Company cans ‘drivel’ toileting advice

Baby brand Huggies has removed gender-specific toilet training advice from its website, admitting it was ‘‘not appropriate’’.

The move followed an online roasting from a Kiwi mum who labelled the advice ‘‘1950s drivel’’.

Until yesterday, Huggies’ New Zealand website detailed separate advice encouraging ‘‘superman undies’’ for boys and honing ‘‘caregiving instincts’’ in girls.

‘‘Emphasising that your daughter is responsible for looking after her potty can be great motivation during training,’’ the girls’ page stated. ‘‘From a very young age, a girl’s caregiving instinct kicks in.’’

Among the tips for girls was one that said: ‘‘Stories about princesses or heroines that involve a potty will be extra helpful.’’

Parents could invest in a pair of superhero undies for boys, because ‘‘he might be more inclined to keep his hero clean’’.

Wellington’s Nicky Lynch wrote a tongue-in-cheek public post on Huggies’ Facebook page stating that in teaching her son to be caring, and not dressing her daughter in princess gowns, she must be doing something wrong.

‘‘I’m sorry to say I tried to explain her cleaning responsibilities to my little girl and she shouted something about poo poos, wee wees and farts and ran off butt-naked to make mud pies. I’m

"We agree that this [toilet training] content ... is not appropriate." Jason Biggs for Huggies

concerned that she may be confused about her gender identity and her future as a toilet cleaner could be at risk,’’ Lynch wrote.

‘‘How do I get her back on the straight and narrow?’’

She singled out advice from the website which stated ‘‘boys are traditionally more competitive than girls’’ and ‘‘little girls, more so than boys, love to know when they’ve been helpful’’. She labelled the advice as being ‘‘1950s drivel’’.

Huggies apologised for any offence caused and agreed the content needed to be updated.

‘‘We agree that this content on our website is not appropriate,’’ said Huggies’ marketing manager Jason Biggs.

‘‘This section of our website was evidently missed in our content reviews that ensure the guidance we provide to parents and caregivers reflects today’s society and lifestyles.

‘‘We have now removed the content and are currently in the process of reviewing the entire website.’’

Lynch’s post prompted a flurry of sarcastic comments from other parents.