I doubt that there’s anything that tests the confidence of a first-time parent than potty training! You can’t wait to finally stop buying diapers but on the other hand, you dread the day you will have to begin to impart this new life skill on your little one.

I think most parents battle two extremes. One, the fear of whether your child will grasp the concept quickly enough without giving in to frustration. While on the other hand, whether you will actually be able to teach this to your child and how best to do it.

There are many potty training methods. I do not have a specific name for the method(s) we applied. However, with lots of patience, things fell into place. We chose not to rush the process, it had to be a -happy’ and ‘fun’ experience for all involved.?

We need to avoid unnecessarily drawing comparisons between their kids and others. People can get you really worried about these things (if you let them). Our children are unique. What works for one child may not necessarily work for another.

But, here are a few tips that can help make the potty training journey a ‘happy and fun’ one.

1. Potty shopping

You could potty shop when you are ready to begin training. But, you might want to get a potty way before its time to start. It helps a great deal for your baby to begin seeing and interacting with the potty way before it is time to start training. We got a potty before baby was born. From the beginning, she saw the potty around the house. They can begin to play with it and wonder about it. It helps to prepare them from the onset.

This potty by Summertime mimics the real deal complete with flushing sound. Photo by Mama Malope

There are many kinds of potties and toilet trainer seats and so deciding which one to get can be quite confusing. Again, there’s no right or wrong one. Just buy. If later for whatever reason you need something different, you can change to something else.

This travel toilet trainer seat is great for toddlers on the go. Photo by Mama Malope

2. Is your baby ready to start???‍♀️

You have bought a potty… But how do you know when baby is ready to start learning?

Your baby will ‘tell’ you. Many parents begin training from 2 years of age. By this age children start to show awareness. They may start to hide when pooping or pull on their soiled diaper owing to discomfort once they do. Baby may have a dry diaper for longer periods of time and may use words they have heard you use when referring to pooping or peeing.

3. Baby see… Baby do ??

Allow baby to follow you to the toilet. Seeing you at it is their best lesson yet…at the expense of your privacy though. ?? It will pay off eventually!

4. Then what? ??‍♀️

When both you and baby are ready, begin introducing the potty. If baby has interacted with a potty before, this time, do it with more intent. Let baby sit on the potty fully clothed a few times a day. In the beginning, they will probably just sit for very short spans of time or might just enjoy playing with it than sitting?.

Gradually begin to place them on the potty semi-clothed at hourly intervals for instance. They may or may not pee or poop but its all good. It gets better with time and consistency.

During this time, some parents may opt to take their babies off diapers during the day and only use them for bedrime.. However, using diaper pants through this is an option too.

5. P.A.T.I.E.N.C.E

I can’t say this enough! They learn eventually! Allowing frustration to creep in will only make it harder for both baby and you. Reward them when they get it right and even when they don’t, encourage them. Some children learn in a few days while some take weeks or even months. Some will do the right thing this week…but not so much the following week; some will learn to pee in the potty quickly but take a while before they are comfortable enough to poop. Patience…patience…patience?

Happy learning!

Summertime Potty  – Taji Store, Junction Mall, Nairobi.

Travel toilet seat – House of Leather, Nairobi