Are you all at sixes-and-sevens over 'Number Ones' and 'Number Twos'? Potty training is one of the commonest worries for parents of toddlers. Take some toilet-training tips from our members, and you might be bidding nappies a fond farewell soon!

When to start
'When your child starts signaling that he is wet or dirty e.g. pulling at his nappy, then he is probably ready to be introduced to the potty. Just get it out for him to sit on and get used to first and give him plenty of opportunity to see others using the toilet. Do you have any friends with children who use a potty so he can see what it's all about?'
Thanks to Raisingkids' Member SBull

'It is a good idea to remember it is about nerve pathways - they are not always formed when we go to train our children. Sometimes that other parents are using toilet-timing, not toilet-training, which adds to the pressure.'
Thanks to Raisingkids' Member monkay

Tried-and-tested potty training tips
'Just leave the knicks off, spend a week at home and run around like a demented chicken whose head has been cut off. That is the solution to quick and easy potty training - well it worked with one of mine.'
Thanks to Raisingkids' Member Pollylolly

'I have put a potty in my son's room so he can use it when he wakes. He has two Smarties every time he uses the potty and now says 'Sweeties!' when he has done a wee. People say that you shouldn't bribe your child but it works for us. '
Thanks to Raisingkids' Member princessjane

'My tips? Let the child run naked at home and ask it every 20 minutes if he/she needs to pee.... accidents will happen but it takes about 2 weeks to get the idea of not peeing. As for night time, the only way I've managed it is by getting the child up every hour (yes, every hour) and taking them to the toilet making sure they are AWAKE! This also takes about 2 weeks and I don't do the 2 together - wait until it's dry by day.'
Thanks to Raisingkids' Member ukhowell

'My daughter was perfectly happy to sit on the potty - just don't ask her to do anything in it! I was at my wits' end and was beginning to get grumpy with her over it. Although she was only 2 and a bit, she seemed like the only child her age not using a potty. Then I saw a video advertised Potty Time with Bear in the Big Blue House. I bought it for her and played it that night but she didn't show much interest. I reckoned another of my bright ideas had failed but about 1 hour after watching it she came through and asked for her potty, did the business and that's been her ever since! Won't work for everyone but it's worth a go. '
Thanks to Raisingkids' Member WORNOUT

Nappy for a poo?
'With regard to bowel movements, a lot of children don't like having one outside of a nappy for quite a while. My niece would willingly go for a wee in her potty but when it was time for her to have a poo, she used to insist on a nappy and would hide around the back of the couch to have one! I do feel at 2½, you cant really question why they do it. They are still babies at their age and wouldn't be able to give you a proper answer. '
Thanks to Raisingkids' Member Twoodford

And finally...
'Be patient and it will come. How many adults do you know who still wear nappies? Good luck.'
Thanks to Raisingkids' Member Celia

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