When Is the Right Time to Start Potty Training? Signs Your Child Is Ready

Potty training is one of those milestones that feels like a big deal… because it is. For your child, it’s a step towards independence. For you, it’s a sign that nappy runs will soon be over.

It’s perfectly normal to be uncertain if your child is ready for it, however. Most first-time parents have no idea when to start potty training, nor even what signs of potty training readiness to look out for.

Read on and we can help you figure that out. You’ll also learn why there’s no perfect universal age to begin this milestone.

When Should You Start Potty Training?

You can usually start potty training between 18 months and 3 years old. Children can vary widely, of course. This just happens to be when most start showing signs of readiness.

Most children can’t control their bowels or bladders before 18 months. Johns Hopkins even pegs the average of toilet training at 27 months.

Potty training readiness depends on the following factors: 

• Physical development

• Communication skills

• Emotional readiness

• Interest in learning

Starting too early (before your child has the physical or cognitive ability for it) isn’t advised. It may only make the experience more stressful for everyone involved.

Remember that potty training isn’t a competition. Follow your child’s cues instead of comparing them to other children.

Signs of Potty Training Readiness

Instead of fixating on when to start potty training based on age, look for a cluster of readiness signals across three areas instead.

Physical Signs

• Able to walk steadily and sit on a potty or toilet safely

• Can pull their own pants up and down, perhaps with only a little help

• Have long stretches (2 or more hours) of dry nappies  

• Shows awareness before or after needing to pee or poop

Communication Signs

• Able to express their need to go to the loo 

• Can understand simple instructions

• Can tell parents when they have a wet or dirty diaper

Behavioural Signs

• Shows curiosity about the toilet or wants to imitate adults on the toilet

• Dislikes wearing a dirty diaper or shows interest in wearing underwear

• Willing to sit on a potty or toilet

How to Know If Your Child Is Truly Ready

Note that one of the signs above by itself isn’t enough. You need a combination of physical, communication, and behavioural readiness before you begin.

It’s important to keep in mind that arriving at that point can take time. It’s a gradual process that allows you to introduce the concept to your child before training even begins. That can actually ease the process of training itself.

How to Prepare Your Child Before Starting Potty Training

A little prep can go a long way once you sense your child getting close to readiness. Here are some tips that you can try: 

• Introduce the concept casually. Let your child observe your own toilet routine. Describe what you’re doing in simple and positive terms. You can even try reading potty training picture books together.

• Get the right equipment. A good potty chair or toilet seat adaptor is indispensable. The same goes for a step stool and easy-to-remove clothing with elastic-waistbands.

• Create a supportive environment. Your child may very well have a few potty accidents before they learn. And you know what? That’s perfectly normal and perfectly fine. Be supportive and avoid reacting to accidents with anger or punishment. Otherwise, your child may learn to associate the toilet with stress or shame.

What If My Child Is Not Ready Yet?

If your child isn’t ready yet for toilet training, that’s fine. Every child develops differently.

The statistics should help you get an idea of how wide the range can be. About 22% of children are out of nappies by two and a half. On the other hand, 88% are out by three and a half.

There’s plenty of room in there for your child to find the right age or time for readiness. Rest assured that it’s generally not a reason for alarm even if your child ends up on the later end of this range.

If you want to be sure you don’t end up pressuring your child into toilet training, here are some common signs that you should wait:

• Your child shows strong resistance or fear of the toilet.

• Your child has difficulty communicating their bathroom needs.

• You have major life changes for your family, e.g. starting childcare or moving house.

Instead of potty training, consider building familiarity with the concept for now. You can just try again at a later stage.

Take It at Your Child’s Pace

Ultimately, potty training is a gradual learning process, not a race. Start it only when your little one shows genuine readiness and not when social pressure kicks in.

By doing this, you and your child will likely experience a much smoother transition. You can help your child approach this milestone with confidence by focusing on their needs and being as supportive as possible.

If you want more practical tips on navigating your child’s early years and beyond, head over to our Tips for Mummies section, by the way. We’ve got plenty of articles full of other mums’ wisdom that may help you along this journey.