Nurse Rebecca Mottram shares her top nappy changing tips for parents plus when they should start introducing the potty.
One of the most Googled questions by prospective parents is “how to change a nappy/diaper” and despite generating millions of results, every single one is a missed opportunity to provide parents with critical information about nappy use that will help to inform and prepare them for the major childhood milestone that is potty training.
As a healthcare professional, I want parents to understand that whilst nappies have become an essential part of modern life, they also prevent your child from developing the toileting skills they would otherwise begin learning at birth. Nappies disconnect your child from being aware of their bodily processes and practising the 40 skills necessary to one day use a toilet independently. So in my nappy changing tips video, I explain how to support your baby’s development by also using the potty.
Nappy changing tips
To change your baby’s nappy you will need:
- a bowl of clean warm water
- cotton wool
- a fresh nappy
- a soft mat to lay your baby on
- a potty
Introducing the potty to your baby
You can help your baby to use the potty from the day they are born. Babies have a strong instinct to be clean and dry and are capable of sensing when they need to wee or poo from their first moments of life. This is why they often cry when their nappy is soiled.
By around 6 months, your baby can more clearly communicate that they need to wee or poo and by 12-18 months are capable of using the potty independently if given the opportunity to practise.
Just like you learn to observe your baby’s signals for when they are hungry or tired, you can learn to notice when they need to wee and poo and help them to do it in the potty either some or all of the time.
The earlier your child learns that the potty is for weeing and pooing and is familiar with wee and poo going in the toilet, the easier the transition to moving on from nappies will be. By meeting this fundamental need in a developmentally appropriate way, you also strengthen your attachment as a caregiver, build trust, support their overall communication skills and also their bladder and bowel health.
You can learn how to potty your baby in my first book.
Nurse Rebecca Mottram is an advocate for Baby Pottying and a potty training expert. She is the author of two books; The Baby Pottying Guide and Positively Potty, the host of the Go Potty Podcast and founder of the Little Bunny Bear shop. If you are trying to resolve a potty problem, you can explore Rebecca’s free resources, join her Facebook group or request a private consultation.