ERIC collaborates with Institute of Health Visiting on new potty training guidance for families

The new iHV Parent Tip offers clear, practical guidance for parents and carers to help children move confidently out of nappies and develop healthy toileting habits.

A collaborative effort

In every child’s development, toilet training is a vital milestone. It supports children to be independent, confidence and ready for school.

Evidence shows it is better for children’s bladder and bowel health to stop using nappies between 18 and 30 months – something ERIC has been advocating for – and the new guidance highlights this important message.

The change in guidance from iHV is based on research and a consensus of leading experts in the field.

It moves away from previous advice to ‘wait until children are ready’ – a myth that ERIC has been working to dispel for a long time.

Some reasons for guidance change:

• Outdated advice: Modern nappies are designed to protect children from feeling wet, and so many will not be aware of having done a wee. Therefore, while some parents may be waiting for ‘signs of readiness’, children may not show signs that it is the right time to stop using nappies.

• In the 1970s and 1980s, 83% of children were out of nappies by 18 months. Children haven’t changed, but society has.

• There is strong evidence that almost all children can learn to use the potty or toilet between 18 to 30 months. This includes most children with additional needs, with the right support.

• Toilet training is about learning skills, and these skills can be taught to children. The longer you wait, the harder it can be later down the line.

The Government are aiming for 75% of children to achieve a Good Level of Development (GLD) by 2028 and this includes self-care skills like being able to use the toilet independently. The iHV Parent Tip supports this – as do ERIC.

In fact, we recently hosted a Parliamentary roundtable discussing the benefits of early toilet training.

According to iHV, Health visitors and health visiting teams are central to achieving this goal, and their vital work with families will support more children to be happy, healthy and ready to learn at school.

Georgina Mayes, iHV Senior Lead for Health Visiting Professional Services, said:

“The iHV Parent Tip on toilet training is a timely and practical resource that will help health visitors and health visiting teams support families through one of the most important milestones in early childhood.

Helping children to come out of nappies between 18 and 30 months, not only promotes healthy bladder and bowel development, but it also supports confidence, independence and school readiness.

Health visitors and health visiting teams are uniquely placed to share this Parent Tip with families, identify any early challenges, provide timely support and guidance, so every child can thrive.”

Siân Wicks, CEO of ERIC, The Children’s Bowel and Bladder Charity, said:

“The first 1001 days of a child’s life – from pregnancy to age two – are when the building blocks for lifelong emotional and physical wellbeing are laid down, and potty training is a key milestone during this period.

Ensuring that children are out of nappies by 18 to 30 months is critical for their ongoing health, which is why ERIC is collaborating with the Institute of Health Visiting to provide guidance for families to ensure children are given the best possible support.

It is essential that families, and the professionals supporting them, have the most accurate and up-to-date information, and in partnership with the Institute of Health Visiting we’re helping to ensure that happens and give every child the best start in life.”