Kidora Parent Hub

Practical guides, local activities, money-saving advice and useful resources for UK parents.

Select a topic from the menu to get started.

Potty Training

Potty training is the process of helping a child move from nappies towards using a potty or toilet more independently.

Children develop bladder awareness, bowel awareness, communication and self-care skills at different rates. There is no single correct age or method that works for every family.

This UK guide focuses on calm preparation, practical routines and recognising when professional advice may be needed. It does not diagnose bowel or bladder conditions or replace advice from a health visitor, GP, pharmacist, school nurse or specialist continence service.

How to Use This Guide

This page summarises NHS and ERIC information and practical routines. It does not diagnose constipation, infection, continence difficulties, developmental needs or another health condition and does not provide a medication plan.

Contact a health visitor, GP, pharmacist, school nurse or specialist continence service whenever pain, withholding, constipation, repeated wetting or soiling, or another concern persists.

Trusted UK Potty-Training Support

Useful UK sources include:

ERIC is a UK charity specialising in children’s bowel and bladder health. Its guidance includes potty training, toilet anxiety, constipation, daytime wetting, bedwetting and support for children with additional needs.

Think of Potty Training as Learning

Using a potty or toilet involves several separate skills.

A child may need to learn how to:

Notice the feeling of needing a wee or poo
Communicate the need
Reach the potty or toilet
Manage clothing
Sit securely
Relax enough to go
Wipe with help
Flush
Wash and dry hands

These skills usually develop through repetition rather than one sudden change.

There Is No Single Potty-Training Timetable

Children vary in physical development, communication, confidence, sensory needs and experience. Different UK resources may describe preparation and readiness in different ways.

ERIC encourages families to view potty learning as a gradual process that can begin with preparation before nappies are removed. Practical preparation can include:

Using simple toilet words
Introducing the potty or toilet seat
Practising sitting without pressure
Reading a potty-training book
Talking about wee and poo without shame

No method guarantees that training will be completed within a fixed number of days. Adapt the process and seek professional advice where the child has pain, constipation, disability or another additional need.

Possible Signs of Growing Awareness

A child may begin to:

Notice a wet or dirty nappy
Tell an adult before, during or after going
Stay dry for longer periods
Hide or pause when doing a poo
Show interest in the bathroom
Copy family members
Follow simple instructions
Help pull clothing up or down

A child does not need to show every sign before practising potty skills.

Choose a Calm Time

Where possible, avoid beginning a major change during:

Moving home
Starting nursery
A new sibling’s arrival
Family illness
Travel
Another major disruption

Sometimes waiting is not practical, but recognising other pressures can help parents adjust expectations.

Choose a Potty or Toilet Setup

Options include:

A floor potty
A toilet-training seat
A toilet step
A combined seat and step
A portable travel potty

The child should feel secure and supported.

Foot Support Matters

When using the toilet, a suitable step can help the child place their feet on a stable surface.

The NHS constipation guidance advises helping children sit with their feet supported when using the potty or toilet. Parents concerned about painful or difficult bowel movements should use the NHS constipation guidance and seek professional advice.

Keep the Potty Easy to Reach

At the beginning, place it somewhere:

Familiar
Warm enough
Easy to access
Private without being isolated
Safe from slipping

Some families gradually move the potty towards the bathroom.

Use Simple Language

Choose clear words for:

Wee
Poo
Potty
Toilet
Wet
Dry

Use the same words at home and share them with nursery or other carers.

Practise Before Removing Nappies

Preparation may include:

Sitting briefly after waking
Sitting before a bath
Sitting after meals
Practising clothing
Washing hands afterwards

Keep practice short and avoid forcing the child to remain seated.

Start with a Simple Routine

Offer the potty or toilet at predictable times, such as:

After waking
After meals
Before leaving home
Before a bath
Before bed

Children should still be able to tell an adult between routine opportunities.

Avoid Asking Constantly

Repeatedly asking “Do you need a wee?” can become stressful or easy for the child to ignore.

Use calm reminders at natural transition points instead.

Choose Easy Clothing

Useful clothing includes:

Elasticated trousers
Loose leggings
Simple underwear
Clothes without difficult buttons
Items the child can pull down quickly

Dungarees, belts, tight jeans and complicated fastenings can make early independence harder.

Nappies, Pull-Ups and Underwear

Families use different approaches.

Depending on the child and situation, they may use:

Ordinary underwear
Reusable training pants
Disposable pull-ups
Nappies for sleep

The most useful choice is one that supports a clear routine and can be managed consistently by all carers.

Explain the Change Clearly

A simple explanation might be:

“Today we are practising using the potty. I will help you.”

Avoid making promises that accidents will not happen.

Expect Accidents

Accidents are part of learning.

Respond by:

Staying calm
Helping the child change
Cleaning without shame
Reminding them where wee or poo goes
Continuing with the routine

Do Not Punish Accidents

Do not:

Shout
Embarrass the child
Describe them as lazy
Compare them with siblings
Make them sit for long periods
Remove affection or privileges

Wetting or soiling can be accidental and may sometimes be linked to constipation, anxiety, developmental differences or another health concern.

Praise Effort and Participation

Useful praise may include:

“You told me you needed the toilet.”
“You pulled your trousers down.”
“You sat and tried.”
“You washed your hands.”

This recognises the separate skills involved, not only a successful wee or poo.

Rewards

Some families use stickers or simple charts.

Rewards should focus on positive actions, such as:

Sitting when reminded
Telling an adult
Trying to manage clothing
Washing hands

Avoid punishment, loss of rewards or pressure when an accident happens.

Learning to Poo on the Potty or Toilet

Some children become comfortable weeing in the potty but continue to ask for a nappy to poo.

This may be connected to:

Habit
Fear
Constipation
Painful previous stools
Discomfort with the toilet
Difficulty relaxing

Do not force or shame the child. Use the ERIC potty-training guidance and speak to a health visitor or GP if the problem continues.

Constipation Can Disrupt Potty Training

The NHS advises seeing a GP if you think a child may be constipated, because treatment depends on age and individual circumstances.

Possible signs described by the NHS include fewer bowel movements, large or hard stools, pellet-like stools, pain, straining, bleeding linked to a hard stool and overflow soiling.

Read the complete NHS constipation guidance. Do not diagnose or treat constipation from this page and do not give laxatives, suppositories or another treatment unless an appropriate healthcare professional advises it.

Get Help Early for Suspected Constipation

Contact a health visitor, pharmacist or GP if bowel movements are painful, difficult or repeatedly avoided.

Do not give a child laxatives, suppositories or other treatments unless advised by an appropriate healthcare professional.

Stool Withholding

Some children try to avoid pooing because they expect it to hurt or feel worried about the toilet.

Possible behaviours may include:

Hiding
Standing stiffly
Crossing legs
Clenching
Refusing to sit
Becoming upset when they need a poo

Seek professional advice when withholding is persistent, painful or accompanied by suspected constipation.

Soiling

Soiling is not necessarily deliberate misbehaviour.

It can be associated with constipation and overflow. Use the NHS constipation information and contact a GP or health visitor.

Daytime Wetting

Occasional accidents may happen during learning.

Seek advice when wetting is frequent, painful, begins suddenly after a dry period or is accompanied by:

Pain when passing urine
Unusual thirst
Fever
Abdominal or back pain
Constipation
A strong change in urine smell
The child appearing unwell

A healthcare professional can assess whether further investigation is needed.

Night-Time Dryness Is Separate

Being dry during the day does not mean a child will immediately be dry overnight.

The NHS states that bedwetting is common in young children and advises families not to punish a child. Use the full NHS bedwetting guidance for current advice and information about when to see a GP.

Night-Time Nappies

Families may continue using nappies or pull-ups overnight while the child develops night-time control.

There is no need to remove night-time protection simply because daytime training has begun.

Do Not Restrict Drinks Without Professional Advice

Children need suitable fluids during the day.

For bedwetting, follow the current NHS guidance rather than using strict fluid restriction or repeatedly waking a child overnight.

Potty Training and Nursery

Before beginning, ask the setting:

How it supports potty training
Whether potties or toilets are available
What spare clothing is required
How accidents are handled
How progress is communicated
Which words staff use

Share the Home Routine

Tell nursery:

When the child is usually offered the potty
How they communicate
Whether they need foot support
Any fears
Any constipation history
What clothing they can manage

Pack Enough Spare Clothing

A nursery bag may need:

Several pairs of underwear
Trousers or leggings
Socks
A spare top
A waterproof bag for wet clothes
Spare shoes where practical

Label every item.

Starting Preschool or School

Some children begin a setting before they are fully independent with toileting.

Discuss support directly with the setting, particularly where the child has:

A disability
A developmental delay
A bowel or bladder condition
Communication needs
An individual care plan

ERIC provides UK information for schools, nurseries and families managing bowel and bladder needs.

Potty Training Outside the Home

Prepare for outings with:

A portable potty or toilet seat where useful
Spare clothing
Wipes
Bags for wet clothing
Hand-cleaning supplies
Knowledge of nearby toilets

Use Toilets Before Long Journeys

Offer a calm toilet opportunity before:

Car journeys
Public transport
Shopping
Playgroups
Appointments

Avoid creating anxiety by insisting the child must produce a wee every time.

Public Toilet Anxiety

Children may dislike:

Loud hand dryers
Automatic flushes
Large toilet seats
Unfamiliar smells
Busy spaces
Lack of privacy

Possible practical adjustments include:

A portable seat
Covering an automatic sensor temporarily
Using quieter accessible facilities where appropriate
Warning before flushing
Allowing extra time

Travel Potty Safety

Check that a travel potty:

Is stable
Has no cracks
Locks correctly
Is used on a flat surface
Can be cleaned properly
Is suitable for the child’s size

Hygiene

Support the child to:

Wipe appropriately
Flush where suitable
Wash hands with soap and water
Dry hands

Adults will usually need to supervise and help for some time.

Cleaning a Potty

Follow the product instructions.

General practical steps include:

Emptying it promptly
Keeping it away from food-preparation areas
Cleaning it after use
Washing adult and child hands
Allowing it to dry

Use cleaning products safely and keep them out of children’s reach.

Potty Training Children with Additional Needs

Some children may need:

More preparation time
Visual steps
A consistent routine
Adapted seating
Communication symbols
Sensory adjustments
Help from occupational therapy, paediatrics or continence services

Use ERIC’s potty-training guidance for children with additional needs and discuss individual needs with the child’s healthcare and education teams.

Visual Supports

A simple visual sequence might show:

Go to the bathroom
Pull clothes down
Sit on the potty or toilet
Wipe
Pull clothes up
Flush
Wash hands

Use photographs, symbols or drawings the child understands.

Sensory Needs

A child may be affected by:

The toilet seat temperature
Echoes
Flush noise
Hand dryers
Smells
Bright lighting
Feeling unstable

Share these needs with nursery or school and seek specialist advice where appropriate.

Regression

A previously dry child may begin having accidents during:

Illness
Constipation
Family change
Starting nursery or school
Stress
A new sibling’s arrival

Stay calm and return to supportive routines.

Seek professional advice when regression is sudden, persistent, painful or accompanied by other symptoms.

When to Speak to a Professional

Contact a health visitor, GP, pharmacist, school nurse or continence service if:

The child appears constipated
Pooing is painful
There is repeated soiling
The child regularly withholds poo
Passing urine is painful
Wetting begins suddenly after a dry period
The child is unusually thirsty or unwell
Toilet anxiety is severe
Progress has stopped despite consistent support
An additional need requires an adapted plan

Urgent Health Concerns

Seek urgent medical advice if a child has severe pain, appears seriously unwell, cannot pass urine, has significant bleeding or has symptoms that concern you.

Use NHS 111 for urgent advice when the situation is not immediately life-threatening, and call emergency services for an immediate emergency.

Potty-Training Equipment

Useful items may include:

A potty
A toilet-training seat
A stable step
Easy clothing
Spare underwear
Waterproof mattress protection
A travel potty
A wet-clothing bag

Most families do not need every product.

Buying Potty-Training Items Preloved

Some suitable items may be available preloved, including:

Unused training pants
Steps
Toilet seats
Portable potties
Waterproof mattress protectors in suitable condition
Potty-training books

Check Hygiene and Condition

Before buying, check:

Cracks
Sharp edges
Stability
Missing parts
Whether the product can be cleaned thoroughly
Manufacturer instructions
Recall status

Do not use a damaged item or one that cannot be cleaned properly.

Check UK Product Recalls

Before using a second-hand potty, toilet seat, step or electronic reminder product, check the official UK Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls database.

Potty-Training Items on Kidora

Kidora is a UK-only marketplace where parents can buy and sell new and suitable preloved baby and children’s items.

Families may find potty-training books, steps, toilet seats, portable potties, easy-to-manage clothing and unused training products. Check stability, cracks, non-slip features, cleanliness, completeness, instructions and official recalls.

For hygiene-contact products, assess whether the item can be thoroughly cleaned and whether a new component or new product is more appropriate.

Sellers pay no fees and keep 100% of the item sale price. Suitable equipment can be listed at £0 as FREE rather than being thrown away, helping another local family. FREE listings are collection-only and do not include a Buyer Protection fee.

Kidora does not provide continence or medical advice and does not certify hygiene or safety.

A Potty-Training Checklist

Introduce toilet language calmly
Choose a stable potty or toilet setup
Make sure the child’s feet are supported
Use easy clothing
Offer predictable practice opportunities
Expect accidents
Praise effort rather than perfection
Coordinate with nursery or carers
Watch for constipation
Treat night-time dryness separately
Seek professional help when needed

Frequently Asked Questions

What age should potty training begin?

There is no single age that suits every child. Preparation and practice can be introduced gradually, with the routine adapted to the child’s development and family circumstances.

Should accidents be punished?

No. Accidents are part of learning and may sometimes be connected to constipation, anxiety or another support need.

What if my child will wee but not poo on the potty?

Stay calm and consider whether fear, pain or constipation may be involved. Use NHS and ERIC guidance and speak to a health visitor or GP if the problem persists.

Should night-time nappies stop at the same time?

Not necessarily. Night-time dryness develops separately from daytime toileting. Follow NHS bedwetting guidance if concerns continue.

Can potty-training equipment be bought preloved?

Some equipment can be suitable when stable, complete, undamaged and easy to clean. Check recalls and avoid products with cracks or uncertain hygiene.