How to approach potty training?

[Miss_Jane]

I think we are going to try potty training DD1 soon as she has started telling us when she's done a poo and is showing an interest in using the toilet. She is 2.5.

So, how do you go about it? I have no idea where to start!! Do I tell her we are going to do it in a few days and warn her or is it better just to start one day? Are reward charts the way forward?

Is a potette worth it or is it a gimmick?

Any other hints and tips gratefully received!

[claireh]

This is what worked here.

We went to mothercare and Millie chose a potty. She went for a Minnie mouse one that is more like a seat. I think this was a good choice as its comfy for her to sit on so in the early days she would happily sit on it on front of the tv.

I filled a jar with sweets and bought some stickers. I had both in sight and told her that if she did a wee in the potty she would get a treat. I also gave her lots to drink with the view that the more liquid in the better out chances of doing lots of wees in the potty. I also let her choose some pants.
I did talk to her about using the potty and I read a book about using it.

The first day I asked her constantly if she needed a wee wee. When she piddled on the potty I made a big fuss. Oh I let her run around in just her top and knickers. She got the hang of it pretty quickly.

If you need to go out put a folded towel on her carseat. Our first trip to the supermarket day 2 resulted in a wet carseat on the way home.

I found doing short trips out quite good for building confidence that she could hold on her wee.

Dont be surprised if it takes her a while to do a poo on the potty. I think it was a week or so before M managed to do one on the potty. She was saving them for her nappy at sleep time.

I never bothered with a pottet. When we are out and about there is usually a loo nor too far away so I never needed one.

Although M got the hang of it really quickly she did occasionally pee her pants if she was really tired.

Eta sorry for typos /spelling mistakes / auto corrects I have typed this on my phone.

[Elvisola]

I am just starting with Sophia, she is the same age as when Ella was trained and I am doing it in a similar way.

1)Potty in an accessible place so they are used to it being around.
2)Lots of playing with Upsy Daisy sitting on potty, doing wee wees and getting lots and lots of praise
3)Encouraging sitting on potty for stories etc if rogue wee is done raise the roof with clapping and award chocolate button
4)chocolate button should work sufficiently that they want to sit on potty lots
5)put in knickers and don't look back - even if there are accidents
6)remind every 15 min
7)after 3 days if there are more accidents than success's then leave it for a week or so and try again.

We are currently at the doll weeing in potty phase - best of luck!

[Woodstock]

I was lucky as Nursery helped enormously. When we started we stayed in for a couple of days and he got the hang of it quickly. We also used a seat version otherwise they sort of have to balance which I don't think helps.

Always made him try before we went out.

I had a potette and found it invaluable as we often went places where there was no loo. Didn't use it that often in reality but the reassurance for me that it was there was great to stop panicking.

Good luck!!

[RealGoneKid]

I used the Potty Training in a week book by Gina Ford which was really good (hated her other stuff). If you would like it, I can post it to you.

Both of mine loathed the pottette beyond words

[Miss_Jane]

OK thanks ladies! RGK, I saw that book in the library yesterday so I bought it

What do you do about nap time? Put a nappy on?

[Jeany]

I believe if they are truly ready you really don't have to do much. W started telling me when he was wet/dirty about 4 weeks ago so I would obviously change him straight away. I would then ask him if he wanted to sit on the potty/toilet when changing. We then had a couple of days at home where I left him naked from the waist down and asked him at regular intervals if he wanted to go. He is now in pants and getting to grips with remembering to pull pants and trousers down to go, only the odd accident when he is engrossed in something. I leave nappy off for naps, just fold a towel under him.