In recent years some of the baby category market has slipped away from pharmacies as the supermarkets offer cut-price promotions and own brand offerings. However, as pressure grows on NHS services, many parents are having less regular interaction with their health visitor with regards to key practical childhood issues and this is providing pharmacy with an ideal opportunity to give customers ongoing support with areas such as potty training or bedwetting.

Potty training is starting later and lasting longer for a variety of reasons with some children still in nappies when they start school. A National Foundation for Educational Research report in 2014 found that around 5% of children aged between five and seven had worn a nappy to school. Very often parents already have some information on potty training and are looking for advice to confirm what they already know and give them the confidence to start the process.

By the end of this module you will be able to:

• Make parents aware of the signs of readiness for potty training in a child.
• Advise and support parents on potty training techniques.
• Explain possible causes of bedwetting in children.
• Talk parents through management strategies to deal with bedwetting.
• Apply knowledge of category management to ensure the fixture meets parents' needs and requirements.

Potty training

Potty training is a process that all parents and toddlers have to address and it is important to let your customers know both you and the wider pharmacy team are available to offer both reassurance and advice. If you can support parents from an early stage with a suitable product range and helpful advice to match, you are more likely to acquire a long lasting, loyal customer.