Potty training

When to start potty training?

When to start potty training

Potty training…. One will start when their child is 2.5 years old and another will say: “I’ll wait until they are ready!” But what if that doesn’t happen? Are you going to wait until the very last minute just before they go to primary school?

If we’re talking about potty training most parents feel insecure and/or called upon. So many people have an opinion about it. Parents, Parents in law, friends, teachers. “Is your child still wearing a nappy?” Or: “Are you starting already?” You are never doing it the right way. 😉

Signals vs. age

We recommend to look at signs. Because from these signs you can tell if it’s useful to start potty training.

The signals are:

  • Can they sit unsupported?
  • Can they walk?
  • Do they let you know that their nappy is full?
  • Can he/she say no?
  • Does he or she understand (simple) tasks and carry them out?
  • Can your toddler imitate something or someone?
  • Can he/she pick up an item?
  • Is your child interested in the potty or toilet?

If you can tick 3-4 signals, they are ready to start potty training! We have also developed an online toilet training test so you can quickly find out whether your child is ready to learn to potty train. You can find the potty training test here.

Are you ready? Can you take time off to start?

Teaching your child to get potty trained is often not something you look forward to and is most of the time not something that happens overnight. But, when you do this together – in a week time- you will rock this!

The feedback we receive from parents is often that they wished they would have started sooner. The results are amazing and it saves some penny’s too ( around GBP 350 per half year!) and we haven’t even mention how thankful the environment will be when you stop using nappies.

‘In the end it’s amazing to see the confidence boost your child gets from starting this adventure with you!’

So….. What are you waiting for? 😉

We’d love to help and guide you. Click here to read more about the Potty Training Box.

 

When to start potty training

17 thoughts on “When to start potty training?

  1. Sarahjane says:

    hi my 3 year old son is clean throught the day and knows when he needs the toilet he has been clean since he was 2 the trouble we are having his getting him clean through the night he wears pull ups thought the night and are very wet he has woke up twice to go to the toilet but still pull ups are wet he has milk a hour before bed but drinks loads though the day what can I do to get him dry through the night

    1. Anouk . says:

      Hi, it’s really nice that your son has been potty trained during the day since he was 2 years old. Nighttime dryness can take longer, sometimes even until the age of 6 or 7. You can encourage it by having him use the toilet more often before going to sleep. You might also consider giving him slightly less to drink and ensuring he empties his bladder before bedtime. Using a bedwetting alarm could be an option, or you could have him use the toilet again when you go to bed by yourself. Hopefully, these tips will be helpful, but if not, feel free to reach out to us anytime!

  2. K. says:

    My 2.5 yr old son will go on the potty and toilet for wees, but has regressed on poos and will now only go in pants. He started to go on the potty but now He tells us he needs a poo and gets his pull ups so he can go otherwise will hold it. How do I get him back to going on the potty? Thanks

    1. Anouk . says:

      Hi, you can take smaller steps with poo. If your son tells you that he needs to poo you can put him a nappy on. Let him poo while he sits on the toilet with a nappy on. If that goes well you can ask if he is ready for the next step. The next step you can cut a hole in the nappy so that the poo falls into the toilet. But he still feels the comfort of the nappy. If this step goes well you can ask if he is ready for the last step and that’s a poo on the toilet without a nappy on. Hopefully this will help for your son. Good luck!

    2. MB says:

      We are facing the same with our 4y boy. He is totally independent on everything, except popping in the toilet.
      I have tried every way, step by step.
      I am so confused while we should not pressure them but on the other hand we should insist.
      He is screaming and crying when it comes on popping in the toilet.
      Feel so confused.

      1. Dustin v. says:

        Many children are indeed afraid of pooping on the toilet. Of course it is also a strange feeling and can sometimes feel painful. Make sure your child drinks enough so that it doesn’t hurt as it softens. You can try using a bubble blower on the toilet. With this he relaxes through breathing, moreover it gives pleasure. Both help to reduce anxiety. If he’s really scared, you can gradually phase out the diaper. So let him poop on the toilet with diaper on. Step 2 is cut a hole in the diaper so that the poop falls into the toilet. Step 3 is without diaper. Let him indicate when he is ready for the next step. This way you give him control and he can decide for himself. Also, sit next to him and hold his hand so you can calm and reassure him.

  3. Karon says:

    My 3 and half daughter just started potty training she doing really good at nursery she sits on the toilet but will not sit on toilet at home I brought her a toilet seat go on toilet at home she does not like it also gone out brought her another toilet seat with ladder she will not sit on that she likes her potty so when I take her out has put nappies on has she Will not use toilet while we out but she’s back home she takes her nappies off

    1. Dustin v. says:

      The toilet can be exciting/scary because she might feel she can fall in. So good of you to try a toilet seat and a step so she has stability and can stand up if she pleases. I guess the nursery has smaller toilets which are less scary. Take her feelings seriously and comfort her while she goes to the toilet. Guide her (hold her hand) and tell her it’s not scary and you will be there to help her all the way. When you do this (or maybe several times) she will feel more at ease and can go to the toilet herself.

  4. Shan says:

    My son is 3 and a half and I’m having trouble potty training. He doesn’t speak at all either which is making it harder. I feel like I have tried everything. He does not come to me when he has pooed or peed in the nappy, I have to check it to see what’s in it.
    I have got a potty and a kids toiletseat with steps and handles.
    I get him to sit on the toilet everyday and he is still yet to pee in it, he will only sit on it for a few seconds then go wash his hands. I have got him pants and it still doesn’t help. He has seen me and my husband go to the toilet aswel.
    Any advice.

    1. Dustin v. says:

      Would you be able to free up a week to potty train your little son? It is normal for a 3 and a half to act like this, because he gets used to the nappies. Therefore, our training programme starting with developing a routine for the little ones.

      From what you have described, you are prepared and your little son has also got some ideas what is going on. However, I think you would need our training programme to guide both you and your son step-by-step to be completely potty trained. You also need to prepare some small gifts to help encouraging your son and in our training programme, there is a check-list for you to prepare before starting the potty training.

      Hope this information helps, and we look forward to provide further support to you and your cutie little son.

      Best regards

    2. nichola says:

      Try using his favourite toys sitting on the potty and making them have a Wee congratulate his toy getting ur son to be involved in giving his toy some special attention for doing so well then ask him if he would like to try this worked with my son as he refused to sit on either until I tried this hope it helps and good luck. ?

  5. Clare says:

    Hi my son tuned 3 today we did try potty training a couple of time as he seemed to be ready or showing signs of been ready but unfortunately he seemed uninterested and I didn’t won’t to pressure him as didn’t want him feeling more uncomfortable, he’s fully aware of when he wees and when he’s filling Is nappy, but he goes and hides tho when this happens, he as always done this tho it’s kinda difficult to ? he’s my 3rd boy and my other 2 where the same and there was almost 3 to so is it just a boy thing or is there more ways I can try to encourage him people have said he will be ready when he feels more ready i do encourage him loads but I feel he’s just just 100 percent comfortable within himself at the moment!!

    1. Dustin v. says:

      Hi Clare, this is normal behaviour, not specific to boys. The feeling of pooing can be exciting or an akward feeling, that’s why he’s searching privacy. This could result in some struggles not wanting to go on the potty. But if you comfort him or put the potty on a private spot you can turn this to a positive thing. Just acknowledge his feelings and make suggestions that make him feel comfortable.
      Make small steps and you will achieve your goal.

  6. Rachel says:

    Hi my boy is 18 months old and showing signs of potty training. Tells us when he’s had a poo and wants his full wet nappy changing etc. Is he too young to start potty training?

    1. Dustin v. says:

      Hi Rachel, these signs are telling you he is mentally ready. Kids are getting physically ready around 18-20 months. We like too keep some margin here and advise to start around 24 months to be sure he’s physically ready too. That does not mean you can’t try. There are parents who try and succeed around 18 months. Keep it accessible and keep in mind it’s early for him if you plan on trying it.

  7. Zoe says:

    My toddler is showing signs of being ready but cries when we ask him to go on the potty before going in the bath and will hold his wee until he is in the bath. How do I help him not be afraid of the potty?

    1. Dustin v. says:

      Hi Zoe, the potty can be an exiting thing. Take small steps to let him get used to the potty. For instance use a teddy bear and let it wee on the potty to let your boy know it isn’t scary. Next step is to let him sit on the potty with his clothes still on. Reward him if he takes this step. Next step with his nappy on, and so on.
      It’s important to take his fear seriously, so you can guide him step by step.

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