Ask Our Experts: Potty Training

When would be the right time/age to start potty training my toddler?

Toilet training or potty training is teaching your child to recognize his or her body signals for urinating and defecating by using a potty-chair or toilet correctly at the appropriate times.

Toilet training should begin when the child shows signs that he or she is ready. If you try to toilet train before your child is ready, it can be a battle for both you and your child. The ability to control their bowel and bladder muscles comes with certain maturity and each child develop control over his or her bladder and bowel function at different rates. There’s no standard age at which a child is ready to start using the potty. But most children gain the skills they need to start training when they are between 18 months and three years old. Girls tend to be ready a few months earlier and achieve earlier control than boys.

The following may be indicators of your child’s readiness to begin toilet training. Your child should be able to:

• Walk well in order to get to the potty chair or toilet.
• Tell you when there is a need to go to the potty.
• Asks to have the diaper changed or tells you a bowel movement or urine is coming
• Shows discomfort when the diaper is wet or dirty
• Follows you into the bathroom and see how the toilet is used
• Wants to do things (like going to the potty) to make parents happy or to get praised
• Has dry diapers for at least two hours during the day or is dry after naps or overnight

Your child needs a lot of encouragement to achieve this important milestone and need your full understanding and support. So, do not rush him or her for as doing so, as it may have reverse impact on her confidence in developing this skill. Every child is different and therefore do not compare between their siblings if they have any. Just be aware that toddlers generally take about few weeks to months in order for them to master this skill. We as parents just need to support them through this process and enjoy seeing how proud they are when they have been successfully toilet trained.