When To Start Potty Training

I was recently asked when would be a good time to start potty training a child.  Depending on who you ask, it could be anywhere between 18 to 24 months or later, but the truth is each child is different, so it’s better to check whether or not your child is exhibiting signs of readiness.  Cues that your child could be ready for potty training include staying dry for extended periods of time, recognizing that he or she has a dirty diaper and telling you about it, the ability to pull up and take off his or her pants, and an interest in imitating others who use the toilet.  Children under age 2 may exhibit an interest in potty training, but given their short attention spans, may lose interest soon after you start trying.  Just be patient and then try again in a few more months.

If you plan to send your child to preschool, make sure to let the staff know of your child’s potty training progress.  That way they can follow up on what you’ve started at home and encourage frequent trips to the restroom.  Watching the other kids in their class go to the restroom can sometimes help speed up the process, because they will want to be like their friends. 

Personally, I started potty training Felicity the summer before she started preschool, when she was 3.  Sometimes I would sit in the bathroom with her for up to 45 minutes at a time.  We would read books and sing songs until we had a success.  Luckily for me, she was potty trained by the time preschool started.  By the time Chase was ready to start potty training, Nick was a baby, so I did not have the luxury of sitting with him in the bathroom for the same length of time I did with Felicity, and his progress has been more slow.