When to Start Toilet Training and Introducing the Potty

Toilet training issues - when, where and how - can be a controversial topic.

I have had interesting conversations with other health workers and parents, some from different cultures. In China for instance children and babies do not wear nappies, so toilet training starts very early. A Korean client was training her baby from birth and claimed her mother had trained her children by six months. From this example you can see it is more the mother who is trained to be aware of her baby’s needs. This is the way I encourage and teach parents. Training parents to have good habits and to recognize baby’s needs reflects on the baby who then settles into a routine.

Toilet training needn’t be a chore.

In fact if you start before your child becomes too independent, which usually is around two years old, you will have less resistance. Less resistance will mean more cooperation. My suggestion is to start toilet training when you child is able to sit confidently unsupported.

Sit him on a potty and help him to be comfortable there. Talk to him about ’wees and poos’, sing or read a story to keep him occupied. Making a ‘ssssss’ sound can help in the future to associate with doing a wee.

Tips: Don’t sit him for too long as he will only get restless and eventually resent sitting on the potty. It also helps if he learns by example. Let him sit on the potty when you’re on the toilet. Give him praise and lots of encouragement even if nothing is produced.

Remember: In time you will become aware of his toilet habits. As you train yourself your baby will respond as he too recognizes why he is sitting on the potty