Toilet training is a major part of your child's development and it involves commitment! While that may sound daunting, the key is ensuring you stay supportive and offer encouragement.
All parents will suffer setbacks during toilet training but by remaining patient and positive, the end-result will come more quickly.
All children are different, but as a guide, many children will start toilet training by the time they have reached the age of two, with some starting around 18 months. There is a school of thought that toilet training is easier in summer, when kids tend to run around with little, or nothing, on.
Also, some parents whose children wear cloth nappies also report being able to begin toilet training easier. With the absorption in modern nappies now so good, children (or parents) do not necessarily notice when it has been dirtied. With cloth nappies, it is thought that the child will have a greater likelihood to notice which in turn, will result in them understanding and recognising the urge to "go".
In reality though, most parents nowadays choose disposable nappies and summer is only one-quarter of the year so a good understanding of your child and an ability to recognise changes in their behaviour remains the best key to begin training. Here are some tell tale signs to look out for:
- Your child's toilet habits will begin to change, and they will stay dryer for longer - often more in the day as they will begin to control their bladder more.
- Their movements will also become more regular, and you will have come to expect poo at certain times in the day
- Your child is at a point where they can begin to follow instructions in other aspects of their life
- Your child will begin to notice and show an interest in others going to the toilet
- Your child will begin to tell you when their nappy is dirty or may even make a very obvious physical demonstration, like grunt or squat
- You child will actually tell you they don't like the feeling of their wet nappy - this is an excellent start!
- Your child's poo will begin to change, becoming firmer
Bearing all that in mind, there are other factors that may hinder your child's toilet training which you should consider. Disruptions to routine or anything that may give your child any level of stress may come into account. While you may not notice any hindrances, things like beginning childcare or moving house can disrupt a child and have some affect on toilet training.
Read related articles:
Toilet training tips
Night time toilet training
Need more tips or have your own advice to share? Discuss toilet training with Essential Baby members.
