Your first week: build the day around routine, not the clock

A calm plan for the first few days without nappies, built on the moments that already happen every day.

You’ve decided to go for it. The first week can feel like a lot, mostly because of the washing. The good news is that the official guidance is simple, and much of it rests on moments that already happen in your day.

The NHS’s five steps, in plain terms

Tell them what’s happening. Explain the change simply and calmly, during a settled period.
Switch to pants in the daytime. The NHS says to stop using all types of nappies during the day, and that includes pull-ups.
Build a routine. Take your child to the potty or toilet at regular times. Don’t wait for them to ask.
Praise the effort. Clapping, stickers or a reward chart are all fine. Praise the trying, not just the result.
Build independence gradually. Wiping, flushing, pulling pants up and washing hands all come with time.

Anchor the day to things that already happen

Rather than watching the clock, the NHS suggests encouraging a try at predictable points:

when they wake up
after meals
before leaving the house
before naps
before bed
whenever you’re out and pass a toilet

These anchors suit how toddler bodies work: there’s often a wee on waking and a poo after a meal. They also help because the try becomes part of the routine rather than an interruption. A long morning at home may still need a gentle reminder in between. Just keep those gaps reasonable, which is the subject of next week’s post.

One way to shape the week

This isn’t official guidance, just a shape that many families find helpful:

Days 1–3: stay mostly at home or close to it. Use the anchors, offer plenty of drinks, keep clothes easy to pull down and expect lots of accidents.
Days 4–5: try short trips out, with a toilet stop before you leave and spare clothes in the bag.
Days 6–7: start handing over small bits of independence, like pulling pants up, flushing and washing hands.

Expect accidents, and lots of them

ERIC says it’s normal to have lots of accidents at the beginning, and that they’re an important part of learning. A first week full of puddles doesn’t mean it isn’t working. Stay calm, clean up together and move on. (Accidents get their own post in a couple of weeks.)

In the US

AAP guidance focuses on letting children take ownership of toileting. It advises against treats and punishments in general and against power struggles. If you use stickers or praise, keep them about effort and keep the tone light. The NHS’s “all types of nappies” includes pull-ups (training pants), and the principle of daytime underwear is the same in the US.

When to get help

If your child seems to be in pain when they wee or poo, is doing hard or infrequent poos, or nothing seems to be clicking after a few weeks, talk to your health visitor or GP (or paediatrician in the US).