Written by:

Nicky Jansen

On the potty

Are you starting POTTY TRAINING soon and not sure where to begin? After two completely different potty training sessions and another one coming up, I'd love to share my experiences and tips!

I also refer to products from our webshop that I support for use during this 'phase'.

First and foremost: every child is unique , and each child will learn to potty at their own pace. There are different perspectives, but I'm convinced that you, as a parent, still know best what your child can handle at that moment and what works best for you as a family.

The first and most important tip from this blog: follow your gut.

I'd also like to share with you what worked for me and the steps you can take during this phase. It's a phase that shows how you're helping your child grow and become more independent. It's a phase that isn't always enjoyable, and it's not comparable to other children's.

Welcome to the potty training stage.

Becoming toilet trained step by step

1. From around 18 months, you can start offering the potty. Ideally, when your child can walk and sit independently and alternate between the two. Make this a fun time. Introduce your child to it through play. For example, dolls can be placed on the potty, or your child can pee on the potty with their pants on when one of the parents needs to go. Reading fun books or singing songs about this theme can also help make this moment a real PARTY. Let your child wear diapers so they learn to put them on and take them off themselves. Preferably, let your child choose their own potty or decorate it with fun stickers. I'm not a fan of rewarding with stickers during potty training, but I am a fan of decorating their potty.

2. After the festive introduction of the potty, it will become increasingly present in your baby's daily life. When you go to the toilet yourself, preferably let your baby come along and sit on their potty. If your baby isn't comfortable with a bare bottom yet, that's perfectly fine. Try to apply as little pressure as possible.

3. When you notice your baby is ready for the next step, you can start using the potty together at set times. For example, after dinner, before bed, before leaving for daycare, or after an activity outside the home. Allow enough time for this so it's not a stressful moment, but a fun part of the routine. Encourage your baby to actually use the potty during these times. Encourage them with a fun storybook or song, don't force it. Doing something together is still the best reward for a toddler/preschooler. When you notice they're using the potty several times a day and their diaper stays dry, you can swap the diaper for underwear. Involve your child again and go shopping together.

4. Encourage your child throughout this process; a positive approach works much better than pointing out negative behavior. If something does go wrong, try to stay calm yourself. Let your child know it's okay and that they'll use the potty again next time. After an accident, take your child back to the potty to make it clear that this is the correct place.

5. Around the ages of 2 to 3, children have control over holding or releasing their pee or poop. Some children are toilet trained at 2, others at 5. This is perfectly normal and shows us that every child is unique and grows at their own pace.

Tips for additional help:

  • If you notice your baby is finding diapers a little too comfortable, you can choose less absorbent diapers or wear underwear under the diaper. This way, your baby will feel the wetness more and will likely find it less pleasant.

  • If your baby refuses to use the potty and prefers the "big toilet," a step stool and a seat reducer can be introduced. Personally, I found this more practical after a while (meaning less cleaning). Make sure your baby is sitting properly on the toilet. Good posture is essential for effective emptying of the toilet. Always ensure their feet are well supported. If their feet can't reach the floor yet, use a footstool. Allow your knees to relax and sit upright .

    • If you notice the accidents keep happening and you're getting nervous, the trick is to not give up. Leave diapers off once they've been replaced by underwear. Don't back down. Prepare well for every outing and bring plenty of spare clothes. Put mattress protectors on the couch, car seat, stroller, etc. to keep cleanup to a minimum.

Do you have any questions about this topic? Feel free to email us at info@littlemoustache.nl and we'll be happy to answer all your questions.