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

[Rae1000]

I would like to know how I csan make older children leave the toilet (inside the pan and out) in a reasonable state? Asking politely doesn't work. Moaning doesn't work... Thanks

[FestiveStuffing]

@strawberry2017 I was also having this problem (asked the same question after you did on here), but today DD has decided she's going to start using the actual toilet with her little training seat thingy and stepstool. No idea what brought it on, but a week ago I moved her potty into the same room as the toilet and she's been going at the same time I do in the mornings so that may have had something to do with it. I'd try that if you've not yet.

[strawberry2017]

@FestiveStuffing that sounds like a really good idea I'll give it a go.

[ChickArito]

My son started school in September and has been out of nappies for a year. Dealing with poo had been a real headache as he seems to use it as a control issue. At school he tries hard to keep his pants clean and has the odd accident.

At home he just seems more indifferent and seems to find it amusing to not bother most of the time and have poo in his pants. We see the signs but he will deny anything is happening. Yet, if he does have a poo on the toilet at home he is thrilled.

[Essex123]

My 3yrs 3month is not interested in toilet/potty training at all, pre school keep on at me about it, should I wait until he's ready or go cold turkey?

[BernardBernard]

Both my dds have terribly dry hands from all of the sanitiser and hand washing at school. At home I try and keep them moisturised but is there anything else I can do while still maintaining high hygiene levels?

[yuyubooboo]

I've had a real battle to ensure my DC3 washes their hands afterwards. He does if I'm watching him but not otherwise. We've talked about it and bought fun soaps and I've tried all sorts. I'm getting nowhere!

[riotlady]

Any tips on psychological readiness for potty training? My DD is nearly 3 and if she ever feels a wee coming and isn’t wearing a nappy she cries hysterically and insists we get her a nappy. She’s very resistant to sitting on a potty and the one time she accidentally weed in one became very distressed. We don’t make a big deal out of toilet stuff so not sure why she’s so intensely upset about it!

[sjonlegs]

Any tips on aiming towards dry nights and bladder control. My son is older and has special needs. Would restricting his fluid intake before bed make any difference at all - or should bladder holding come automatically? Any advice gratefully received. Thanks

[Bambinococo]

My 7-8 foster daughter will not attempt to clean her bum after poo what's me to do it she also holds it in at school. Has wet herself most days at school and needs to wear pull ups at night as always wet in morning. Even at home I need to remind her to have a pee.

[Redruby2020]

Son turning 3 soon, never rushed it out pressure on potty training etc as yet, he has got a potty, I got it a good few months ago so that he had it there and could get comfortable with seeing it/sitting on it etc. He has had like 1-2 wee's in it at most. Though a few said summer nice time to start we were not in our own place then, lots of other stressful things going on too, and then we moved, and I am aware that they say you should not start it when other things going on. But I would like him to start if he's ready, and would like some beginners tips/advice, thank you!

[MRex]

My son is almost always weeing outside the potty and toilet; he gets about half the wee in but seems to often suddenly start pointing it outwards when he'd been tucked down. I keep telling him to keep knees together and stay focused on keeping it down, but he gets distracted just as he starts, or worse just sticks his hand in and starts waving it about as he starts weeing. We are very new to potty training and haven't gone for full training yet because he mostly only wants to use the potty in the mornings or the toilet (with toddler seat) for a poo; we would push him more because he knows when he needs to go (and can even wait if needed), but we need to get him able to actually use the potty without getting wee everywhere first. Any techniques would be much appreciated please.

[Hugbear]

How do you encourage a very hyper child (aged 5) to sit on the toilet until they finish their wee or poo rather than rush through and then go straight back to the toilet?

[thatdarncat]

Only An Excuse

[thatdarncat]

Anyone watched tonight? And who in their previous lives were avid football fans?

Previous years have been rubbish but tonight was rather pleasant. A nice all down memory lane and much needed 😂

[Purplemirror]

How do I get my child to pee in the bowl and not all over the seat?!

[Powaqa]

My 3 year old has been fully potty trained and dry in the night for the last 9 months. 2 days ago she has started wetting and soiling herself again and refuses to use the potty or loo. She doesn't have a uti and isn't constipated. Why is this happening?

[jobbyjg]

My ds was port trained at 2.3 months everything went well until he turned 3, now he withholds poo and will only do in a spot in bed. He's become so constipated . He eats and drinks well. Could this be psychological?

[micc]

My four year old has always had toilet issues.
She struggles to wipe properly. She likes to be independent and is very head strong. So she hates it when I remind her what to do. She always forgets one, either washing hands, flushing the loo or wiping! And I sometimes see shes only used one sheet! 🤢 I have explained a few times how to wipe but she doesnt really take on what I say. I think because potty training was such a nightmare she really doesnt like talking about the toilet with us.

How do I approach this with her in a way she would like?

[BrizzleMaverick]

I've already mentioned about my three year old only pooing in his pants.
Now the situation with my six year old is out of control, he will not go to the toilet in any public bathroom, not in a park toilets, cafe or local museum or shopping centre. He is afraid of the hand dryers but we never use them and he would go happily but now he even refuses to come in to the actual bathroom. As you can imagine this is proving quite difficult with a three year who needs cleaning and being unable to leave a six year old by himself.

[Twistiesandshout]

How do you toilet train a child under 18 months? It is common in dh culture

[TopBants]

@Twistiesandshout Google elimination communication.

[Sometimes123]

My son is 2 years and 5 months old. At nursery in September he had a wee in the toilet on one occasion, but refused to do it again. He appears to understand that he needs a poo and will approach us asking his nappy to be changed, but refuses to use the toilet. We have a paw patrol toilet seat thingy (to make toilet smaller for him, but he wont sit on it.) He is surrounded by other children using the toilet all day, but has no interest. However, his nappy is not dry when he wakes up on a morning, so maybe he's not ready? I haven't pushed it with him, because I don't want him to build any negative associations, but I'm not sure where to start or what to do. I know that I can't ignore the issue forever. Any advice is much appreciated.

[Ihoeihoeihoe]

My son has not long turned one but as a first time mom I’m wondering how to even start the process when the time comes? I’ve been told when he fully acknowledges that he is peeing/pooping or has done one that is when I should start - but how? Are certain potty’s better? What age do I transition to the toilet or standing up for a pee? Such a good thread I already have a million questions haha!

[SuzCG]

After a really hard swimming session my DS wet the bed that night - would you say this was just exhaustion and would you consider that 'normal'? Prior to this he never had accidents - leaves it til the last minute yes, but never too late!