There is no set age for when to stop using nappies, but children usually show signs they are ready to use a toilet or a potty between 18 months and 3 years.
Some of the following are signs that your child may be ready:
- Your child notices when they are doing a wee or poo, or when they think they need the toilet
- If they are able to sit down on a toilet or potty and get back up again
- You notice that your child stays dry for 1-2 hours or longer.
- Remember all children are different in learning this new skill, so be patient.
What you can do
- Talk to your child about weeing and pooing so they understand what is happening
- Look at books about toileting together
- Choose a time to start when there are few other changes happening for your child (moving house, new baby, starting nursery or preschool)
- Talk to your child about the PANTS underwear rule *Click Here*
- Encourage your child to sit on the toilet or potty so they get used to it
- Give praise to your child as they make progress
- Try and notice your child’s signs of needing the toilet. This might be fidgeting, going quiet, moving to a certain part of a room.
If your child doesn’t want to use a toilet or potty or keeps wetting their clothes, that is okay and a sign they are not quite ready. Try again a few weeks later.
Your child may not always want to stay sitting on a toilet or potty even if they are showing signs of being ready. You can try to distract them using books or a favourite toy. Your child should only sit on the toilet or potty for a couple of minutes at a time.
If your child was dry and is now wetting again it may be caused by one of the following:
- Wee infection, constipation, or threadworm
- Change in routine such as starting nursery or preschool, being on holiday or staying at a new place
- Emotional change such as a new sibling or an illness or death in the family.
It is important that your child is dry during the day before moving on to not wearing a nappy at night. It may take some children longer to become dry at night. Try without nappies for at least a week before you decide they are not ready.
Things you can do to help:
- Make sure your child has their last drink an hour before bed. It is still important to have 6-8 water based drinks during the day
- Get your child to use the toilet or potty before bed
- You could use a waterproof sheet to protect the mattress
- Make sure your child knows where the toilet or potty is and can get to it in the night
- Use a gentle night light so they can get to the toilet safely
- Give lots of praise.
Who can help?