With learning a new skill you need the right tools and you need a game plan. When working with kids this is even more necessary... children can smell fear! Subsequently, you need to be prepared! Below is a checklist of recommended items and actions, to help you start the toilet training process with confidence. You may not require every item on the list, and some items cancel the need for the other, it all depends on your plan of action and your child. The list is just a suggested selection of products that could help you and your child move through the toilet training process a lot smoother.
DAY TIME TRAINING
- Toilet Training Kit - Makes the process so much quicker & easier.
- Prize Box - Filled with wrapped - up prizes that interest your child.
- Potty - One with a splash - back and back support is recommended.
- Disinfectant Spray - For Hygiene if Using a Potty eg. Glen 20
- Toilet Seat Insert - For Little Bottoms. Some have built - in stool.
- Stool - To reach toilet and tap to wash hands.
- Brand New Underpants - Size 2 - 3 is the smallest (approx 10).
- Training Pants - Thicker, more absorbent underpants.
- Weeman - To teach boys to stand up to wee.
- Wee Target - To teach boys how to aim.
- Potty Books - Stories to read to your child to explain the process of going to the toilet. Can be used to introduce the toilet training process to your child in preparation to start.
- Favourite Books or Toys - For your child to play with while on the toilet to keep interest.
- Appropriate Clothes - That allow your child to easily go to the toilet unobstructed. Eg. Dresses or skirts for girls, no complicated buttons, elastic waste pants.
- Timer - Often an oven timer is easiest to use. Helps remind you, as well as your child, that they need to go to the toilet. This can be set based on her routine. Can use as game as further incentive to get your child to the toilet eg. Tell your child, ”When you hear the bell, you race Mummy to the toilet and see who get's there first“.
LEAVING THE HOUSE
- Spare Clothes - Approx 2 sets
- Appropriate Clothes - That allow your child to easily go to the toilet unobstructed. Eg. Dresses and skirts for girls, no complicated buttons, elastic waste pants.
- Child's Backpack - Allows your child to take ownership if carrying own spare clothes, etc. Extra reminder for your child to go to toilet.
- Tote Bag - Water resistant bag for soiled clothes.
- Scents for Tote Bag - To mask smells.
- Spare Potty - Good to keep in the car for emergencies. Line with plastic bag for easy clean up and removal.
- Wipes - To assist with any clean up if necessary. Flushable ones are also available.
EARLY POTTY TRAINING
- Toilet Routine Chart - FREE Download - Record your child's toilet routine to assist in the toilet training process.
- Book - Early - Start Potty Training - Excellent resource for parents wanting to finish toilet training their child by age 2. Outlines how to potty train a baby and why you would want to.
- Potty - One with a splash - back and back support is recommended.
- Disinfectant Spray - For Hygiene if Using a Potty eg. Glen 20
- Toilet Seat Insert - For Little Bottoms.
- Tissues / Toilet Paper - Positioned near potty for easy access.
- Flushable Wipes - There are wipes available on the market that are designed to be able to flush down a toilet.
- Training Pants - Thicker more absorbent pants (approx 10 pairs). Recommended once your child has bowel control or you confidently know your child's "poo" routine or signs. You can use these whenever you are ready though, you just probably want to avoid the unpleasantness of removing and cleaning poo - covered pants. My son gained bowel control very quickly from around 5 months old.
- Pilchers - Waterproof outer layer placed over cloth nappies or training pants to stop leakage. (approx 10 pairs if using pants)
- Cloth Nappies - That allow your child to feel wet. If you aren't using toilet training pants then it is best to use this type of nappy that your child will respond to wetness. By taking the wet sensation away from your child, it reduces their ability to know they have gone. There are some great, modern designs available now that make it as easy as putting on a disposable.
- Absorbent Nappies - That take away the wet sensation by drawing liquid away from your child's bottom. Use these when your baby is sleeping to give them a better sleep. This is a personal decision based on your plan of action. Disposable nappies do this, as well as some modern cloth nappies made out of special absorbent materials.
- Tote Bag - Water resistant bag to contain wet and soiled nappies / pants. Can use this system for the home, with smaller bags available when leaving the house.
- Scents for Tote Bag - To mask smells
- Timer - Often an oven timer is easiest to use. Used as a reminder for placing your child on the potty based on his routine.
- Favourite Books or Toys - For your child to play with while on the potty to keep interest. Keep near potty.
- Potty Training Clothes - Appropriate clothes for quick and easy access to potty (often nothing on the bottom end but training pants is the best if climate allows). There are also special Chinese baby and toddler training pants available on the market that have an opening at the crotch. These are designed to wear nothing underneath for quick and easy elimination when required.
- Change Mat - A change mat or baby blanket is good for keeping the carpet, couch, bed, etc clean that you are placing your bare - bottomed baby on, as well as protection for your baby. It is good to have a least one waterproof mat and a soft blanket for comfort.
NIGHT TIME TRAINING
- Waterproof Mattress Protector - Protects your mattress from bed - wetting accidents.
- Bedpad - This is placed over the top of the bottom sheet so you don't have to change sheets if an accident occurs, just the bedpad. It absorbs liquids away from your child, protecting the sheets at the same time.
- Night Light - A night light can work wonders for helping your child feel confident at night to go to toilet.
- Toilet Light - A light for your toilet bowl that turns on when the lid is opened and turns off when it is closed. Great for night time training for encouraging children to get up and use the toilet at night. The light emitted assists with seeing the toilet in the dark as well. (Added bonus is that it can help train both your husband and child to put the lid down.)
- Potty - Can put beside your child's bed for emergencies or if they feel comfortable to use this at night rather than finding their way to the toilet, so they don't have to wake Mum or Dad.
- Reward Chart - This is ONLY suitable if motivation is all that needs to be encouraged i.e. the actual want to get out of bed at night to go to the toilet. Bed - wetting can be caused by a number of different factors outside your child's control and it is not fair to use a reward chart when your child has no control on the outcome. Often it is just a time issue to resolve bed - wetting, where your child literally grows into it both mentally and physically. In saying this, my 2.5 year responded really well to using a reward chart for bed - wetting as there were no other underlying factors affecting her.