the incentive to earn more!
‘Thenightbeforeyou
startyourtrainingplan,
makea pointoflaying
outhernewpants
andgettingthepotty
intoposition,’says
Amanda.‘It’s all
aboutseeingit
throughyour
toddler’s eyes.Let
herchoosewhere
shewantstoputit
somewhere that she’ll
beabletoseeit.Whenshe
goestobed,readhera story
aboutusinga pottyandtellher
she will be wearing her pants tomorrow.’DAY 1
Get started straightaway by ditching the
nappies as soon as your youngster gets up.
‘Take her nappy off while she is still in her
bedroom and get her to throw it away,’ says
Amanda. Then put her big girl’s pants on and
tell her that nappies are now only for bedtime.
Sit her on the potty every 20 to 35 minutes,
asking ‘Shall we try and get a star or a sticker?’
‘Use lots of lovely reinforcing language
and, if she asks to go back to nappies,
tell her that you haven’t got any more for
daytime,’ says Amanda. Keep plans for
the first day simple – distractions are
likely to lead to accidents. Venture out
for your permitted daily exercise in
the afternoon, for some fresh air –
just for half-an-hour maximum –
but take the potty with you.’DAY 2
The second day of potty training
is a great time to start encouraging
your toddler to take the lead and
become more independent. ‘Get
her to start putting her pants on
herself,’ advises Amanda, ‘and
to show you where the potty is.
Regularly remind her what to
do, saying things like “Don’t
forget to tell Mummy when
you need a wee or a poo.’”
Be prepared – on day one,
using the potty was new and
exciting, but by this point your
toddler may start saying she doesn’t
want to use it after all. Distraction is
key, so put together a box of toys
and activities your child can have
fun with while on the potty.‘Have your
child in a top, pants and
socks when indoors – there
will be no fiddly trousers to deal
with, yet they still learn to pull
pants up and down. Plus, they’ll
catch any accidents!’
Alex Mills, 38, from York, is
mum to Max, seven months,
and Ralph, three
motherandbaby.co.uk | June 2020 | 55Baby&Toddler