Picking the right time to begin potty training your little one can be tricky. Start too soon and you may unknowingly unleash toddler stubborness and resistance. Wait too long and your little one may be able to give you a oral dissertation as to why they will not go potty.Ā What I realize after having 3 kids and potty trained 2 successfully is that each journey varies (thanks to gender and individual personalities) but the cues of readiness remain constant. So how do you know when it’s time to eliminate diapers and begin potty squats? Here’s a checklist I created to help you gauge your child’s readiness.
Table of Contents
Your Child May Be Ready To Start Potty Training If They
- Is curious about the toilet, their use and perhaps even mimicks your behavior on the potty
- Wakes up from a sleep with a dry diaper regularly (signifies sufficient bladder control to not pee for a few hours)
- Dislikes the feeling of a wet or dirty diaper
- Has regular and predictable bowel movements
- Knows what “poop” and “pee” (or variations) are and can say these words
- Demonstrates a clear desire for independence – refusing help and saying “I do it” or “me” are clear signs
- Can pull up and down pull-ups/training underwear and pants/skirt
- Understand simple directions i.e “go potty now” and “sit down”
- Regularly lets you know they need pee or when they have a pile of stink in their diaper
- Pee a fair amount at one time, every few hours
- Is able to predict the need to pee or poop seconds or minute before they need to go, and lets you know
- Have the coordination and balance required to squat and sit on the potty for 2-3 minutes at a timeIs there anything Iāve missed? How did you know when your toddler was ready to toilet-train?Ā
Check Your Child’s Readiness:
Answered Yes To ALL
If you found yourself nodding your head up and down to all 12 signs then your toddler is ready to use the potty. It’s time to start your potty training adventure. Good luck and have fun! Also check out my free potty training reward chart printable hereĀ and also 10 Potty Training Travel Bag EssentialsĀ that helps you have a stress-free outing with your toddler.
Answer Yes To MOST
If you answered yes to most the signs then get ready – it may be time for pre-potty training. Your little one may not be ready for active potty training, but you can take steps to prepare your toddler for future potty training. Gradual introduction of terms and ideas will make potty training easier when the time comes. You can also check out my pre-potty training idea list to help you encourage your little one explore potty training.
Answered Yes To HALF
If you found yourself nodding vertically and horizontally equally then there are choices to make. This is where you should use your intuition. You know your child best – let that direct you toward the right plan of action.
Answered No to MOST
Your little one doesn’t seem ready just yet – check back in a month or two. Remember you want potty training to be a good experience for your little one. Starting too soon may cause stress and resistence when the time comes to potty train. Try not to make the milestones of other toddlers the benchmark for your toddler. Their bladder may still be developing or emotionally they just aren’t there – It’s okay!
Be patient, toddlers develop at their own pace.Ā