When to Start Potty Training

When to start potty training

“Potty training” is a transition phase in both your motherhood and your child’s development that requires huge effort and patience. Saying bye-bye to diapers could not be as easy as you think but when the timing is proper, you and your child can work well on this stage together.

Your child could be ready for toilet training at the age of 2 but the right time actually depends. Some mothers thought it would be better if you start earlier but for some, it is quite risky to start on a very early age unless you have considered few important things before jumping into doing it.

Knowing when the majority of mothers do potty training can be frustrating for one. So, do not entirely rely on the majority. Every child’s different; perhaps, having an idea of when is the most common time may affect your timing decision too.

Why is timing important?

Timing plays a big role in a successful potty training. It is important that your child is physically and mentally ready. Of course, you wouldn’t want to rush it and pressure your child to do it—this is something you should never do! Certainly, you wouldn’t also want to train your child late. Remember, when the time is just okay, you will save time, effort and patience.

What are the things that could be considered to know if your child is ready?

Prior starting potty training, here are some things you should check first:

  • The ability of the child to tell if he needs to go
  • The child’s level of interest in potty chair or toilet or in wearing underwear
  • The child’s ability to understand and follow instructions
  • If the child complains when his diaper is wet or dirty
  • If he or she can pull down and pull up his or her underwear

What are some helpful ways to encourage your child to be ready for potty training?

Be keen on observing proper timing or else you could train him late and that doesn’t sound good. Waiting passively could lead to late training so it is safe not to just rely on the signs. Encouraging your child to be ready for potty training should also be prioritized.

Motivating your child in a positive attitude needs to be practiced. For instance, if he has begun telling you about his wet or dirty diaper, you must commend him for telling you and advise him to tell you in advance next time.

On the other hand, noticing your child’s low level of interest in potty training means he doesn’t seemly understand nor care of what it is all about. You may help him by either or both of these simple strategies:

  1. Encourage a fun activity using a potty chair—have him show his creativity through decorating the potty chair; let him sit on it like it is the ordinary seat he uses while watching TV.
  2. Be a model and ask everyone in the household to do the same. When your child observes what the older people or other children do, he will soon be interested in potty training. Remember to use observational remarks. start potty training

start potty training


Early and Late training

  • Early training

So the question is, when is considered too early? Like what has been said above, when your child seems to not show any sign, he could be physically and mentally unready. But, the age of your child doesn’t really measure whether it is too early or not. Some are advanced when it comes to readiness. Perhaps, in general, children aged 12-18 months could require more time to train. Diaper habit for young toddlers is not easy to break for sure.

Some concluded that earlier potty training could cause your child behavioral problems but there is no enough evidence on this. In fact there are studies stating that early potty training has benefits. These include decreased rates of diaper rash, urinary tract infections, and stool toileting refusal.

  • Late Training

While early training could be considered proper timing for others due to its benefits, late training has been quoted to promote risks for your child. In addition, your child would wear diapers longer and they may just ignore their body signals.

“A late starting age might also put kids at an increased risk for developing problems with incontinence and infections,” Barone et al 2009; Bakker 2002, Bakker et al 2002

So, is it time?

Whether you want to start earlier or later, it is your prerogative as a parent to settle on. Based on some research, your choice on timing wouldn’t lead to a long lasting behavioral problem on your child. Yet avoidance of dilemma should matter. Be considerate on certain things that need your attention before proceeding though.

After checking your list of considerations, you can now decide whether the time is okay or not. If you are on the green signal, it means you may already set standards and act upon them.

Here are a few TIPS you could follow when starting potty training:

  1. As mentioned, positive motivation is a key to better potty training experience. This has to be on top of your list.
  2. Always make the equipment available. The potty chair should always be placed in a space where you will instruct your child to go to whenever he needs to go
  3. Set potty breaks to regulate his potty training several times per day.
  4. Give incentives after every successful potty session. Children are very appreciative so this could be a perfect platform to boost his excitement the next time he has to do it.
  5. When you think you’re on the right time, it is certain that you trade the diapers for underwear and training pants.