Meet Rebecca, Pura’s potty training expert!
Published on
Hello! I’m Rebecca Mottram, a children’s nurse, author, and mum, and I’m thrilled to join Pura as the brand’s potty training expert. As someone who is deeply committed to sustainability and health, I couldn’t be more excited to collaborate with Pura. Together, we’re here to support you, whether your little one is in nappies, on the potty, or somewhere in between.
Babies can use the potty!
You might be surprised to learn that in many parts of the world, parents don’t rely on nappies in the way we do. Instead, they use a simple, responsive approach called ‘‘natural infant hygiene’, or as I like to call it, baby pottying. It means helping your baby use a potty some or most of the time, often from birth.
So with amazing eco-friendly nappies like Pura’s, why consider baby pottying at all? Because combining the two can reduce waste, support your baby’s development, and gently prepare them for independence from nappies, at their own pace.
Benefits of helping your baby use a potty
There are many reasons why helping babies and young toddlers use a potty is a good idea, including:
-Good for bowel and bladder health
-Helps prevent colic and constipation
-Improves baby sleep
-More hygienic
-Reduces fussiness when feeding
-Helps develop their communication skills
-Builds skills gradually, supporting a gentle journey to potty independence
Good for the environment, potentially halving the number of nappies they need overall.
However, perhaps the biggest benefit of helping your baby use a potty is how it helps you develop a healthy attachment and strengthen the bond between you and your child:
“I started putting Lilly on the potty when she was just a few months old, and I honestly didn’t expect how much it would bring us closer. It’s not just about the potty; it’s about connection." – Jen, parent.
Making it work for you and your baby
Making the potty part of their daily routine is a good way to start, e.g. using the potty when your baby wakes up, or after breakfast for a poo or in the evenings as part of a bedtime routine. Even just one potty opportunity every now and again will help develop skills.
Potty learning between 0-18 months
Babies are amazing learners. Research shows that they are aware of their bodily functions like weeing and pooing from day 1. Between 0–18 months, many babies can:
- Recognise the urge to wee or poo and show signals (like fussing, grunting, or going quiet)
- Respond to a cue sound associated with toileting (like a “psss” noise or word)
- Start to understand common potty-related words
- Associate routine times (after waking, after feeds) with using the potty
- Sit on a potty with support
Between 0-18 months is a great age to help your baby learn familiarity with the potty so that when the time comes to stop using nappies completely, they already have many skills.
How to start: gentle potty learning for 0–18 months
You don’t need to overhaul your routine or stop using nappies to support early potty learning. In fact, Pura’s eco-conscious nappies make it easy to combine sustainability with practical parenting.
Here are some simple ways to begin:
1. Watch and learn
Spend a few days observing your baby’s rhythms. Do they usually poo after a feed? Wake with a full nappy? These are ideal times to gently introduce the potty.
2. Use the potty after waking
Babies often wee after waking from sleep. Try offering the potty at this time as part of your morning routine.
3. Focus on the poo
Perhaps you already know when your baby is likely to poo, or you can tell because you recognise their ‘poo’ face. If so, try taking off your baby’s nappy and help them do the poo in the potty instead.
4. Make toileting words part of your day
Talk to your baby about what’s happening: “You’re doing a wee,” or “Time for a nappy change, let’s get you clean and dry.” Use consistent words like wee, poo, potty, or toilet to help them build understanding and association.
5. Try nappy-free time
Allow a few minutes each day without a nappy, e.g. just before bath time or after a change. This helps babies feel their body’s natural signals and supports their physical awareness. Using a natural fibre pad like this one, as a mattress protector, changing pad or nappy-free mat, helps you avoid extra washing and helps regulate your baby’s temperature.
6. Use a cue sound
Try associating a gentle sound (like “wee-wee-wee” or “psss”) when your baby wees or poos. Over time, they may begin to associate the sound with the action.
7. Make it routine, not pressure
Consistency, not intensity, is the key. If weekends or bedtime are your calmest times, start thee. Just one regular potty opportunity a day builds familiarity and confidence.
Research behind the method
As a children’s nurse and research specialist, everything I share is grounded in clinical evidence. Baby pottying is backed by research in child health, psychology, and cross-cultural parenting. You can read more about the science behind the method on my website.
Help and support
Whether you’re curious about trying baby pottying, want to learn more about when and how to start, or just need a bit of encouragement, I’m here to help.
Visit my website for free resources, expert advice, and eco-friendly potty training products, or follow me on Instagram or YouTube for real-life tips, myth-busting facts, and encouraging stories from families just like yours. And keep an eye out for more Pura blog posts and guides as we team up to make toilet learning simpler, earlier, and more sustainable.
- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
- Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection.
