When Is the Right Time to Potty Train?

Finding the perfect time to start potty training is key to making the process smoother for both you and your child. While it’s natural to feel the urge to start early, especially when others around you seem to be doing so, the truth is that every child is different. The right time to begin depends entirely on your child’s physical readiness.

For some children, this might happen before they’re two, while others may take a little longer to recognise the signs, even closer to four. It’s important to follow your child’s cues, as starting too early can lead to frustration for both of you and could even slow down progress.

This guide offers gentle advice to help you support your child in learning to use the potty or toilet. Each child’s journey will be unique, and you might need to try different approaches until you find what works best for your family.

Explore the suggestions and decide which ones feel right for you. It’s not a race - going at your child’s pace will make the experience more positive for everyone.

Went really well

Went ok

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If things didn’t go as planned, take a moment to think about why. Was the day a bit hectic, and potty training just slipped through the cracks? Or maybe the approach just isn’t quite right for your child? Use these reflections to help guide your next steps.

Before diving into full-on potty training, try out these simple ideas to see how your child reacts. If they respond well to most of them, you might be ready to take the next step!

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Let your child have a look at the toilet - flush it, put toilet paper down it, move the lid up and down and sit on it. This ensures they become familiar with how the toilet works even if they aren’t ready to use it yet.
Get a potty and let your child play with it. Use dolls or teddies to mimic going to the toilet – even add pants to the dolls too.
Read some books about potty training together, like ‘Where’s My Potty’
Encourage your child to pull their own clothes up and down when getting dressed or at nappy changes.
Let them have a look in their wet or dirty nappy, especially if they are already curious about what is in there.
If you feel comfortable, you could let your child watch you go to the toilet - it might seem a bit strange, but children learn from watching their parents and it can help them understand what happens on the toilet.
If you are not comfortable with the above (or even if you are), try saying how you are feeling when you need to go to the toilet so your child can get  an idea of what this is. For example, ‘I need to go for a wee, I can feel it getting very full in my tummy.
Check your child has the language they need - toilet, potty, poo, wee.
Encourage your child to sit on the potty before they go in the bath and when you take their bedtime nappy off in the morning.
Let your child wash their hands with you after you change their nappy or after you use the toilet - they often love this bit so it could encourage  them to go!

You’ve noticed the signs, introduced the idea of the potty, and now it's time to give it a go! It can be helpful to start potty training when you have a few days at home with your child - bonus points if it’s sunny and you can spend time outside, making any accidents easier to handle. Here are some tips to support your child’s potty training journey:

• Create or download a reward chart. Give your child a sticker or tick each time they use the toilet or potty successfully.

• Offer a special certificate or reward when they reach a certain number of successful potty visits.

• Switch straight to pants! Feeling wet helps children understand when they’ve needed to go - pull-ups can feel too much like nappies and may delay the process.

• Keep your child entertained on the potty with books or activities, especially ones related to potty training that you’ve already introduced.

• Set consistent times for trying the potty or toilet, such as before bath time, bed, or leaving the house.

• Instead of asking, “Do you need the potty/toilet?” try saying, “Let’s go to the toilet to try for a wee/poo.”

• Work with your child’s key person at pre-school to ensure you’re all supporting the process in the same way.

  
  

These simple steps will help make the transition smoother and more consistent for your child.

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