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Birthday Girl

18+months

Accessories that help

To practice toilet learning you don’t need anything special at all except a bit of knowledge and a gentle touch.  After all, many people do this all over the world - from well-off celebrities to those who have nothing to their name but the baby in their arms.

 

The easier it is to provide your toddler a toileting opportunity the more often you will offer. To practice a toilet learning in our busy western world we can make it easier on our toddlers and ourselves with the use of some specific items such as the ones described below.

Back-ups

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Belt with Prefold

Great for newborns (or any age) for a quick on/off.    

A prefold cloth is folded into layers and held in place with a simple elasticated belt.

Also versatile as liners, wipes and dry fast when open flat.

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Wool cover

Covers made from 100% wool are absorbent and catch nappy leaks. Air out between use with occasional hand-wash if dirty.  May need re-lanolising a few times a year for best results.

Image by Padmavathi Ashok Kumar

Cloth Nappies

Fantastic as a general back-up. They often have a waterproof outer and a feel-dry inner.  You can use them as covers over prefolds to help baby keep bodily awareness of wetness.

Image by Brandless

Disposables

Helpful for our modern life if used sparingly and consciously. If used in excess they're not helpful to keeping bodily awareness. Compostable options sometimes available.

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Training Pants

Useful in the preparation phase or later on as they can absorb one pee and briefly contain a poo. Available in cotton (to show wet) or waterproofed. They fit slim and are easy to move in. 

By using prefold liners within a cloth cover you can reduce your washing.  Just change the prefold liner after each missed pee and reuse the cover a few more times. Good guidance for washing nappies is described by The Nappy Lady here.

Easy-access clothing

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Split Pants

Split pants are generally used without a backup for toddlers.  They appear closed when walking but open by themselves when crouching.

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Chaps

Chaps or chap leggings are used with a backup underneath (i.e. prefold tucked under the waist-band) or on top (i.e. nappy) to offer without undressing.

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Legwarmers

Legwarmers are used instead of pants of any kind so you can offer without undressing. They are great in winter and also protect knees when crawling.

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Sleep gown

A great piece of clothing for sleeping in as you can have quick and silent access to your nappy or other backup, or to offer a toilet opportunity.

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Shirt/Dress/Tunic

Simply wearing a shirt or dress with a backup (and pants) is an easy and clean way to get quick access (compared to onesies with buttons between the legs).

Potties

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Top Hat Potty

Perfect for assisting newborns when toileting.  Just place the top hat potty between your legs and hold your baby over it in a close secure hold.

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Mini Potty

Mini potties are fantastic once your baby can sit by themselves or prefers it. You can sit behind them for support and to help them with their clothing.

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Toilet Insert

Toilet inserts are great as an intermediate step if your baby can sit comfortably - always stay there for safety until you are confident they won't fall.

Hotel sink

Sink

A very convenient place to use an in-arm hold; often there's a mirror to see what's going on and any pee or newborn poo is washed away quickly & easily.

Image by Jan Kolar / VUI Designer

Toilet

The end goal but also a useful spot to use for in-arm holds early on as clean up is a breeze and they're generally readily available when out and about.

Other useful items

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Waterproof pad

Particularly helpful to put under your baby when sleeping in bed in case a nappy or other backup leaks.  Waterproof qualities can be achieved with felt wool, fleece or a PUL backing. 

Image by LumenSoft Technologies

Washcloths

For most everyday wet-wiping a washable cloth is the nicest and easily refreshed in the washing machine. Preferably natural fiber to be sensitive on the skin and the environment. 

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Babycarrier

Keeping baby close can help you get in sync as babies - newborns especially - will squirm to get off you when carried as they prefer not to pee/poo on you.

Image by Shot By Ireland

Mirror/Toys

Some babies - mainly older ones - really enjoy mirrors or toys as something to interact with while going to the toilet.  Sometimes it takes a little extra to relax into it for some.

Image by Kelli McClintock

Books

Older babies may enjoy learning about toileting through simple picture books on the topic.  Talking about the process is a major part of their learning and books are a good prompt.

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