10 Signs Your Child is Ready to Potty Train

October 10, 2008

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10 Signs Your Child is Ready to Potty Train

by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P.
reviewed by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P.

For many first-time parents of toddlers, potty training is a major hurdle, or at least a mystery. At fifteen months, your toddler is perfectly happy to walk around with a wet diaper. He finds the feel of squishy BM against his bottom not at all uncomfortable, unless he has a rash. He may seem vaguely interested in watching while you sit on the toilet, but he doesn't seem to make any connection between that and anything that he might do in that little plastic chair you've so thoughtfully provided for him. How do you get from this point, to the point of having a two year old who knows when he has to use the toilet, and how to use it?

You don't have to wait until your child is ready to toilet train him, but it makes it much easier if you do! When children are ready, the process of toilet training usually is pretty quick and easy - a matter of two to four months of not too hard work. You simply let your child see what you do, explain it a couple of times, and gently urge him to try it himself. A little praise for the efforts helps, but you don't need to go overboard. After all, doing grown-up things is rewarding to children (that's why they play house, and pretend to take care of baby dolls.) When your child is ready, he'll feel that using the potty is his own accomplishment. That's as it should be.

So, here are the top 10 signs that your toddler is ready to master the potty:

She's able to walk well on her own, and can pull down her own pants (elastic waistbands are good for this) and diaper.
She shows that she's aware of what's going on in her diaper-- either by saying something like "poo" or by looking uncomfortable when her diaper is full, or pausing in her playing.

She's interested in what you do in the bathroom, coming in to watch from time to time. She might help to flush, or wave "bye, bye" to the departing poop.

She's not completely caught up in needing to say "no" to everything you suggest (the automatic "no" stage is usually between about 18 and 30 months.)

She has tried to sit on the potty, with her pants and diaper on, and doesn't seem to mind it. She feels "friendly" towards "her" potty.

She understands when you ask, in a mildly interested way, "Do you need to use the potty?"

She's fascinated by putting things into containers (blocks into the box, pouring sand or water in and out of a bucket.)

She feels proud when she can do something "all by myself."

Her diaper is dry and clean often for a couple of hours at least.

She's interested in "big girl underpants."

Most children are ready to start potty training around age 2-1/2, some not till age three. You might put the potty out for them to get used to some months before then.

Just because you wait for signs of readiness doesn't mean that you have to be a passive bystander. You know your child best. If your child responds well to directions and praise, then by all means let him know what you expect. If your child resists being told what to do, you'll need to be careful that toileting doesn't become a battleground. Toddlers can't control much in their world, but they do control what goes into their bodies, and what comes out. Waiting until your strong-willed toddler is ready, then gently helping him to feel comfortable using the potty because he wants to, is a good way to avoid a battle over poop that you're bound to lose.


RELATED INFORMATION

			Toilet Training

Created April 25, 2003
Reviewed September 18, 2004

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