Toilet Training for Infants - One Mother's Journey

Our sincere gratitude to Keira for sharing her daughter's infant potty training journey with us. The first part in this mini series can be viewed here.

I decided to start toilet training at times that my daughter would regularly ‘go’. For us, this was within a few minutes after taking her nappy off, within a few minutes of waking and half way through a breastfeed. So armed with a $6.50 potty from Target, our journey began! Some people use a sink, others a simple bucket and some the toilet, whatever works for you.

I can’t remember the exact first time I put her on the potty, but she was 3 months old and able to hold her own head up, so it wasn’t too difficult. I sat her on the potty and held her there. When she eventually started to pee, I made a SHHHHH noise until she stopped. This is so she learned a ‘cue’ to go. The next time I put her on, I made the exact same noise when she peed. I kept doing this and before long, I could put her on the potty, make the noise, and she would go. It REALLY was this simple. It was around this time she also did her first potty poo. I was so excited and proud that I took photos of it and sent them to my husband at work lol! Before long her little body started forming very distinct patterns for pooping and she showed more control too. At this time we bought an insert seat for the normal toilet and she has been on there ever since. No more having to clean out the potty; just one flush and it’s all gone. Bliss!

 

I was determined to never make this a stressful or unhappy experience for myself and my baby. If she ever cried or kicked off when I put her on the potty, I would stop straight away. I also wouldn’t get upset if she peed during nappy off time or as I was putting the nappy back on, after all, she’s still a baby! I’ve also noticed that her willingness to participate also changes constantly. At times she will go 90% of the time she is put on the toilet, other times, like now, she will rarely sit still! But even now, despite kicking off the toilet 90% of the time, she will still do all her poops there so we’re still winning if you ask me!

The key points to getting started:

 • Keep an eye out for timing patterns and get started at those times.
• Keep an eye out for body language – pulling off a feed, faces, sounds, looks, anything that you notice indicates when baby wants to go.

• Use a cue and make sure to be consistent with the same sound.

• Keep baby dry and clean as much as possible so they don’t get used to being in a soiled nappy.
• Never try and force your baby, or continue if they are upset, make it a fun experience for both of you.

• Always praise your baby when they go, show them how happy you are but never get upset or angry with them if they don’t.

• Be easy on yourself and relax. Don’t worry if there are times you can’t manage to be as focused as you need to be. Once you get bub going, they will understand even at times when you practise less frequently.

As you get better at reading your baby’s signs, your baby will also get better at knowing what to do. It is a learning process for both of you and if done in a relaxed and happy manner, one that will be both enjoyable and very rewarding. Just “go with the flow” and practise when it feels right for both of you. Once you find your own rhythm the rest will all just fall into place. I have listed some links and resources below to get you started.

Have fun!

Diaper Free Baby
Introduction to EC
Natural Parenting Sydney

Tribal Baby

© Keira Alexander 2012
Keira services South Sydney between Bondi and Wollongong. Email her today to arrange for a free nappy party or one-on-one demonstration. Join the South Sydney Facebook community.