Day 1

  • Get rid of the diapers- some experts suggest you have the child throw out the diapers in a cold turkey approach so there's no turning back. Others just suggest you put away the diapers and instead use training pants or underwear.
  • Have lots of salty snacks like pretzels or crackers that will make your child thirsty along with plenty of water, milk or juice.
  • Put your child in cloth underwear or even better, let them roam around the house naked.
  • Ask your child to let you know when they need to go pee or poo so they can go on the potty. There will be many accidents but eventually they will start to pay attention to their body and get to the potty when they feel the urge. Some moms say it took 10-15 accidents before their child got the hang of it.
  • If you're having difficulty identifying your child's cues, try setting a timer for every 20 minutes and have your child sit on the potty every time the timer goes off.
  • Praise them for their success and don't scold them for any accidents.