Toilet training is an exciting milestone for your child, but it often comes with its fair share of mess and patience-testing moments. Beyond the essentials – time, patience, paper towel, and some good cleaning products – there are a few tools that can make the process smoother, easier, and more enjoyable for everyone.
Underwear with Personality
Once your child shows signs of toilet training readiness (see our earlier blog: What is the Right Age to Start Toilet Training?), take them shopping for a special pair of “big kid” underwear, whether it’s frilly princess undies or superhero jocks. This helps create excitement and motivation. Alongside the fun pair, stock up on plenty of practical underwear for everyday use. It’s also worth having a few inexpensive, easy-to-manage outfits on hand – elastic-waisted shorts, pants, or skirts are ideal. Avoid tricky fastenings like belts, ties, or jumpsuits that slow things down when seconds count!
Potties, Toilet Seats, and Steps
Next, decide whether you’ll use a portable potty or a toilet seat insert (a child-sized seat that sits on top of the adult toilet).
- Two-in-one toilet seats are a great investment if your budget allows. With both adult and child-sized options built into the lid, you won’t need to swap seats, do extra cleaning, or juggle parts on the bathroom floor. This is especially handy for households with more than one child and limited bathrooms.
- Bathroom steps are essential. They help children climb onto the toilet safely and give their legs support while sitting. Steps also double as a boost for handwashing.
- Potties can ease fears of the “big toilet.” They’re low to the ground, easy to use, and free from the flush noise or “long drop” that can feel scary.
- Portable toilets are a lifesaver when you’re out and about. Many fold up to fit in the pram or car boot. Perfect for that inevitable “I need to go!” moment five minutes after leaving the house. These devices help you avoid less-than-ideal public toilets. Just set up, use the disposable liner, clean with wipes, and toss everything neatly into a bin. Problem solved!
Visual Guides and Rewards Charts
Toilet training involves many little steps, and a visual chart can help children remember the sequence.
Reward charts can also keep motivation high. In the beginning, celebrate each step, then gradually shift to rewarding the whole process. Rewards don’t need to be elaborate. Stickers, ticks, or small prizes work wonders when they’re meaningful to your child.
Spare Clothes (and More Spare Clothes)
Accidents will happen. Keep multiple sets of spare clothes within easy reach – at home, in the car, at daycare, and in your bag when out and about.
Choose clothing that’s simple for your child to remove and put back on independently. Think elastic waistbands, no complicated fastenings, and definitely no all-in-one jumpsuits. Remember to check your spare clothes occasionally; toilet training can take time, and children grow quickly. And yes, it will always be the middle of winter, at a cousin’s birthday party, when you most need those spare pants!
Need More Help?
If you’d like more guidance and reassurance, Mars Clinic has developed a new online program to help you feel prepared and confident as you support your child’s toilet training journey.
