Ready to Potty Train
Signs that your Toddler is Prepared to Toilet Train
Watching for signs that your toddler is ready to potty train can save parents and toddlers from unnecessary stress.
Potty training is a huge mile stone in the life of a child. As a parent, it is often difficult to determine when it is appropriate to start potty training. Toddlers as young as 18 months old may begin to show interest in the potty but they may not have reached the other milestones in their development to prepare them to be fully potty trained.
Every child is different. Your toddler may be fully potty trained at 2 years old or your 4 year old preschooler may still be struggling with potty training. It is important to follow your child’s lead and not let outside influences add additional stress to the process. You can feel confident that no matter the pace your child takes learning to use the potty, they will be trained before kindergarten unless there are additional developmental issues to consider. There are several signs that your toddler may be ready to be introduced to the potty. You can begin slowly introducing your toddler to the potty, but until they meet the majority of these milestones they will not be prepared to be fully potty trained.
Shows Interest
Until your toddler is interested in the potty there is no point in pressuring them to train early. Showing interest is the first sign that your toddler may be ready to be potty trained. Without interest, potty training will fail. Your toddler will learn to use the potty much faster and less stressfully (for both you and your toddler) if you wait until they have a desire to start potty training. Your toddler may begin showing interest in watching an older sibling use the potty or may become curious about a child size potty if you have one available.
Asks for Diaper Changes
Your toddler may begin to tell you when they have gone to the bathroom and ask for a diaper change. As toddlers grow they become aware that they have gone to the bathroom and wet or dirty diapers begin to feel uncomfortable to them. Once they have this awareness, your toddler may start to show more interest in using the potty. As they pay more attention, your toddler will start to tell you when they are about to go to the bathroom. This is a very important step that they must take before being potty trained. It is very difficult to potty train a toddler who is not aware of when they need to use the bathroom.
Can Dress Themselves
In the beginning, you may help your toddler to pull their pants down and redress after using the toilet. However, before your toddler is able to be fully potty trained they must be able to dress themselves. Pants with elastic waistbands are very helpful for a toddler who is learning to use the potty. Snaps and buttons are often difficult for small fingers to master and can frustrate a toddler who is already learning so many new skills.
Stays Dry for 3-4 Hours
Until your toddler is able to stay dry for 2 hours at a time they are not ready to begin potty training. When your toddler reaches this milestone it tells you that their bladder muscles are developed enough to start potty training.
Average Age
Most toddlers are ready to start seriously potty training when they are 2 ½ - 3 years old. More active toddlers tend to potty train later than calm toddlers because they do not like to take the time out of their play to stop and use the potty. Encourage your toddler and allow them to lead the way.
