Toilet Training – Life Balance Hub: about family, life and health

When Are Kids Ready to Toilet Train?

Many parents are uncertain about when to begin toilet training or “potty training.” Since children develop at different rates, it’s essential to look for signs of readiness rather than relying on age. Indicators that your child might be ready include pausing during an activity or grabbing their diaper.

Instead of focusing on age, observe for signs that your child is prepared to start using the potty. These signs include the ability to:

Follow simple instructions
Understand and use words related to using the potty
Associate the urge to pee or poop with using the potty
Keep a diaper dry for two hours or more
Get to the potty, sit on it long enough, and then get off
Pull down diapers, disposable training pants, or underpants
Show interest in using the potty or wearing underpants

Most children start showing these signs between 18 and 24 months old, though some may not be ready until later. Boys often begin later and take longer to learn to use the potty than girls.

There are certain times when it might be best to delay toilet training, such as:

When traveling
Around the birth of a sibling
Transitioning from a crib to a bed
Moving to a new house
When your child is sick (especially if diarrhea is involved)

How Long Does Toilet Training Take?

Teaching a toddler to use the potty is not an overnight task. Typically, it takes between 3 and 6 months, though some children may take more or less time. Starting too early often prolongs the process, and it can take months to even years for children to master staying dry at night.

Potty Types

There are two basic potty options:

Standalone, toddler-size potty chair: This comes with a bowl that can be emptied into the toilet.
Toddler-size seat for the toilet: This can be placed on top of a regular toilet seat, making your child feel more secure and less afraid of falling in. If you choose this option, get a stepping stool so your child can reach the seat comfortably and feel supported while having a bowel movement.

For boys, it’s usually best to first learn to use the toilet sitting down before learning to pee standing up. For boys who feel awkward or scared about standing on a stool to pee in the toilet, a potty chair may be a better option.

Consider getting a training potty or seat for every bathroom in your house. You may also want to keep a potty in the trunk of your car for emergencies. When traveling long distances, take a potty seat with you and stop every 1 to 2 hours to avoid delays in finding a restroom.

About Training Pants

Disposable training pants serve as a helpful transition between diapers and underwear. Since kids’ nighttime bladder and bowel control often lags behind their daytime control, some parents use training pants at night. Others prefer using them when the child is out and about. Once the training pants remain dry for a few days, children can switch to wearing underwear.

However, some believe that disposable training pants might make kids think it’s acceptable to use them like diapers, potentially slowing the toilet-training process.

Consult your doctor to determine if your child would benefit from using disposable training pants as a transitional step.

Tips for Toilet Training

Even before your child is ready to use the potty, you can prepare them by teaching about the process:

Use words to describe using the toilet (“pee,” “poop,” and “potty”).
Ask your child to tell you when their diaper is wet or soiled.
Identify behaviors (e.g., “Are you going poop?”) so your child learns to recognize the urge to pee and poop.
Get a potty chair and let your child practice sitting on it. Initially, they can sit on it while wearing clothes or a diaper. When ready, they can try sitting bare-bottomed.

Once you decide your child is ready to start potty training, these tips may help:

Set aside dedicated time for the potty-training process.
Never force your child to sit on the toilet against their will.
Model the behavior: Show your child how you sit on the toilet and explain what you are doing, as children learn by watching. You can also have your child sit on the potty seat and watch while you (or a sibling) use the toilet.
Establish a routine: For example, start by having your child sit on the potty after waking with a dry diaper or 45 minutes to an hour after drinking lots of liquids. Only put your child on the potty for a few minutes a couple of times a day, and let them get up if they want to.
Take advantage of natural reflexes: Have your child sit on the potty within 15 to 30 minutes after meals, utilizing the body’s gastro-colic reflex. Many kids have a specific time of day they tend to have a bowel movement.
Watch for clues: Ask your child to sit on the potty if you notice signs of needing to go, such as crossing legs, grunting, or squatting.
Teach where poop goes: Empty a bowel movement from your child’s diaper into the toilet, explaining that poop goes in the potty.
Avoid difficult clothing: Use clothes that are easy to take off, avoiding overalls and snap-crotch shirts. Potty-training children need to be able to undress themselves.
Offer small rewards: Give stickers or reading time as rewards whenever your child uses the potty. Keep a chart to track successes. Once your child starts mastering the use of the toilet, let them pick out new big-kid underwear.
Ensure consistency: Make sure all caregivers, including babysitters, grandparents, and childcare workers, follow the same routine and use the same names for body parts and bathroom acts. Inform them about your toilet training methods so your child won’t be confused.
Praise all attempts: Encourage every attempt to use the toilet, even if nothing happens. Accidents are part of the process. Avoid punishment or showing disappointment when your child has accidents. Instead, reassure them that accidents happen and offer support, reinforcing that they are making progress towards using the potty like a big kid.

Common Toilet Training Problems

Many children who have been using the potty may encounter difficulties during times of stress. For instance, a 2- or 3-year-old who is adjusting to a new sibling might start having accidents.

However, if your child was previously potty-trained and is now regularly experiencing problems, it’s important to consult your doctor.

Additionally, seek your doctor’s advice if: