months
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Age my child: |
First child |
Second Child |
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First introduced to the potty |
30 months |
N/A |
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First used the potty |
42 months |
N/A |
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Regularly used potty for wees |
42 months |
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Regularly used potty for poos |
42 months |
N/A |
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Wore undies at home |
43 months |
N/A |
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Wore undies out |
43 months |
N/A |
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Wore undies at night |
43 months |
N/A |
Mother of: Kaylee 3, Zac 2, Tahlia 8 months
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Age my child: |
First child |
Second child |
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First introduced to the potty |
18 months |
20 months |
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First used the potty |
20 months |
20 months |
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Regularly used potty for wees |
26 months |
24 months |
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Regularly used potty for poos |
26 months |
24 months |
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Wore undies at home |
26 months |
24 months |
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Wore undies out |
26 months |
24 months |
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Wore undies at night |
26 months |
still in nappies | |
