Knowing when to start potty training is a common question with an answer as simple as: when your child is ready, there’s no one size fits all approach. Sometimes this starts as early as 18 months, in other cases it doesn’t happen until age 4. That said, most children typically start potty training between 18 and 30 months.
Potty training is more than simply using the potty. It involves the steps you take in teaching your little one how to use the potty and the cues you learn from them. For many kids, this is the first big step in their maturity and development, so you want to make this an enjoyable experience for all.
The following signs may indicate that your child is ready to start potty training:
Successful potty training requires consistency and patience. As mentioned, timing is important – so try to avoid times where there could be major distractions or environmental changes, such as moving house.
Even before using the potty, there are a number of fun ways you can introduce it. Such as reading children’s books, teaching your little one what it looks like, or using craft activities like this colouring-in maze. Find more fun activities on our News + Resources hub.
You may also like to involve them in purchasing the potty, making the process fun from day one! This is also a good way to check that they sit comfortably on it.
Normalise the idea of going to the potty by introducing it into everyday conversation; saying things like: “I wonder if Jay Jay (or your child’s favourite character) needs to go potty” or “I have to go wee, I’m going to use the potty.” The idea is to raise awareness about going potty and make your child comfortable with the concept before introducing action. These techniques may also pique their interest and get them excited by the potential of trying it themselves.
You may like to follow a schedule or introduce key times throughout the day that they should go to the potty. For example, first thing when they wake up, every couple of hours, before leaving the house, before and after nap time and the final step in your bedtime routine. Even if they object to “not needing to go,” the ritual of going to the potty and through the motions involved with this process, reinforces the habit. Eventually, it should become part of their routine.
Make a habit of the routine by asking them to remove their pants, diaper, and sitting on the potty for a few minutes. Switching from diapers to Rascal + Friends premium training pants help make change-time easier and are perfect for potty training. Made with up to 12 hour leak protection, an extra stretchy waistband and easy-tear sides, learn more about our seriously good features and find the right size.
Teach good hygiene habits early on, and stick to them. The final part of “going to the potty” should include using toilet paper to clean, proper disposal and washing up. Make the sink, soap and hand towel accessible to them (you could use a stepping stool), and help them wash their hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
Make hand washing fun with colourful soaps and singing their favourite song with them. With time, they may like to start doing this independently.
Essential to the potty training process is positive reinforcement and patience. It will take time for their body to adjust to using the potty, and accidents are part of the learning process. Try not to react to these occasions with frustration. Instead, offer reassurance, help them change into a clean diaper, and explain why we use the potty and what we can try do next time.
When they use the potty successfully, offer gentle praise or a small reward like a sticker chart. Positive reinforcement of their behaviour and what they did successfully also helps them learn.
Download: CoComelon Potty Training Charts
Toilet training is simply the next step up from potty training – that is, using the actual toilet instead of a potty. While every child is different, most are ready to start the toilet training process between 20 months and three years old.
Let’s discuss the signs you can look out for, which indicate your little one may ready to start toilet training. We’ll also cover toilet training tips and how to handle mishaps.
Even if your child shows signs of being ready, they may still be nervous about using the toilet and it will take some time to adjust. Encourage them by being positive, calm and patient.
It’s one thing to master daytime potty or toilet training, but staying dry overnight is another learning process.
It can take some time for toddlers to sense that their bladder is full or hold their urine overnight. In fact, most children’s systems don’t develop enough to stay dry all night until at least age 5, 6 or even 7. Bed wetting through to age 7 is considered normal and not a problem to worry about.
Once toilet trained, it’s normal for your toddler to be dry during the day but still need a diaper at night. Rascal + Friends CoComelon training pants make change-time easier with easy-tear sides and an extra stretchy waistband. They’re easy to pull up, like underpants, and are a great transition from a diaper to underpants. Also made for potty training, our premium training pants are made with up to 12 hour leak protection and will keep your jumping junior comfy and dry, day and night.
If you’ve successfully gone through the toilet training process and your child starts to wet their pants again, don’t give up. There are a number of reasons as to why they’ve taken a step back, such as:
While this can be a bit frustrating, remember that they are also adapting to a new routine. The experience will be different for each child, and ultimately you want to build their confidence and independence.
Every child will be different and the real secret behind successful toilet training is waiting until they’re ready. There’s no deadline, so try not get too caught up in the timing of it all.
Keep it fun, positive and enjoy watching them take another step in their growth and independence!
A consistent bedtime routine helps your toddler understand that it’s time to wind down for the day, and prepares them for a restful night. Bedtime is an opportunity to spend quality time with your little one – but it can also be chaotic as kids want nothing else but to play, and tired parents become frustrated. You may have tried to introduce a routine of your own but are struggling to make it stick.
Here are 3 easy tips to help get your bedtime routine back on track, and (most importantly) a good night’s sleep for the whole family!
Their environment is key, especially when you’re trying to switch the mood from playtime to quiet time. Try keep their bedroom calm and soothing – it’s much easier for them to drift off that way.
If your little one is easily distracted by playful toys, take these out of the bedtime-battle equation and leave them outside of the bedroom. You can gently introduce this rule by explaining that their toy is to also going to sleep, and that they can see them again in the morning. Your child may also like to act out the motion of putting their toys to bed as well.
If they enjoy the company of a toy during the night, opt for a soft toy that specifically becomes their ‘night time teddy’ (or whatever their favourite toy is). It may stay in their bed and be the incentive to help them leave behind other toys. Just make sure this bedtime toy doesn’t make any playful animations or sounds!
Your toddler’s bedtime routine shouldn’t feel like a burden or long list of tasks to complete every night. While structure can help them learn the process involved to wind down for the evening, it’s also an opportunity to spend quality time with your little one. Make it fun for both of you. Some ideas include:
Keep it routine. That means even after a long day or even when the kids are extra fussy, still try to follow the sequence of events in your routine. Of course, that’s easier said than done, and there will be times where you can’t go through all the motions. Don’t feel like you’ve thrown in the towel if you miss a few steps here and there. Just know that with good consistency, your toddler will start to make these steps habits of their own without your instruction. This responsibility helps to make bedtime a more seamless process in the long run.
Remember, a bedtime routine doesn’t have to be a complicated series of events. It should include the range of motions that help you get the essentials done, and be an enjoyable experience for the whole family.
RELATED: Your Guide to Potty Training
First time changing a diaper? Follow this simple step-by-step guide and save for later.
Did you know: On average, each baby will have 3,500 diaper changes before they are toilet trained
Made with seriously good features, Rascal + Friends premium diapers also have a unique fit. Here’s a few tips on how the diaper should fit:
If your baby is in-between sizes, contact our Customer Love team to get their expert advice on the perfect Rascal + Friends fit.
Learn more about our seriously good features here.
Babies need frequent diaper changes to keep their skin clean, fresh and to help prevent diaper rash. If your baby has sensitive skin, changing their diaper as soon as they wet themselves can prevent further irritation.
It is recommended that your baby’s diaper is changed as soon as possible when they have done a poo.
Newborns may need changing as many times as 10 to 12 times a day, while older babies average 6 to 8 times per day.
Diaper rash, or diaper dermatitis, is a rash in the diaper area. Your baby’s skin may look red, raw and even a bit spotty at the edge of the rash. The severity of diaper rash can range from mild irritation to extremely sore.
While diaper rash is a common baby skin condition that can often be treated at home, seeing your little one in pain is difficult and the problem can be quite persistent. So how can parents best prevent diaper rash in the first place, or best manage it once it appears?
Prevention is the best medicine in this case. The best and most simple way to keep diaper rash from appearing is to keep your baby in clean, dry diapers. Every two to three hours is a good rule of thumb for change-frequency, but if you find that your little one is messy again after just an hour, make sure to change it right away.
When cleaning the area, pay special attention to any folds in the skin. Bacteria can easily get trapped here, causing rashes and irritation. Use an unscented baby wipe or wetted cloth to clean the diaper area. Rascal + Friends sensitive baby wipes are pH balanced, made with a 99% natural formula and are dermatologically certified to be safe on sensitive skin.
Applying a gentle, unscented lotion with each diaper change can ensure that the area stays healthy. Just be sure the skin is completely clean and dry before applying any lotions or ointments.
When a diaper rash appears, changes can become more challenging as cleaning the area may cause pain and discomfort for your little one. It’s important, now more than ever, to keep your change routine frequent, so they stay in a fresh diaper with clean skin. Continue to generously apply a diaper ointment, and water can also be a great gentle solution for cleaning the area – just avoid using soap as it can dry out the skin and cause further irritation.
Allow the skin to completely air dry before putting on a new diaper. You may also like to try ‘no diaper time’ to let skin completely dry and breathe.
Diaper rash can also be caused by a sensitivity to diaper products, whether that be diapers, ointments, or baby wipes. Start by ensuring that all of the products you’re using are unscented, as fragrances are a common sensitivity and could be causing the irritation of the skin. Using sensitive baby wipes, minimum ingredient lotions, and diapers made for sensitive skin can also improve the state of a little one’s rash.
If the problem persists after you’ve taken all these measures or progresses to the point of open sores or bleeding, consult your paediatrician.
Rascal + Friends premium diapers, are made with sensitive skin in mind. Certified by world leading organisations to be safe and ultra gentle on sensitive skin, our premium products are made with no nasties, just love.
We are proudly:
Learn more about our no nasties policy
RELATED: When to Start Toilet Training
Our ultimate newborn essentials checklist to make sure you’re ready for the baby’s arrival. You may also like our guide to Preparing for the baby’s arrival in your third trimester of pregnancy.
Your little one will grow out in and out of clothing sizes, fast! Rather than buy everything at once, you may like to have these basics on hand:
If you’re breastfeeding:
If you’re formula feeding:
As your due date approaches, starting preparing a bag for your hospital stay. While you want to be prepared, less is more. Most of the essentials will be provided for you at the hospital. A plan/map of the best route to the hospital is also a helpful step in your preparation. That way there’s no need to panic when the time comes!
Download and print our FREE hospital bag checklist
There’s few transitions in life more stressful than bringing home a baby, especially if you’re a first time parent. While there’s plenty of excitement and buzz around the baby’s arrival, there’s also nerves, sleeplessness and baby brain.
If you know someone bringing home a newborn, consider how you can lighten their load with helpful support.
When you’re caring for a new baby and recovering from giving birth, making healthy home cooked meals is the last thing on the to-do list. Bringing over a meal or two is great, but an even better way to support is to organise family and friends into a meal train, or a schedule of people taking turns bringing over food to support the family.
There are plenty of online systems to help organise, such as www.mealtrain.com, but simply keeping a calendar and reaching out to friends by phone or text works just as well. Both the new parents are going to be greatly appreciative of low-effort meals, and won’t have to put in the extra time and energy to have good, filling, healthy food.
If you are planning to visit, consider how you can become a helpful visitor.
Between a whole raft of family and friends wanting to come over and meet the family, parents will feel an extra layer of stress trying to be accomodating hosts and keep the house presentable. Offer to bring round lunch, or schedule your visit at a time where you can help the parents with chores. The small things can really make a difference. Such as offering to watch baby while they take a shower, cleaning up the dishes or doing a load of laundry.
You could also offer to pick up anything en route to your visit or offer to run errands. Picking up groceries, a restock of diapers (find a stockist of Rascal + Friends near you) or baby essentials they may have forgotten can be really helpful.
While your visit and support will certainly be appreciated, be respectful of their time and know your curfew.
While practical support will lighten their load, so will your emotional support. Especially during the ups and downs of the first few months of parenthood, the stress, anxiety, and excitement can feel overwhelming.
The level of emotional support they require from you will vary from person to person, and some are more forward with these requests than others. A few ways you can offer support include:
Learn more about building support networks in this article: Managing Stress in Early Parenthood
Bringing home a newborn baby comes with a whole range of emotions – from excitement and relief, to overwhelming stress as parents try adapt to a new lifestyle. Rest assured, these feelings are common and there’s plenty of ways you can manage this stress. Here’s a few tips:
Be kind to yourself and be aware of your expectations.
The likes of social media, magazines and the experience of friends and family may have pressured you to do things a certain way. You may have had a clear picture of what parenting life would look like for you, and this may or may not be your current reality. While this can be disheartening, remember that your parenting journey is just that – it’s yours!
It’s an experience you’ll never be able to exactly replicate, one that’s entirely your own, and something you should be proud of. From day one, there will be ups and downs, highs and lows and unexpected twists and turns. Stress will come in waves, but so will the burst of joy that comes from raising a child of your own.
Be open to the range of experiences that come with parenting, knowing that some days will be more difficult than others and this is normal. You are not the only one who is struggling with life as a new parent.
Especially in the postpartum period, your support network is important.
Early parenthood can be lonely, and it’s no wonder. Your previous way of life has dramatically changed, and you’re trying to navigate the responsibility of a newborn. You’re enduring both physical and emotional change, and it can feel like you’re the only one who’s struggling. While it’s okay to feel this way, know that you aren’t alone, and that everyone has good and bad days.
This is why a support network is so important. You may like to build your network with professional support, such as an antenatal group or a healthcare professional, and some lighter relief, such as friends and family on speed dial for when you need a babysitter or a good laugh!
Don’t be afraid of calling on your network when you need it. Ask for help, and know that doing so, you are learning how to be a better parent and enjoy this experience.
The best thing for parents to do is to let it go! A new baby doesn’t care if there is laundry on the floor or dishes in the sink
While finding time to do anything other than take care of your new baby is far easier said than done, it’s also critical for managing the stress of new parenthood. Find some time for a friend or family member to take care of the baby so you can have a moment to yourself.
You may like to take a nap, run a long bath, or even head outside the house. Recharge your batteries and come back refreshed and ready to go. Plus, you’ll be amazed how much good it can do you to turn off parenting brain for even an hour!
Organise a schedule with your partner so it’s clear who is taking care of the baby. It also means you can make sure each parent has scheduled breaks. It might work best to designate time slots, or to alternate getting out of bed.
Clearly communicating responsibilities will prevent a lot of frustration and resentment when it’s 3:00am and everyone is tired!
Many new parents feel creeping guilt about all of the tasks they neglect when taking care of a new baby. Managing housework, keeping up with a diet and exercise routine, or maintaining relationships with friends and family suddenly all become more difficult with a newborn.
The best thing for parents to do is to let it go! A new baby doesn’t care if there is laundry on the floor or dishes in the sink, and they certainly don’t care if you haven’t worked out this week. Complete these tasks as is comfortable, functional, and fulfilling for you, but don’t pressure yourself to live up to a standard.
Give yourself the grace to be a little behind on things right now, and focus on what’s important – the health and happiness of your family. The special moments of early parenthood will fly by, so make the most of them.
Be prepared to be feeding your newborn around the clock. Read below our suggestions for feeding time essentials, which you may like to store in a basket to always be prepared.
Download checklist to save for later
| Premium Original Nappy | Premium Eco Nappy |
|---|---|
| Gentle and absorbent topsheet | Gentle and absorbent plant-based topsheet |
| Non-woven fabric wrapped core | Sustainable tissue wrapped core |
| Water resistant and breathable film | Plant-based, water resistant and breathable biofilm |
| Soft and breathable backsheet | Soft and breathable plant-based backsheet |
| Soft recyclable packaging | Home/commercially compostable packaging |
| 3D core containing sustainable pulp | Core containing sustainable pulp |
| Double leak guards | ✓ |
| Soft leg cuffs for a comfortable fit | ✓ |
| No lotions, fragrance or latex | ✓ |
| Highback Waistband | ✓ |
| Custom designed grip tabs | ✓ |
| Up to 12 hours leakage protection* | ✓ |
*Hours may vary according to individual baby’s urine amount
