Toilet training is an important milestone in your little one’s life, but it can be hard to know how to start toilet training.
There’s a toilet training checklist with a few basic items and tips that are tried and tested by parents, which can help take some of the stress out of the process - meaning you can focus on helping your child develop the confidence they need to take the first steps towards independence.
Now, we’re not saying that these items will make your toilet training journey a walk in the park; even with these items, accidents will still happen. They are perfectly normal, in fact!
To help parents and children toilet train with confidence, check out this list of 7 essential items and tips that can help little ones on their journey to bathroom independence.
1. A Potty or Toilet Seat Reducer
A potty is one of the most common items to start toilet training with. They are lower than a regular toilet and have smaller openings – so are easier for little ones to sit on.
Toilet seat reducers can also help if you don’t want to use a potty for training or don’t have one to hand, as they make toilet seats small enough for kids to sit on safely.
2. Step Stool
A non-slip step stool is essential for little ones when they’re learning about toilet hygiene, so that they can reach the sink and toilet just like their older siblings or parents can and see what’s going on!
Plus, once toilet training is complete, the stool can be cleaned and repurposed around the house, perhaps to allow kids to help with a fun baking project at the kitchen counter.
3. Training Underwear
Accidents happen, especially when you’re toilet training and taking it day by day. Having toilet training underwear on your list of essentials can help improve your child’s confidence as they get to grips with the toilet, as they look like normal nappies but with lots of hidden, added benefits.
For instance, Huggies® Pull-Ups® are specifically designed to help kids learn wet from dry - the blue layer inside of the pant briefly mimics the feeling of real wet underwear and the wetness indicator fades when wet - helping your little one learn when they need to go to the toilet.
4. Wipes and Toilet Roll
These are essential to teach your child basic hygiene when using the toilet, as combined with dry tissue they provide an extra level of clean. They are particularly handy when you begin ‘wiping training’, which comes a bit later but is an important step in teaching your child to clean up after themselves (saving you a job!).
Our Personal Hygiene Checklist, which you can download here, is perfect to stick on the bathroom wall for your little ones to refer to once they’re done with the toilet. A personal hygiene checklist which asks if children have wiped themselves properly, wiped the toilet, flushed the toilet, and washed their hands.
5. Easy to Remove Clothing
Dressing kids in easy-to-remove clothes during the toilet training process will make changing them easier if they have any unexpected accidents – both for you, and them if they want to change themselves.
They’ll be able to develop much more confidence when it comes to using the toilet if they have less accidents, making the experience much less stressful for everyone.
There’s no need to buy a whole new wardrobe during toilet training though - simply avoid fiddly buttons in favour of zips, elasticated waist trousers and skirts for a while!
6. Toilet Training Progress Chart
A simple sticker chart, such as Andrex's Toilet Training Reward Chart, to incentivise successful toilet training moments will help your child to stay motivated throughout the process by providing a visible indication of their progress.
And, at the end of the day, toddlers love stickers!
7. Rewards
Like our Toilet Training Progress Chart, small rewards such as a favourite snack or toy can also help your child to stay motivated, as well as rewarding their successful toilet breaks.
Finally – we know these tips and items won’t eliminate accidents, but by providing a place to start we hope that we can make the process less daunting. Toilet training is a natural part of growing up, and you can play a huge part in boosting your child’s confidence in taking the first steps towards independence. You’ve got this!
