Normal Age for Potty Training

Potty training can be a stressful time for parents and kids, but knowing the appropriate age to start can help tremendously. Potty training methods vary, so figure out what works best for your child. Most toddlers will have setbacks along the way, but if you stay patient and consistent, soon enough you can throw away those diapers.

  1. Age Range

    • According to HealthyChildren.org, most children start to show an interest in potty training between the ages of 18 months and 2 years. Before this age children cannot hold urine long enough for potty training to be successful. However, some children are not ready until the ages of 2 and a half and 3, so parents should take cues from their child to see when he or she is ready.

    Signs Your Child Is Ready

    • BabyCenter.com tells parents to make sure their toddler can stay dry for 3 to 4 hours to make sure he or she is ready for potty training. Toddlers should also be able to pull their own pants up and down, follow simple instructions, give some sort of sign before having a bowel movement, show an interest in other people's bathroom activities and want to have their diaper removed when soiled.

    Tips

    • Parents should wait to start potty training until they have 3 months where they can spend time every day encouraging their child's toilet habits, says HealthyChildren.org. The site also recommends using positive reinforcement, from praise to stickers to hugs, to reward your child when he does well. Establish a routine for every trip to the potty so your child knows what to expect. If you use childcare at all for your toddler during the week, make sure you let the daycare center or babysitter know your potty training plans and that they agree to continue what you started at home.

    Things to Avoid

    • Accidents will happen and parents should not get angry or upset with their toddler when they occur, according to BabyCenter.com. Also, be prepared for the process to take weeks or months. Pressuring toddlers to become fully potty trained before they are ready will only lead to frustration and upset. Do not start potty training when something is happening that disrupts your toddler's normal routine, such as a new sibling, a new babysitter or a move.

    Nighttime

    • Even once your toddler is potty trained during the day, it might take him longer to stay dry at night. According to BabyCenter.com, toddlers who are old enough to potty train still are not old enough to be able to wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. Using training pants at night, even if your toddler wears underwear during the day, can help with overnight accidents while still encouraging him to use the bathroom at night if he wakes up.

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