When is it safe to venture out nappy-free?

[zulubump]

Myy dd is 2yrs 2 months. She's been having the odd wee and poo on the potty before bath time for a while now and last fri I thought I'd try an afternoon without nappies. I was amazed at how well she did! I explained she had no nappy on and had to use the potty instead and she just took herself off to the potty now and again without me prompting, no fuss!! One accident that evening after tea, but that was all.

Over the weekend she's been just as good, even taking herself to the potty for a poo! But we have been at home the whole time and she has been running around bare-bummed most of the time. Then this morning I dressed her in knickers and leggings and she had her first big accident - big wee over kitchen floor. She's been OK the rest of today, but I'm unsure about venturing out this week. We usually go to a toddler group on tue and on wed she goes to a pre-school session without me. I don't want her to lose her confidence if she has an accident while we are out and about. And I'm not sure how to judge when she is ready for this.

I think once you are out of nappies at home, it is confusing to them to revert to being in nappies when out and about.

You can buy training pants which have a terry lining, so they feel less like nappies - you could try those for the first few outings to see how she gets on. At least if she does have an accident it will be contained.

You can also get a potette - little fold-up potty to take out and about so you're not caught out if you are somewhere without a public toilet.

I would think the pre-school are used to taking the to the potty/toilet regularly, so perhaps make that the first outing and see how she gets on?

I always found they were better when out...the novelty of going to the toilet in shops and also me being more on the ball with it, made for better success. Just carry enough wipesand spare clothes with you in case of accidents and go for it.

Well done! We did revert to pull-ups for long car journeys and toddler group for the first few weeks and our DD seemed ok with that. After that we just take a wee bag with a change in case of accidents - never needed, she seems more aware of her toilet needs when out and about (or is just nosy ). Just try and see what happens, good luck.

Thanks for the replies. I bought a potette at the weekend actually! And I had a chat with pre-school on the phone today and they were very supportive. So I'm feeling more confident about that. Not sure whether to try pull-ups for toddler group tomorrow, or brave it out in knickers (or just stay at home!). I've not got any training pants in but perhaps they'd be a good idea if we are having problems when out and about.

I wouldn't worry about Toddler group...they must be used to it. I found that the only place DS would have accidents was at Pre-school, so pack plenty of clothes. You probably need to get out too...so don't stay all cooped up...give it a go and you can always try another way if you find it too hard.

Thanks for the replies, but I'm think we might need to postpone the potty training for a bit. Think dd has lost her nerve. She had a little accident this morning before we went out but made it to the potty to do most of her wee. Then I asked her if she wanted to wear just knickers or a nappy to toddler group. She was very clear that she wanted to wear a nappy, so I put one on her.

She actually did really well while we were out and there was nothing in her nappy in the end and she had a wee in the potty at the toddler group which she looked really pleased about.

But this afternoon after her nap she askd me to put a nappy on her and looked very upset when I said I'd prefer her to wear knickers and do her wees and poos in the potty. She asked me again quite tearfully for a nappy. I can't do potty training against her will, so she's back in nappies now. I think she has the ability, just not the confidence right now. So I'll have to take it at her pace.

I would venture out - just take lots of spare clothes and a portable potty.