Potty Training is a huge milestone in your child's development and is eagerly anticipated by Parents.

You and your child can make the process of Potty Training a success if you understand the basics of training and can make the process clear to your child.

This simple 'ABC' guide should tell you all you need to know to get your child 'dry' in ten easy steps.

A - ASSESS THE READINESS OF YOUR CHILD

Most Parents begin Potty Training when their child reaches the age of two. Although some toddlers are ready to start before this age others are not totally 'clean' until well into their fourth year!

Watch out for signs such as imitating your own bathroom habits, an eagerness to wear underwear and even the ability to pull his/her pants up and down.

If your child has regular soft formed bowel movements, often makes a physical demonstration when having a bowel movement (such as grunting or squatting), can understand simple instructions such as 'Give Mummy that toy' and dislikes the feeling of being in a dirty nappy then the chances are they are ready.

If your child has 'dry' periods of three or more hours at a time this indicates that their bladder muscles have developed enough to hold in urine, but whatever you do don't rush your child before he/she is ready.

B - BUY THE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT  

Purchase a potty well in advance of starting the training so that it is not an 'alien' object to your child. It's a good idea to use a toy doll that 'wees' to demonstrate to your child what the potty is all about.

You may choose to use a special seat attachment for your own toilet as well as or instead of a potty. Whatever you decide ensure that your child can place his/her feet on something steady if they cannot reach the floor so that they can 'push' when having a bowel movement.

C - CREATE A ROUTINE WITH YOUR CHILD

Start to sit your child on the potty fully clothed each day at times when they are likely to have a bowel movement, such as after breakfast as this helps him/her to accept it as part of their routine.

If your child really doesn't want to sit on it then don't force the issue. Put the potty away and try again in a couple of days or weeks. 

Don't try to explain too much about why your child should use it. At this stage all you should want is for them to become used to the thing and as it's portable keep it in the room where your child is at all times.

D - DISCARD THE NAPPY

Start to sit your child on the potty without a nappy and again let him/her get used to what it feels like to sit in this way. Now is a good time to start explaining that this is what Mummy and Daddy do every day. Tell your child that it is the grownup thing to undress before going to the toilet.

If your child starts to produce something then great, but don't push him/her if nothing happens. Again wait a few days before repeating the process.

E - EXPLAIN WHAT IS HAPPENING

It's often a good idea to show your child where their bowel movements go. When he/she next goes in their nappy take them to their potty, sit them on it and empty the nappy beneath them into the bowl.

This can help your child make the connection between sitting on the potty and producing.

After you've emptied the potty into the big toilet allow your child to flush it (if they want to) so they can see where it goes.

Teach him/her to dress themselves after the process is complete and wash their hands.

F - FUN AND INDEPENDENCE

Encourage your child to use their potty whenever they feel the urge to go. Make sure that they can also tell you when they need to go so that you can take them to the bathroom when necessary.

When possible let your child run around without a nappy but keep the potty nearby. Let him/her know that he/she can use it whenever they want to and remind them of this every so often.

Each time your child successfully uses the potty reward them with a sticker. You can make a chart showing each day of the week and if they achieve say five stars in a day then give them a special treat such as a small toy or trip to the park. 

G - GRAB SOME TRAINING PANTS

Training pants can help encourage your child's independence and be useful for those 'little accidents'. However, while some children consider them to be like 'grown up' underwear others will just think they are a different type of nappy thus defeating the object so this really is an individual choice. 

H - HANDLE MISHAPS CALMLY

Virtually all children will experience setbacks with potty training and it is important not to over-react when this happens.

Remember that an accident is just that and your child's muscles have only just developed to allow him/her to keep their bladder and rectum closed.

It can take several months for some children to master this process completely and remain dry during the day,  so if a little accident occurs then calmly clean it up and suggest gently to your child that they try using the potty next time.

I - INTRODUCE NIGHT TRAINING

Once your child can remain clean and dry throughout the day it is time to progress onto night training. This can take several more months to master so don't throw out the nappies yet ! You may also consider buying a waterproof sheet to protect their mattress.

At such a young age it is often difficult for a child's body to reliably wake them during the night when they need to use the bathroom.

Cut down on drinks before bedtime to try and avoid mishaps and tell your child that they can call you in the night if they need to go to the toilet. It's a good idea to place the potty beside their bed in case he/she needs it.

There are many types of potty on the market from the basic type that we all know to the ones intended to make the whole training process more fun such as the 'flushing' model below available from ebay shop 'SAFETOTS'. Fisher Price also have a similar model that is on sale at BOOTS and all good baby-shop retailers that also features flushing sounds created by a lever handle, a toilet roll holder as well as rewarding musical tunes and it also doubles up as a step to enable your little one to reach the adult toilet when they are ready.

If you experience problems where your child appears frightened of their potty it could be a good idea to take them out to choose a new one that they are comfortable with. Handle the shopping trip with the same enthusiasm and excitement as if you were going out to treat them to a new toy and hopefully their fears should then subside.

J - JOB DONE!

Remember your child will learn this new skill when they are good and ready, and if you wait until they are ready then the process should be simple for both of you.

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* Baby clothing - Essential shopping list for Mums-to-be

* Guide to buying or selling a second hand pram/pushchair

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