Potty training is a significant milestone in a child’s and parent’s life. It can feel extremely daunting at first and often parents will put it off, waiting for the stars to align before making the commitment to abandoning diapers. However, with the right approach, patience (sometimes mountains of patience), and a little bit of preparation, the process can be smooth and successful.
When to start potty training
There is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to the age you should start potty training, every child is different. Some children are ready as early as 18 months, while others may not be fully ready until after their third birthday. The most important factor is your child’s readiness, physically and emotionally.
Signs your toddler might be ready to start potty training:
- They are aware of bodily functions – your child may be showing signs that they need to go, such as pausing during an activity, going to a private area, or tugging at their diaper.
- They are staying dry for longer periods – toddlers that are dry for at least 2 hours and wake up dry after naps may have enough bladder control to start potty training.
- They are interested in the bathroom or potty – If your child is interested in the toilet/potty or they want to imitate bathroom behaviors such as sitting on the potty, wiping their bum etc, this can be a good indicator that they are ready to learn.
- Your child must be able to follow simple instructions such as ‘sit on the potty’.
- Discomfort when their diaper is dirty – if your toddler wants changed as soon as they’ve done a poo, this can signal readiness to move to a potty.
- Basic motor skills – your child should be able to pull down their pants and sit on a potty with minimal help.
It is important to remember that pushing a child to potty train before they’re ready can lead to frustration and setbacks. The best results come when both parent and child are ready to take on this task together.
Equipment for potty training
Potty and seat
It is a good idea to get both a potty and a potty seat that will attach to your toilet. Some children prefer one over another, so having both is a good option. Even if your child prefers the potty, they will eventually transition to using the toilet and may still need the potty seat to begin with.
Step Stool
A small step stool is helpful for your toddler to climb up onto the toilet seat if they are using the toilet. It is also handy for using the sink when they are washing their hands after using the bathroom.
Training pants or pull-ups
Pull ups are an intermediate step between diapers and underwear, they have the absorbance of a diaper but pull up and down like underwear (they also rip easily at the sides if you need to change a dirty bum). Some parents skip this stage and go straight to underwear; however, they are handy to have on car journeys if you want to avoid cleaning car seats regularly.
Child friendly underwear
Getting underwear that have images on them that will appeal to your child can help them become enthusiastic about potty training. You can get underwear with favorite children’s programme characters or just themes that your child might enjoy like dinosaurs or unicorns.
Potty training books and visuals
We are very pro book on this website, so if there is a book that will help, we will read it. Books about potty training featuring characters your child likes can help them get excited about the process.
Visual aids such as sticker charts can also be used to track and celebrate success if your child is a little older.
Cleaning supplies and spare clothes
Accidents will happen so having plentiful cleaning supplies and a change of clothes packed and ready to go at all times will make it easier to deal with the inevitable mess.
potty training method
There are a few different approaches to potty training, this is the method that worked for us.
Step 1: Introduce the potty before training
Buy a potty a few months before you start potty training. Set it up in the bathroom so your toddler gets used to it. They may play with it as if it were a toy, or they may sit on it as if they know what it is for. The idea is that they become comfortable with it before you start potty training.
Step 2: Go commando
If you have the weather for it, when you start potty training, cancel all plans and stay home. Let your child run about with no bottoms on, completely naked from the bum down. This should help make them aware of when they ‘go’ or need to ‘go’. If you have a secluded garden and good weather, you can do this step outside to avoid having to clean accidents off your floor. You should only need to do this step for 1 or 2 days before your child is aware of ‘wees’ and ‘poos’ and you can move onto underwear or pull ups.
Step 2: Take them to the toilet regularly
Encourage your toddler to sit on the potty at regular intervals, at least every 2 hours. Toddlers age 2-3 should be able to hold their bladder for about 2 hours. You can take them to the toilet more often than this for example if you are leaving the house, take them to the toilet, before their nap or bedtime, after a meal etc. They don’t have to ‘go’ every time they sit on the potty but this builds the habit and helps them learn the process.
Step 3: Make it fun and rewarding
Be positive about your child’s progress, let them help flush any success they have down the toilet, wave bye bye to the poo as it flushes away, sing a song about poo when they are trying to do a poo (one of our favorites is ‘the poos in the toilet go plop plop plop’ sung to the tune of the wheels on the bus). Make potty training a fun experience rather than a chore.
Step 4: Go underwear only
Once your toddler begins using the potty regularly, you can switch to underwear only during the day (you may still need to use pull ups at nap time, outings and nighttime). Encourage your child to let you know when they need to use the potty, this helps them recognize their body’s signals and act on them independently. However if your toddler is engrossed in an activity such as playing outside, you may need to interrupt them to take them to the toilet as this is a common time for accidents to occur.
Step 5: Handle accidents calmly
Accidents are inevitable during potty training, so it is essential to stay calm and avoid scolding. Gently remind your child that accidents happen and encourage them to use the potty next time.
Step 6: Nighttime Potty Training
Nighttime potty training takes longer to master. A general rule of thumb is once your child is successfully dry during the day, ie. is fully potty training during the day, then they should be dry at night about a year after. Again, every child is different, some may be dry at night sooner, some may take longer.
tips for successful potty training
- Be patient: Potty training takes time, every child progresses at their own pace
- Stay positive: Do not punish them when they have accidents. Positive reinforcement will encourage your child to keep trying.
- Consistency is crucial: Maintain routine and stick to it. This helps your child understand what is expected and makes the process feel more predictable.
- Don’t pressure your child: If your child isn’t showing readiness, it’s okay to take a break and try again at a later date. Pressuring your child can create anxiety and slow down progress.
- Regressions can happen: For whatever reason, your child can go through a regression where they will start having accidents when they have previously been successfully using the toilet. Go back to basics, take them to the toilet regularly, stay calm and encourage them to use the toilet.
- Be open about using the toilet: let your child see you or your partner use the toilet from a young age, they will eventually want to mimic you and want to sit on the toilet or potty themselves.
