Hygiene and Potty Training

Potty training can be a frustrating experience for many parents. The lucky ones find their child’s transition from nappy to toilet fairly swift, whilst others endure a prolonged period of hit-and-miss experiences. Accepting that every child is different, when it comes to being ready for toilet training, will help parents deal with those anxious moments when they naturally arise.

Infant Potty Training

Choosing to allow your infant to go nappy-free is not a decision to be taken lightly. Unless you are able to be on hand to whisk your child to the potty or toilet in an instant it can develop into a stressful time. Being alert to signals that your infant is about to need the potty will become your main priority, which is mostly why parents generally wait until their infant is more able to communicate their needs before they embark on a potty training schedule. Teaching your child, no matter how young, the importance of washing hands after using the potty or toilet should be something you do automatically. Whilst you go through the experience of failed attempts maintaining good hygiene standards is essential.

Potty Training – What to Buy

Once you feel your child is ready for potty training there will be many considerations. Do you skip the potty and go straight to the toilet? Or do you progress gradually? Most young children will learn toilet habits by experiencing sitting on the potty and graduate to the toilet once they have mastered keeping clean.

To begin potty training, and maintain good hygiene standards, you should consider buying the following:

• Pull-up Nappies or Cloth Training Pants
• A Potty Chair
• A Travel Potty Ring
• A Potty Ring to be used on a full size Toilet
• A Step Stool
• A Waterproof Mattress Cover
• Underwear

Incentives like stickers or toys are also a good idea as these can be used as rewards. These can also be awarded when your child demonstrates a good understanding of hygiene by washing their hands thoroughly after using the potty or toilet.

Cloth Training Pants

Some children make a quick transition from nappies to underwear. It is very common though to gradually phase out diapers during the day and to rely on pull-up training pants for night-time use. These pull-up training pants are available in many styles, sizes and varieties – from disposable to washable cloth pants. Although not waterproof cloth training pants are absorbent enough to prevent accidents. The fact that they are not waterproof will mean that your child will feel wetness and will be able to distinguish between needing to go to the toilet and staying dry. The environmentally-friendly cloth pants are washable and therefore re-useable.

Potty Hygiene

Encouraging your child to wipe the potty or toilet seat themselves will teach them the importance of hygiene. Germs can easily settle on toilet seats, after splashing from flushing, so teaching your child how to prevent the spread of germs is recommended. If your child has an accident before reaching the toilet or potty it is important to show them how to clean up and how to wash your hands afterwards. Hand washing reduces the spread of germs and is therefore something your child must do regularly. Teach your child to wash their hands using warm water and antibacterial soap. Taking the time to scrub under nails and in between fingers is also a good idea. Young children can be encouraged in this practice by reciting a rhyme, which will help them understand that hand washing takes a certain amount of time and should not be rushed.