Potty training – or toilet learning – is an exciting developmental step for little ones and their families.
Making the successful switch from diapers to underwear means that your lil one is growing up and becoming more independent. It also – bless – means no more diaper-changing for you. If you’re like most parents, I bet you’re excited to get going – but also a little nervous. You probably have a million questions, like:- How do you know when your child is ready to start potty training?
- How long will it take to potty train your toddler?
- And, most importantly, how do you actually help your toddler make the switch from diapers to underwear?
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What is a normal age for potty training?
Every child develops different skills – including learning to use the toilet – on their own schedule. So, the best time to get started with potty training is when your child is ready.
That being said, most children are ready for potty training somewhere between 18 months and 3 years.
In general, babies and younger toddlers (under 18 months) aren’t yet able to control their bladders or bowel movements. So, if you try pushing potty learning too early, you’ll most likely end up frustrated and unsuccessful – and your child will feel that, too! Your attempts could even backfire if your child becomes nervous and reluctant to go anywhere near the potty for a long time.
That’s why it’s best to wait until your little one is developmentally ready.
The sweet spot for potty training seems to be somewhere between 24 – 30 months. By that age, most children are eager to do more things – like using the potty – on their own. By the time they hit 2 or 2.5 years of age, most children are also physically ready to start potty training. Does that mean that a slightly older child who isn’t potty training yet isn’t “normal”? Definitely not! When it comes to potty training, many children take longer to show interest and/or developmental readiness. That’s totally fine. The best thing you can do is stay calm, avoid pressuring your child to ditch the diapers before they’re ready, and keep an eye out for signs that your child is ready to start potty training.What are the signs that your toddler is ready to potty train?
Wondering if your child is ready to potty train? Look out for these signs of potty training readiness before heading out to Target for those long-anticipated big kid undies:
- Your child can tell you when their diaper needs to be changed. They might point to their diaper and say, “Wet!” or “Poop!” Or they might ask you change them. A particularly independent toddler might even take matters into their own hands and try to change themselves!
- Your child stays dry for long periods of time. Is your child waking up dry in the morning or after naps? Are they staying dry for 2+ hours during the day? Congratulations! Your child might be ready to start potty training.
- Your child can focus and sit still for several minutes at a time. Your little one will need to sit still long enough to successfully use the toilet, multiple times a day, once they’re in underwear. If your child isn’t able to do this at the moment, they might not be quite ready yet.
- Your child is interested in the potty. They might try to follow you or an older sibling into the bathroom, pretend that a doll is “going potty,” or ask to sit on the potty themselves. These are all good signs that your toddler is ready to start potty training!
How long does it take to potty train a child?
You might be tired of hearing this at this point, but it depends.
It can take anywhere from a few days to several months to potty train a child, depending on many different factors. Your child’s age, level of interest in potty training, and developmental readiness all influence how long it will take before potty training “sticks” for your little one.
- Is your child on the younger side? It will most likely take a bit longer for them to get the hang of potty training. It’s definitely not impossible to potty train a younger toddler – it just won’t happen overnight.
- Are they showing interest in going potty – or are they more hesistant? Toddlers who are excited to make the switch from diapers to underwear are typically a breeze to potty train. In general, more resistant toddlers take much longer to get on board.
- Are they showing all the signs of readiness that we discussed above? Awesome – they’ll probably adapt to using the potty without much fuss!
What about boot camp potty training?
You may have heard about – or thought about trying – the 3-day potty training boot camp method with your toddler.
If you’re unfamiliar with boot camp potty training, the idea is basically to take a long weekend and fully potty train your child within that time.
The appeal of boot camp potty training is pretty obvious. You commit to sacrifice a single weekend in the pursuit of potty training and a few days later, boom, no more diapers!
I’ve worked with many, many parents who have used the boot camp potty training method and loved it. On my end as a teacher, I would witness lil Penny go home Friday night in diapers and come back to school Monday morning in underwear, pretty much potty trained.
So, boot camp potty training is a viable option for many children. If you’re curious, you can learn more about the process here!
That being said, there are a few guidelines you should definitely follow if you want to be successful using the boot camp method:
- Wait until your child is ready | This is the big one. You can’t force developmental readiness. If your child isn’t ready for potty training, no clever potty training tricks or techniques will be able to compensate for that. Set your child – and yourself – up for success by looking out for the key signs of readiness before you start potty training.
- Expect accidents | And definitely don’t punish your child for not making it to the toilet in time! It takes a while for children to adapt to using the potty. Accidents WILL happen. Just stay calm and be prepared to whip out the extra clothes and cleaning supplies at any given time. This too shall pass.
- Commit to the process | Cancel your weekend plans, skip that quick trip to the grocery store, and prepare to spend the entire weekend in the bathroom with your little one. The boot camp method only works if you fully commit to it. (Looking for a less demanding potty training option? We’ll get into that in a little bit!)
- If your child starts to resist, back off | More aggressive potty training methods sometimes backfire. If your child starts to resist going potty, that’s okay. This just means your child isn’t quite ready yet and/or they need a more relaxed potty training approach to be successful. Put potty training on the back burner for now and follow your child’s lead. They’ll get there! It just won’t be this weekend.
How to prepare for potty training
Once you’re confident that your child is developmentally ready and excited to start potty training, here are a few things you can do to prepare for potty training success!
Note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may receive a small commission if you purchase anything using these links. Now, on to the good stuff!
1 | Choose a potty chair or potty training seat
You can use a traditional potty chair, or you can get a potty training seat that fits on your toilet. (Or just get both – options are good!)
You might want to choose a potty chair if…
- You want to move the potty from room to room
- Your child is scared to use the “big potty”
- It’s hard for your child to make it to the bathroom in time when they need to go potty
- Your child struggles with climbing up to reach the adult-sized toilet – even with a step stool
A potty seat might be a better option if…
- You don’t want to deal with cleaning out your child’s potty every day
- You want your child to adapt to using the regular-sized toilet more quickly
- You want a more portable potty training option
Both potty chairs and potty training seats have their benefits, so there’s no wrong way to go, as long as it works for your child!
Whatever you choose, consider involving your little one in the shopping process to help get them excited about learning to go potty on their own. The more excited your child is to get started potty training, the more successful they’ll be! PS. If you’re using a potty seat, make sure to keep a step stool in the bathroom so your toddler can reach the toilet on their own. Independence is key here!Here are some of the best potty chairs for toddlers:
Here are some of the best potty training seats for toddlers:
2 | Get your child familiar with the potty
Next, help your child get comfortable with their new potty chair or potty training seat. Here are a few ideas to help your toddler get pumped up to go potty:
- Encourage your child to sit on the potty, both with and without clothes. Don’t worry about them actually using the potty yet. They’re just getting used to sitting for now!
- Show your little one how to use their potty by pretending their favorite doll or stuffed animal is going potty. Walk your child through each step – from sitting on the potty to wiping – using the doll as a guide. (Yes, this is silly, but it works!)
- Try stand-up diapering. As you get ready to start potty training, try stand-up diapering to help the process go more smoothly. Stand-up diapering is simple to learn and will help your child ease into using the potty more quickly. You can learn more about stand-up diapering here.
- Read lots of books about going potty! Potty books are a helpful way to get your child excited about using the toilet. They also help little ones understand how going potty works. The best potty training books help outline each step of going potty in a simple, age-appropriate way for toddlers. You can check out some of my favorite potty training books below ↓
3 | Go underwear shopping!
Ready to make the leap?
Once you’re confident that your child is ready to start potty training, it’s time to buy your lil one their first pair of big kid underwear. This is an exciting step for your toddler, so get them involved! Let your child choose a few pairs of underwear that they love and are excited to wear.
Your child will most likely continue having accidents for a little while as they work on mastering the potty. That means that you’ll want to get more pairs of undies than you think you’ll need! You’ll thank yourself later for being so prepared.
Here are some cute pairs of toddler underwear for boys (or girls who love dinosaurs and Batman!)
And some options for toddler girls (or lil boys who love all things pink):
4 | Get the cleaning supplies ready
I won’t sugarcoat it: Potty training can get messy. As hard as your child tries to make it to the potty in time, accidents will happen.
When your child has an accident, the best thing you can do is stay calm. Freaking out at a toddler for having an accident has never helped potty-training go any faster. Not to mention, it can cause your child anxiety and reverse any progress they were making.
Patience and encouragement are your friends here!
That being said, you’ll still want to stock up on the right cleaning supplies to help you deal with potty accidents:
- For hard floors, Super-Sorb is a good option. It works by soaking up liquid spills (like urine) and turning them into an easier-to-clean, gel-like solid form. It also absorbs smell, making it a great choice for cleaning up potty accidents.
- To clean carpet or other fabrics, enzymatic cleaners like Rocco & Roxie or Nature’s Miracle work well. These products are actually designed for pet parents, but many toddler parents also swear by them for potty accidents. They’re safe for home use and can eliminate both urine stains and odor from your floors.
- After your child has an accident, wash their dirty underwear and clothes with bleach or a nontoxic bleach alternative like The Laundress. This will help kill germs and remove stains from your little one’s clothing.
- To sanitize surfaces quickly, nothing beats disinfecting wipes. These bad boys kill 99.9% of germs and are great to keep on hand when you need to disinfect small areas after an accident.
Need to brush up on your cleaning tips?
Read more practical cleaning tips for potty accidents here!5 | Make a plan
How will you handle potty training?
Make a plan, and then make sure everyone who cares for your child – your husband, parents, nanny, whoever – is on the same page. The more consistent you are with potty training, the easier it will be for your child to successfully make the switch from diapers to underwear!
Think about the following questions to help you make a plan:
- Are you going to try bootcamp potty training, or will you take it slow and let your child take the lead?
- Will your child use pull-ups or just go straight to underwear?
- How often will you remind your child to go potty every day?
- Are you going to use a potty training watch or any other potty training tools?
Remember, it’s okay to change your plan at any time if it isn’t working.
So, don’t stress, okay? Just get a general idea of how you want to handle potty training, and then – once you’re ready – make the leap! By the way – and this is important – if your child is going through any major life changes right now, you’ll want to wait until things settle down before you jump into potty training. The calmer and more consistent your little one’s daily life is, the more easily they’ll adjust to potty training. All right, ready to learn more? Keep reading for potty training tips to help you get off to a good start!How do I potty train my toddler?
Potty training will look a little bit different for every child.
Your child might pick up on potty training much more quickly – or more slowly – than another child. They may be more eager to get going than other children, or they might be more laid-back about it.That being said, potty training doesn’t have to be some big ordeal.
Once your child is showing interest in potty training and demonstrating signs of readiness, potty training should be a fairly smooth, stress-free transition. If your child suddenly starts refusing to use the potty, don’t be afraid to back off for a bit and come back to potty training later, or relax your approach.Remember: Your attitude is contagious.
Be calm and encouraging with your child! Celebrate with them when they use the potty successfully, and react calmly and matter-of-factly when they don’t. Accidents are not the end of the world – but shaming your child for not making it to the potty in time can majorly set back their progress. So, avoid shaming your child for having accidents or engaging in power struggles to get them to use the potty. Shame and stress are not conducive to learning. However, a calm, positive attitude and a few words of encouragement can go a long way!Ready? Let’s get started!
12 Potty Training Tips For Toddlers: How to Ditch the Diapers For Good
- Dress for success. Stick to pants that are easy for your child to pull up and down on their own, like leggings. You don’t want your toddler having an accident just because they couldn’t get their overalls off in time!
- Consider ditching the pants (at home, anyway). You might find it easiest to just avoid putting your child in pants altogether when you’re at home. This can help your child be more aware of their body – and make it easier for them to make it to the potty in time.
- Schedule frequent potty breaks. Take your little one to the potty at least every 2 hours. (I personally prefer taking toddlers potty every hour when they’re just starting, but that might be overkill for you!) This will give your child plenty of opportunities to go potty successfully throughout the day and get them in the habit of taking regular potty breaks.
- Encourage your child’s efforts – not just their successes. Praise your child when they sit on the potty, whether or not they actually go potty. “You tried going potty. That’s awesome!” or “You must feel so proud of yourself. You’re sitting on the potty, like a big girl!”
- Make it fun! Set up a little area in the bathroom for your child with books or easy-to-clean toys to help keep them busy while they go potty. You can even try little tricks, like putting blue food dye in the toilet water before your toddler goes potty and encourage them to turn the water green. (Gross? Maybe. Worth trying, anyway? Why not?)
- Switch to pull-ups. Pull-ups are designed to be easier for children to pull down and up by themselves, like underwear. Because of this, pull-ups can help “bridge” your child’s transition from diapers to underwear more smoothly.
- Or go straight to underwear! This is probably the fastest way to help your toddler ditch the diapers – as long as you don’t mind more frequent accidents, and you’re sure that your child is ready to start potty training. Why does this work? Well, it’s uncomfortable for children to pee or poop in their underwear. This can be a powerful motivator for little ones to use the potty instead. It’s worth trying if you can handle the mess!
- Teach boys to sit to pee. While you’re potty training, encourage your little boy to sit on the toilet, instead of standing up to go. Most toddler boys aren’t ready to learn how to aim yet, so this tip (along with a splash guard) will save you a lot of mess! You can also have your little one sit backwards on the potty, just in case the splash guard isn’t doing the trick.
- Teach girls to wipe from front to back. Potty training is the perfect opportunity to introduce healthy bathroom hygiene habits to your little girl. After she goes potty, show her how to wipe from front to back to keep herself clean and prevent UTIs.
- Avoid power struggles. I can’t say this enough: Power struggles and potty training don’t mix. If your toddler is super-resistant to going potty, they’re either not ready yet, or they feel like you’re pushing them too hard. Stay calm, encourage your child’s efforts, and let them take the lead. You can’t force them to go potty, after all – all you can do is set them up for success.
- Skip the sticker charts. Your child doesn’t need stickers, candy, or a special toy to encourage them to go potty. Children naturally want to assert their independence as they grow older by taking on new self-care tasks, like using the potty. Children also prefer the feeling of a clean diaper (or underwear) to being dirty. So, when it comes to “rewarding” your child for going potty, stick to verbal encouragement. It’s more than enough!
- Empower your toddler. Potty training is a huge step in your child’s journey toward independence. So, give your toddler plenty of opportunities to do things for themselves to help them gain confidence and autonomy. This will make a huge positive difference for your little one when it comes to potty training – and other future milestones!
What about nighttime potty training?
Keep using pull-ups for naps and bedtime for now! Even if your little one is doing awesome staying dry throughout the day, nighttime potty training is a whole other beast. By age 5 or 6, most children can stay dry overnight. Until then, be patient and focus on helping your little one stay dry during the day. Your child will get there when it’s time!Here are a few more potty training product recommendations!
Good luck!
I know potty training can seem overwhelming – especially if you’ve never tackled it before. But hopefully, after reading this article, you’re feeling confident enough to get started! Know that you have all the information you need to successfully potty train your toddler, and you (and your little one) are both capable of making it through this transition. As long as you’re patient, follow your child’s lead, and apply what you’ve learned, you’ll be done with diapers before you know it.♥ Meg
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