Toilet-training: Support for Parents

Baroness Freeman of Steventon Excerpts

Monday 5th January 2026 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Baroness Freeman of Steventon]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that parents are given enough support to toilet train their children between 18 and 30 months.

[Baroness in Waiting/Government Whip (Baroness Blake of Leeds) (Lab)]

My Lords, we are committed to giving every child the best start in life. As part of this, we are investing in Best Start family hubs across the country. These hubs will offer wider parenting and home-learning environment support, and are well placed to support parents needing advice on toilet-training. We welcome the recent potty-training guide produced by partners, and signpost to it on our website pages on the best start in life and help for early years providers.

[Baroness Freeman of Steventon (CB)]

I thank the Minister for that Answer. I am delighted to talk about this important subject first thing in the new year. It is not just for the health of children that it is best to potty-train early; we send about 3.6 billion single-use nappies to landfill or incineration every year in England alone. Earlier potty-training therefore saves parents and councils money, and saves environmental costs, yet over half of all parents are unsure of the right time to toilet-train. Now that the official advice is clear, would the Minister consider making a clear statement of that advice mandatory on nappy products sold in the UK?

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

I wondered where the first Question would lead. Given the noble Baroness’s background, it should not come as a surprise that the environment is involved. This is an important issue, for the children involved and for parents, and the cost of nappies is important. But I am not in a position to give the commitment that she is asking for at this time.