POTTY TRAINING: 4 Mums Share Tricks That Worked For Them

Grace Fagbohun

Quite a number of mums have sent in questions on this same subject, mostly asking what they can do to fully have their kids potty trained as early as possible. We got a few mums to share how they helped their little ones attain this very important milestone.

Naked Time – Funmi Ojelade, mum to Shindara (3 years old)

I started potty training my son at the age of 2. I allowed my son move around our home…naked, or in just a T-shirt. When he’s not wearing a diaper or underwear, he’ll have no place to pee or poo and he’ll need to do it somewhere and the toilet would be a good idea! After pooping or peeing in the potty, we both have a look (yuck, I know, but the visual is important.) We made flushing a huge deal by pointing at the swirling water and acknowledging the cool whooshing sound. We also dyed the toilet water with red or blue food colouring. When it changes to orange or green, my son loved knowing that he’d caused it!

Reward System – Kemi Fatoki, mum to Oyindasola (4) and Juwon (19 months old)

When my daughter turned 15 months, I started potty training and had to stop in winter. Going back to start all over in summer wasn’t as difficult as I thought. I used stickers and stamps on the hand as potty prizes. I kicked it up a notch by taking her to the store so she can pick out a super-special potty prize for a training milestone like the first full day in  her undies. I also motivated her with food prizes like a pizza party for dinner or ice cream. Times I didn’t want to spend money, I looked around my house for an art work we could do together and displayed it so she could show off her ‘potty prize.’

Portia Alagba, mum to Ifeoma (2+) and Emeka (3 months old)

My daughter  is 2 years and 3 months, I just started training her to use the potty. It has not been an easy journey. At first, when I try to make her sit on the potty she would scream and throw a tantrum. She’d leave the potty only to mess up her underwear shortly after. Anytime this happens, I tell her what she did is meant to be done in the potty.

Then I realised she loves posing for the camera, so anytime she’s on the potty I take photos of her and show her when she’s done. She started sitting on the potty because of the photos and made only wee. By the following week, we scaled through the ‘big one.’ I don’t hesitate to praise her every time she does it right. Now, she uses her potty without me reminding her.
To make it easier for both of us during the night, I stop giving liquids by 7 p.m. Then, I only have to take her to her potty twice during the night. It’s a big milestone for our family.

Lara Aloko, mum to Eniola (3) and Kanyisola (4 months old)

Whenever my son did his business in the potty, I was always ready to cheer, clap, smile and hug (celebratory dance parties are huge in our house!). I also let him make a few phone calls to Grandma so he can brag about his major triumph. The more people who make a big deal about this, the better!
Above all, I praise all attempts to use the potty even if nothing happens.

Got more tips? Share with other mums below.