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Parenting

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Potty training - where do I start?

1 reply

Charlotteeloise · 11/05/2026 20:17

Hey, I’m a FTM and my son turned 3 middle of April. I want to potty train him but quite honestly don’t know how.

My son is incredibly sensory, and very routine based. Really struggles with season changes (strange I know!) but for example will get used to wearing short sleeved tops in the summer, then take MONTHS to get used to long sleeved tops. Refuses to wear anything with zips, don’t know how we managed a whole winter without a coat tbh. At the moment won’t take his socks off, only wears one pair of shoes etc you get the gist.. he’s obviously very used to his nappies. Twice before a bath he has managed a wee on the potty, but he doesn’t like to be naked very long and asks for his nappy back on.

i have also tried to take him to the shop to pick some big boy pants which i bought but he refuses to put on.

I am concerned that he will just freak with the feel of pants when he’s so used to nappies. He wouldn’t even wear the pull on swim nappies on holiday, had to go without instead.

to add / he is currently in pull up style nappies already.

I have been talking to him about it, we have books which we read together but I don’t think it’s going in. He flat out refuses to sit on the toilet we have like a toddler seat that goes on top.

i have looked into training style pants which kind of look like nappies but helps them feel wet.. before I splash out have these worked for anyone?

ive also looked into these carry potties instead?

I just don’t know where to begin. I fear it’s going to be traumatic for both of us because of his sensory tendencies. I want him to be ready, but I honestly don’t feel like he ever will be unless I push.

please help!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
shardlakem · 11/05/2026 21:16

My son is similar but actually much preferred the feel of pants rather than nappies, once he'd tried them on he never wanted to wear nappies again and hates his night time nappy!

We did the following:

  • Had the potty next to the bath and tried sitting on it before bath every time for a few weeks
  • Talked about it lots to prepare
  • Then just went cold turkey, straight into pants and shorts. Every time he started weeing we rushed him over to the potty and tried to get it in as much as possible. We had a potty in the lounge and a potty upstairs, we do have a seat on the toilet but there wasn't time to get there at first. He was also too little to actually climb up even using the step stool at this point.
  • After 2 days of this at home we ventured out for short periods of time and used a carry potty out and about.
  • The first day it was just constant accidents, better the next day, only maybe 2 accidents the next day and then pretty much dry?

Lots of our friends started and it wasn't working so they waited a few weeks/months and tried again, you could try that?

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