Author: Charlene

Potty training. If you’ve been through it, you know it’s not the most pleasant and stress-free part of parenting. But you do get through it.

Here are a few tips to help you and your toddler survive toilet training.

Potty training tips

First up is a few things that have really made my life easier.

Get your little one a training seat and foot stool early on. We had a potty in the beginning which worked well, but the cleaning was a mission. As soon as we felt that Cara was big enough, we bought a training seat and a foot stool and it has worked like a charm. Cara liked the fact that she could use the ‘real’ toilet like a big girl. And we liked the fact that there was less mess and fuss. Cara is 5 and we still use the seat as I prefer that she doesn’t have to hang on for dear life (also less germs get in contact with her hands). We have a seat similar to the below one from Snookums, but it’s not spill proof. If I had to go shopping for one now, I would definitely get this one. Even little girls want to see where the wee comes from and this has lead to Cara weeing over the toilet seat many times. Trust me, you want a spill proof seat.

A waterproof mattress cover is a must. Get 2 if you can! We had a lot of accidents. We still have them now and then. Cara sleeps on a double bed and we found a great cover at Mr Price Home.

Vinegar is your friend. Wee stains on a mattress… I just can’t. I hate it. I find that vinegar works best to remove the odour and the stain. As soon as I discover the wet spot, I blot the area as well as I can with a towel to absorb most of the wee. Then I spray the area with white spirit vinegar. Make sure to spray a little around the area as wee can leave an unsightly ‘ring’ on the mattress. Then blot again and let dry. This usually works very well. If the stain has dried, you can try these steps and then sprinkle a generous amount of bicarbonate of soda/baking soda on the wet spot. The bicarb will absorb most of the nastiness. Once dry, you just vacuum up the mess and you should be left with a clean mattress.

Flushable wipes. I never go anywhere without a pack of Cherubs Eco-Care flushable and biodegradable wipes.

The following potty training tips landed in my inbox this morning and I thought I’d share these with you as well.

Anyone with a toddler will know that potty training can be a daunting task that sends many a parent into a state of complete panic. But according to Sr Ann Richardson, toilet training can be as easy and relaxed as you make it. Snookums asked Sr Ann for a few practical suggestions to make the process easier:

• It is a good idea to get a potty well before you think you may need it. Place it in the bathroom near the toilet, and explain what it is even if your toddler is not yet ready.
• Let her accompany you to the toilet from an early age, so that she can get used to the idea, and learn from watching you – this will take the mystery and fear out of this new idea.
• If you have a son, ask your husband to invite him to accompany him to the toilet. This way, he will learn that boys do it differently to girls.
• If your toddler is frightened by the noise of the toilet flushing, wait until she has left the room before flushing. Always encourage her to help you flush, but if she doesn’t want to, don’t force her.
• If your child gets ‘stage fright’, try turning on the taps – the sound of running water often helps them relax.
• Consider singing a special song such as “this is the way we go to the loo, go to the loo, go to the loo…” to encourage reluctant toddlers to co-operate. Story books explaining what is happening are also most useful.
• Expect some regression if she is stressed in any way such as starting a new school, the arrival of a sibling or illness. Let her go back into nappies, and with loads of love and encouragement, try again after a short while.

xoxo