At some point in a child’s life, it comes time to take off the nappy and try using a potty.
But this stage can be incredibly difficult and tiring – for both parents and the little one.
Thankfully there are potty training experts out there who can give you a helping hand when you’re getting ready to ditch the diaper.
One such expert is mum-of-three and author of Potty Training Magic, Amanda Jenner.
With a wealth of knowledge about toilet training under her belt, Amanda spoke to Mirror Online, sharing some of her top tips for families.
(Image: Getty)
According to the expert, each child is different and you shouldn’t compare your little one to anyone else.
“Two and a half, to three and a half years, is the average age in the UK to start potty training and it’s a good time,” she says.
“Some children are ready at two, but it depends on the child and whether they are showing signs of readiness, as there’s no point trying to teach them something if they’re not ready.
“The most important thing is not to compare your toddler to others, we’re great at doing that, but you just get yourself all in a tizz.”
So how are you supposed to know when your child is ready? Amanda says there are several key signs to look out for.
These include your little one stopping in their tracks and looking down at their nappy, recognising their bodily functions as they happen and insisting on having their nappy changed right away.
She explains: “If you’re child is showing signs they want to be clean, that’s good, but before you can do anything you need to make sure they understand commands and can communicate with you.
“It’s important they do this so they know what you mean when you tell them to go and sit on the potty.”
(Image: Getty)
And it’s not just the toddler who needs to be ready – mum and dad do too!
“You need to make sure you’re ready as well,” advises Amanda. “Have a couple of days together as a family to find your feet when you start toilet training.
“If you’ve got too many things on, it’s not going to work as you need to be able to pay attention to your child.”
She adds that it’s not worth starting right away if you’ve just moved house or your child has started a new nursery as they need to be settled and calm going into this.
The same goes if they, or you are poorly, wait until everyone is feeling 100 percent better before giving training a go.
For more tips and information on potty training your little one, check out Amanda’s book, Potty Training Magic: The Fun Way to Go Nappy-Free Fast, which is £5.75 on Amazon.
