When your child may need toileting help

Toilet learning can be tricky and you’re not alone. If things aren’t going smoothly or you’re worried, it’s okay to ask for help.

Call the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66.

You can speak to a nurse continence specialist for free and confidential advice, support and referrals to local services.

When to talk to a doctor

Get medical advice if you notice:

• your child wees much more or less than usual
• pain or discomfort during a wee
• strong-smelling or dark-coloured wee
• poos are dry, cracked, large in size and difficult to pass
• poos are very loose or watery
• pain or discomfort during a poo
• tummy aches
• red or sore skin around your child’s bottom.

Other professionals who can help

If your child has trouble eating or drinking, or you’re unsure about their diet or fluid intake:

• Talk to a doctor, paediatric dietitian or feeding specialist (a speech pathologist with a feeding specialty)
  If your child has developmental challenges that make toilet learning harder:
• Get support from a developmental therapist, such as:
  • occupational therapist
  • physiotherapist
  • developmental educator
  • psychologist
  • nurse continence specialist.

To find a specialist:

• contact our National Continence Helpline
• use Find a service provider to look for someone near you.

These allied health professionals can help with:

• movement and posture
• communication
• sensory processing
• attention skills and emotional regulation.

They’ll help you find teaching strategies that suit your child’s needs.