Hello!

I have a 3 yr old that we are currently trying to toilet train, with no luck. He will go if we take him, but won’t tell us if he needs to go. What tips can other mums give that might help? We’ve be at it since the start of the year


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  • I think it’s a great start that he goes when you take him ! I would continue to take him to the toilet at set times, on a certain point he’ll feel himself when he needs to go. For boys it can take a little longer.


  • First step, get them familiar with the potty. Make it accessible and in sight of toddler. Ask them to use it when you change their nappy. I also put the potty in the bathroom whilst I was filling up the bath and sat toddler on there whilst waiting for the bath. Sound of water can encourage wee. The most important thing is to not pressure them, keep it up beat and praise praise praise when they do it. Make a massive deal about wees and poos in the potty. Sticker charts can also be helpful and can be gotten from Huggies for free when purchasing nappy pants/pull up (see packet for details) – or you can make your own. Once they are not scared of the potty ramp up training. three straight days at home with no pants on and reminding them to use potty regularly. A timer can be helpful to remind you and toddler to use potty. Try not to make a big deal of accidents and praise good toileting behaviour. If after a few days there are more accidents than not, perhaos put nappies back on and try again in a few weeks. Goodluck.


  • I think it’s a great start and a great sign that he will go if you take him. Most of the time that’s half the battle! With mine I would ask them if they needed to go through out the day frequently but at the start they often said no. So I would make sure they sat on the toilet or potty when they woke up, before and after every meal and before we went out of the house. I think this helped created some association or routine. I didn’t push it if they didn’t go but I said they had to at least try. All my kids got it and we’re pretty much trained in a few months, but every child is different. Overnights are a different story and take longer! But I’d say keep encouraging, asking, taking him frequently through the day and maybe something like a sticker chart or small reward system. Toddlers love praise for small things and feel really proud when they achieve. I had months of my toddler screaming out ‘mummy I just did wee’s on big toilet, yay!!” Including when we were out in public which always ensured strange looks and a few laughs. Good luck. It will happen in time.


  • Thanks for some of the comments – we are about to embark on potty training too and it’s always useful to hear tips and pointers from other mums.


  • I have boys and we found letting them go outside in a designated area. I also took them when they woke and every half hour. You get to know the tell-tails and it will get easier.


  • Thank you I’ll check it out


  • I need to have a look at PottyTraining.com.au as well then. My girlie is nearly 3 but has Down Syndrome. A year ago or so she did all poo’s on the potty, but now her poo’s are so loose she doesn’t have control at all and nothing is done in the potty anymore.


  • My little guy was really reluctant as well but another mum recommended PottyTraining.com.au and we were trained within the week. They have some good resources that helped to make it fun.
    Good luck :)


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