Do you have questions about creating positive bathroom habits and routines? Ask toilet training expert Amanda Jenner - £200 voucher to be won

[LibbyMumsnet]

Please note, questions have been answered and the expert is no longer available to answer new questions.

According to toilet training expert Amanda Jenner, 73% of parents don’t think there is enough advice when it comes to toilet training*. During lockdown, there has been a huge increase of children losing their confidence when going to the toilet which has led to an increase of older children having more frequent toilet accidents in and out the home. With this in mind, Amanda will be here to answer your questions between 4th-8th January.

Here’s some more information on Amanda Jenner: “Amanda is known as The UK’s Toilet Training Expert. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with families and the education sector, giving advice and guidance during key stages of child development.
She hosts regular live clinics, debates and campaigns to help parents talk about their children’s toilet habits and behaviour throughout their early childhood."

Here’s what Andrex has to say: “Andrex® wants to help your family along its unique toileting journey with a little fun along the way. Over the next few months, we will be launching a series of tips, tools and advice to help you and your child grow in confidence, establishing healthy bathroom habits and routines. As we know those positive behaviours we develop as a child will last a lifetime.
We’re excited to join your family on this adventure.”

Whether you‘d like to know how you can teach your child healthy bathroom habits or you're concerned that lockdown has knocked your child’s confidence when using the toilet independently, ask Amanda your questions on this thread.

All who post a question (regardless of whether it is answered or not) will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £200 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

*Survey conducted by Amanda’s Potty Training Academy

[HannahLI]

My ten year old (autistic) son is confident when it comes to toilet stuff usually however he still wants me to wipe his bottom for him when he has done a poo. How can I encourage him to feel confident to do this himself?

[TellMeItsNotTrue]

DS wasn't a big fan of using public, or even school, toilets before and definitely isn't now as he worries about the germs

He doesn't have a problem digging in the muck etc so not worried about germs in general but never been a fan of public toilets. No idea where its come from as 2DDs and I use them no problem and I've always encouraged messy play etc

Any ideas on how to help him feel more comfortable using public/school toilets

[StickChildNumberTwo]

Is it worth trying anything with a 5 year old who's not dry at night, or is it a case of having to wait until he's ready?

[wellingtonsandwaffles]

I would like to know how to teach my 3 year old to wipe his own bottom? Rids him of independence when I do it but terrible when I let him try. Worried of worms etc.

Also how on earth do they last so long without going? My DS doesn’t drink loads but I try and get him to drink whenever I can and he can still go 4-5 hours without a wee. Do they have different bladder powers when young?!

[sarat1]

Our toddler is happy with weeing on potty but not pooing yet. He has shown an interest in wiping but I haven’t let him yet. How do I teach him how to wipe?

[ohdannyboy]

My DS 20 months is still wets, but knows when she wants a poo and will ask me to take the nappy down and poo on the potty, (i think it's the discomfort in the nappy) - Is it possible to go straight to training seat on the toilet - and bi-pass the potty all together ? If so what strategy would you recommend

[itsonlysubterfuge]

How do you encourage your child to wipe themselves if they don't want to, while also making sure they do a good job?

[Moonsbury]

Where are all the answers?

[suzieduh]

My son is 2yrs 4 months. I've booked a week off work to potty train in January. He can tell me if he's going for a poo, and most time he will sit on the potty (fully clothed). Do you have any tips for making the week go a little bit easier for us both? I've bought 24 pairs of pants ready to go!

[MeMarmiteYouJam]

My 7yo now has chronic constipation. Any tips or helps on how to address it would be great! We've tried all sorts of behaviour modification techniques - star charts, pictures, buzzing watches, beads in jars, etc. I appreciate it's probably beyond the scope of this thread, as she might be in the realm of special needs now, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask.

[Weirdfisher]

I am worried my friends children are all potty trained, but mine just doesn’t seem ready. What age is best or how do you know when to start training?

[curlyrebel]

My 3.5yo DD is fully potty trained day and night. However I think she withholds her wee when she is at nursery school. When she comes home she goes straight to the potty and her wee is so dark it's like she hasn't been for hours.

She recently got an infection which I think is because of the withholding. She can be particular about sitting on the toilet when there is already wee or anything at all in the bowel, so I wonder if that's why she doesn't go more often at school. What can I do to encourage her to go more and get over any anxieties?

She is also in the habit of making poo at intervals of 3-7 days. She takes movicol and we don't have the nightmare we used to have of constipation but I wonder if she might go more frequently as she gets older?

[purplepandas]

How can you manage bed wetting ( v rare) when away? As in a way to prevent this if staying somewhere where you can't wash sheets etc yourself.

[TaraRhu]

When do you know you child is ready? My son is 2.5. He can tell us when he is doing a poo. But not in time to get to the potty. He has no concept of peeing.

[sallyfox]

teenage boys' behaviour usually changes when they're trying to impress a person they "fancy"

[CornishTiger]

I’m interested in the teaching then to wipe their own bottom too!

[YukoandHiro]

Followed Amanda Jenner's method to the letter. Almost a YEAR later we're still not done. Wish I'd followed my own instincts and waited a lot later instead (started at 2,5 which AJ already thinks is on the late side.... was way too early for my girl)

[YukoandHiro]

Glad to see on this thread that we're not the only one finding poos on the toilet so difficult to crack.

[Sleepybumble]

My daughter is 5 and will occasionally wet her. She always waits till she's desperate so it become a massive drama when we're out and about. She will point blank refuse to sit on the loo to try unless she's desperate. It's ridiculous. We haven't made a fuss but I worry that she'll do it at school amd get picked on. She is also never dry at night so sleeps in pull-ups.

[RugsEverywhere]

Is there such a thing as leaving it too late to start toilet training?

[Laney79]

My son is just about to turn 1 so we haven't started on the toilet training journey yet...but I wondered if there are things we should be doing now to help him when the times comes to start toilet training? Just to try and make the process that but more gradual? Thanks

[Sarah84848484]

I’ve a 15 month old and would like to know what I can do to make potty training easier when I come to it - should I start changing him in the bathroom / standing up for example?

[ButterflyOfFreedom]

How do we get our 7 year old to be more efficient with his toilet roll use????!
I've heard it's pretty common for children to use way too much resulting in blocked toilets etc.

[LibbyMumsnet]

Hi @Moonsbury - Amanda will be answering the questions throughout next week (4th to 8th January)

[Enigma222]

My son is almost turning 3 years old. He will happily wear a pull up and even go and sit on the potty. But will never wee in it. I have a musical potty and have tried introducing a sticker chart. It is not working. Any other recommendations please?