Potty Training FAQ

Yes. 2 years is the starting age — there’s no upper limit. The core of this method is attention and rewards, and children of all ages respond to both. An older child who has resisted before often does well with a fresh, structured start because the method removes the ambiguity that usually causes resistance. They always know what to expect, and they always know what success looks like.

No — and if anything, it’s better if they haven’t. Unstructured potty practice before starting can create mixed signals. The programme introduces the potty clearly on day one as part of a complete method. If your child has already had some exposure to a potty, that’s fine — it just means they won’t be seeing it for the first time.

Waiting for readiness signals makes sense — forcing a child who genuinely isn’t ready doesn’t work. But waiting indefinitely once those signals are there isn’t waiting for readiness; it’s just postponing.

Think of it like learning to ride a bike. You don’t force a child who can’t balance yet — but once they can, the best thing you can do is be there with them, encouraging every wobble, rather than waiting for them to figure it out alone. This programme is about guiding and supporting, not forcing. The method is built around enthusiasm, fun, and positive reinforcement — not pressure.

Yes — and it’s worth planning for. The first three days in particular require you to be at home, present, and able to respond quickly. Days four and five you can start taking short trips out. By the end of the week, your child should be managing well enough for normal daily life to resume.

If you can’t clear a full week right now, don’t start yet. A half-committed attempt is more likely to confuse your child than help them. Plan the week properly — school holidays, a staycation, a period between projects — and then commit fully. The investment is one week. The return is years without nappies.

Three-day programmes exist, and some children do get there in three days. But a seven-day programme gives you more practice with the things that matter beyond the basics: holding for longer, short trips away from home, and consolidating the habit so that it sticks.

The extra days are what reduce regression. A child who’s had seven days of consistent practice is in a much stronger position than one who’s had three — and the difference in effort for you is minimal compared to the difference in the result.

Carry on. A difficult day — usually day 3 — is a normal part of the process, not a sign that something is wrong. The progress from days 1 and 2 can seem to plateau or even reverse. This is the point where most parents put the nappies back on. Don’t.

The instruction card for that day will tell you exactly what to adjust. Stay consistent, keep the atmosphere positive, and you’ll almost always see improvement again by day 4. The children who get through the hard day consistently come out the other side dry.

We can’t guarantee results — because the outcome depends on how consistently the programme is followed, and on your child’s individual readiness. What we can tell you is that across 50,000+ families, the method works when the signals are right and the week is followed through properly.

If you’re unsure whether your child is ready, use the free readiness test before ordering. And if you have a specific situation — a child with additional needs, a previous failed attempt, twins — use the contact form below. We’re happy to advise before you buy.

The risk is low — much lower than with unstructured potty practice. Once a child has properly learned the sensation of needing to go and what to do about it, that knowledge doesn’t disappear. Occasional accidents in the weeks after training are normal and not regression.

True regression — a child who was dry going back to regular accidents — is usually triggered by a significant change (new sibling, house move, starting nursery). If that happens, a short reset using the same method and reward system usually resolves it quickly.

Poo refusal is one of the most common potty training challenges — and one of the most stressful. Children often hold on, ask for a nappy, or hide behind the sofa. This is almost never defiance; it’s anxiety. The sensation of pooing somewhere new feels unfamiliar and, to some children, frightening.

A few things that help: don’t make it a big deal when they ask for a nappy for a poo (refusing this request usually makes the anxiety worse); watch for their natural signals and gently suggest the potty; praise any attempt — even sitting down without doing anything. Read more in our dedicated guide on poo refusal.

Don’t force them to sit — it creates a negative association that makes everything harder. Instead, make sitting on the potty part of the routine before it becomes the goal: read a book together while they sit, blow bubbles, let them pick a sticker to look at. The potty becomes a calm, familiar place before it needs to be a functional one.

If refusal is consistent, check whether it might be a readiness issue — are the signals actually there? And check the compliment cards in the box; the right language at the right moment makes more difference than most parents expect.

Yes. The sticker system works differently to a traditional present — it’s about earning something incrementally, which is more motivating than a one-off reward for many children. But if your child genuinely doesn’t engage with stickers, there are alternatives that work just as well.

Try phoning grandparents to share the news of a success. Let them stay up slightly later or have a favourite TV programme as a reward. The principle is the same: immediate, enthusiastic recognition of success. Read our full guide: my child doesn’t respond to presents.

The method works for highly sensitive children, but the pacing and atmosphere matter more. Sensitive children do better with very gradual introduction to the potty before training begins, a highly predictable routine during the week, and an emphasis on encouragement over any kind of pressure.

The compliment cards in the box are particularly useful here — the right words, delivered calmly, make a significant difference. Read our dedicated guide: potty training a highly sensitive child.

More fluids means more practice — so this matters. If your child is reluctant: try a new cup they get to choose themselves, offer their absolute favourite drink (ignore the sugar rules for this one week), or make ice lollies. Every child loves a lolly, and it counts as fluid. A fun straw or a cup with a character on it can also make a surprising difference.

No. One box is enough — the reward charts and stickers can be ordered separately if you need more. Each child gets their own chart, but the method, instruction cards, and diploma work for both. See the replacement sticker cards and reward charts in the shop.

Wait until daytime dryness is well established — typically two to four weeks after completing the programme. Then check whether your child’s nappy is dry or only slightly damp in the mornings for several days in a row. If it is, their body is ready. Move to “sleep pants” (pull-ups) and see how they go. Most children get there without any specific training once the daytime habits are solid.

Yes. The box itself is fully reusable. You’ll need replacement reward charts and stickers for the second child — these are available separately in the shop so you don’t need to buy the whole box again. This also works for twins: one box, two sets of charts and stickers.

Order replacement sticker cards and reward charts →

The physical format matters. Having the instruction card for today on the kitchen counter, the reward chart on the wall where your child can see it filling up, the stickers in a tin they can open themselves — these things make the method tangible for a toddler in a way that a screen doesn’t. The box also keeps everything in one place so nothing gets lost mid-week.

Yes. We’re parents who potty trained our own children, read extensively on the subject, and built a method based on what actually worked — focused on making it as practical and positive as possible for both parent and child.

Go to our Facebook group and click “Join group”. You’ll need your order number and the name on the order to be accepted. Don’t have a Facebook account? You can create a temporary one — it takes two minutes and you can delete it afterwards if you prefer.

You can return your box within 14 days, provided it is complete, undamaged, and unused. Please pack it carefully to avoid damage in transit. See our returns page for the full details.

Two that we like: The Perfect Potty Zoo — fun and engaging for most toddlers. And if your child tends to get upset after accidents, Meekoo and the Big Red Potty is excellent — it explains clearly that accidents happen and that they’re not a big deal.