Toilet training

A guide to beginning your child’s toilet training

We understand that all children develop at their own pace, but research shows that toilet training and stopping using nappies, pull-ups and training pants between 18 and 30 months is best for your child’s bowel and bladder health.

Being toilet trained is a key skill that schools expect children to have before they start Reception - with the exception of children with a diagnosed medical need such as a bladder or bowel condition.

Being out of nappies helps children to feel confident and included in their peer group whilst allowing teachers to spend more time teaching and supporting children’s development in other ways.

See more information about:

when to start
facts about toilet training
getting ready
what you will need
it's a team effort
stopping nappies
going nappy free at nap time and night time
where to go for help
potty training advice and guidance specifically for families with children who have additional needs
useful links

Child and parent reading by the toilet

When to start

Toilet training is about learning skills, almost all children can learn to be clean and dry with the right support, including children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Children with sensory needs may require additional time and support.

Toilet training is a process and happens over time. Children can practise sitting on a potty or toilet from when they can sit up independently. Even if your child has SEND, you don’t need to wait to start toilet training.

The skills for toilet training can be taught with a clear routine and some extra help. The longer toilet training is delayed, the harder it can be for your child to learn the new routine and feel confident without nappies.

If you think your child might be constipated - they should be doing a soft poo regularly (at least every other day) - it is important to get help with this before stopping nappies.

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Facts about toilet training

every year £400 is spent by British families on nappies and wipes alone – potty training could put that money back in your pocket
around 3 billion disposable nappies end up in UK landfill sites each year – each one can take up to 500 years to decompose
more than £60m is spent per year by UK local authorities on the disposal of nappies - potty training helps reduce environmental impact

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Child playing with dinosaur toy on potty

Getting ready

Many children find it helpful to bypass the potty and instead train using the toilet (using a toilet training seat, step and rails). This gets the child used to the environment of the bathroom for toileting but also removes an additional transitional step of going from the potty to the toilet.

Whether choosing to start toilet training with a potty or straight to the loo, there are lots of things you can do to support your child in the lead up to stopping wearing nappies.

1. Change nappies as soon as they are wet or soiled

This teaches your child that it is healthy to be clean and dry. If you can, change their nappy in the bathroom to help them make a connection between the environment and where they have wees and poos.

2. Introduce your child to a potty or toilet

There are great child friendly books about toilet training available and by reading these with your child you’re supporting their emotional readiness and understanding in a gentle age-appropriate way. The York Explore Libraries have a brilliant collection available to borrow.

Your child’s favourite doll or toy could have a ‘turn’ on the potty or toilet and then you can encourage your child to sit on it themselves.

3. Regular potty or toilet sitting practise

Begin regular practise once your child has been introduced to the potty or toilet, building up to several times a day.

4. Encourage a healthy diet

Give your child a diet which includes fibre (for example, fruit, vegetables and brown bread) to help avoid constipation, which can make toilet training harder.

5. Drink plenty of water

Children should have 6-8 drinks spread evenly through the day. When introducing solids, offer water in a cup.

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What you will need

a potty (or more than one) and/or a toilet training seat plus a step to support their feet. The step should be high enough that when seated on the toilet, the child’s knees are higher than their hips
pants or reusable cloth training pants

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Child sitting on toilet cuddling a toy

It’s a team effort

If your child is already at nursery, pre-school, with a childminder or regularly looked after by family or friends, talk to them and discuss how you will work together to support your child’s toilet training journey.

It’s important that you’re on the same page and agree on the steps you will all take to support your child with this milestone.

Provide plenty of spare clothes and update them on any signs you’ve noticed that suggest your child might need to use the potty or toilet.

Providing consistency will help your child learn faster.

Top tips

change nappies standing up on the floor in the bathroom (once your child can stand independently) involve them in the process (for example, flushing poo, washing hands, pushing trousers and pull-ups down and pulling back up)
give regular nappy-free time. Try this after your child has done a wee and poo so they can experience the feeling of being nappy free. Help them to put the nappy back on after half an hour to keep them clean and dry
talk about wee and poo in a matter-of-fact way
make the bathroom feel comfortable for your child, especially if your child has sensory processing difficulties. For example, if your child finds the noise of the toilet flush overwhelming, try using ear defenders in the bathroom
some children may be sensitive to toilet smells. Having lavender or peppermint oil or an air freshener in the bathroom can help
wear clothes that are easier to pull down, for example, joggers or leggings rather than trousers with buttons or skirts with tights which are tricker to undo when your child needs the toilet. Some children prefer to go without clothes from the waist down in the first few days after they stop using nappies

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Child in wheelchair looking at toilet with parent Child celebrating on the potty

Stopping nappies

Once you’re prepared and you’ve practised, it’s time to stop using nappies during the day. Choose a time that works for your family, when life is relatively calm, without major changes or disruptions.

Reminder: If your child has health issues affecting their bowel and/or bladder such as constipation or a bladder infection, seek professional help to resolve those issues before you get rid of nappies.

1. Tell your child what’s happening

Let them know they’re saying goodbye to nappies and explain what using the potty or toilet means.

2. Now they are out of nappies, watch for signs they need to go and then guide them to the potty:

they tell you they’re weeing or that they need to do a wee
they know and tell you when they are wet or dirty
fidgeting, going quiet, or straining (which could look like pulling faces)

When you see a sign, guide them to the potty or toilet and encourage them to try. Try to avoid prompting or asking your child if they need to use the potty too often. Encourage boys to sit down to wee especially while they are potty training. It helps them feel more relaxed and if they also need a poo, it will encourage them to go.

If your child needs help with communicating, you can use Makaton signs, pictures or photographs of the toilet etc. Choose one which will help your child recognise that it is time to use the potty or toilet.

3. Give lots of praise and encouragement!

Celebrate every attempt and success, no matter how small. Praise your child for sitting on the potty or toilet – any wee or poo is a bonus!

4. Help your child learn new skills

Teach your child to wipe their bottom, flush the toilet, wash their hands, and choose their own pants. This helps build confidence and a sense of control. Children should be able to wipe themselves by the time they start Reception.

5. Be consistent

Once your child starts using pants during the day, being consistent will help your child learn faster. It can be confusing for a child if, for example, they revert to using nappies when they go out.

Top tips

the change from nappies to pants may feel strange. Have options of different shapes, colours, fabric and fit if you feel your child may find this change challenging. You may want to find pants with your child’s favourite character on to support your child’s interest in wearing pants
if your child struggles to sit on the potty for long enough, try singing a song or reading a short book together. Encourage them to stay on the potty or toilet until the song or book is finished
stay calm with accidents: Clean up together, gently remind them about the potty or toilet, and move on. If you do not make a fuss when they have an accident, they will not feel anxious and worried, and are more likely to be successful the next time
be prepared when you venture out: If you can stay home for the first couple of days you might find it easier, but when you do go out and about, take plenty of changes of clothes. You might find a travel potty and a washable, absorbent car seat liner helpful

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Child wearing ear defenders celebrating potty training

Going nappy free at nap time and night time

Once your child has stopped using nappies in the daytime, it’s time to think about nap times. Being nappy free at nap times will help prepare your child to be dry at night.

Start by encouraging your child to use the toilet or potty just before nap time and again when they wake up. When you notice the nappy is staying dry at least some of the time, stop using one altogether at nap time.

Being dry at night usually happens after children are potty trained during the day. Most children are dry at night by the age of 5, but for some it can take longer.

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Where to go for help

You can get help from your childminder, nursery, pre-school team or the Healthy Child Service.

You can ask about potty training during any conversation you have with your health visiting team. You can expect your health visitor to talk about potty training at your child’s 9-12 month and 2 year health review.

There’s plenty of expert advice available, including for families of children with SEND.

If your child is of school age you should speak to your child’s school and the Healthy Child Service School Aged Health Team can be contacted for advice and support if you have any bowel or bladder concerns for your child. This includes daytime or nighttime wetting, constipation, soiling, urinary urgency or urinary frequency.

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Potty training advice and guidance specifically for families with children who have additional needs

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Useful links

Find guidance and support with potty training

Find more information about diet for children who are potty training

Find advice and guidance about constipation in children

Constipation in children – ERIC

Find out more about night time bedwetting

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