Toilet training
Toilet training is part of your child’s development. It is not advisable to set an age target your child to be fully toilet-trained. It depends on each child’s development. Trust your child and encourage them in their progress.
Before age 2, the vast majority of children are not toilet‑trained. Some are starting to show an interest. For others, this interest will come later, between 2 and 3 years old.
It’s important to go at your child’s pace to ensure that toilet training is a positive experience.
Signs that your child might be ready to for this new experience include the following:
- Your child can walk to their potty or the toilet.
- They want to sit on their potty or the toilet.
- They can feel their diaper is dirty and want you to take it off.
- They can pull their pants down.
- Their diaper stays dry for several hours.
Some children go through a period where they hide to have a bowel movement in their diaper. This doesn't mean they're ready to start toilet training. Quickly bringing them to the potty or the toilet at this time is not recommended, as they may associate the experience of toilet training with discomfort.
Before starting toilet training with your child, make sure they’re not in the middle of a change they need to adapt to (e.g., a move, a new childcare provider, the arrival of a baby). Also, make sure have time to guide and support them in this process.
The potty or the toilet?
A potty or a toilet with a footrest can both be used. The important thing is that the child is safe and feels comfortable. They should be able to rest their feet on the ground or on a footrest (e.g., small stool). They must be well seated and not at risk of falling.
When your child shows signs of being ready
When you see signs that your child is ready for toilet training, you can teach them the words that go along with it (e.g., “pee,” “potty”). Put a small potty in the bathroom or a stool beside the toilet. You can also read stories to your child about learning to use the toilet.
At first, your child can sit on the pot or toilet to play and explore. Congratulate your child when they show an interest in pulling down their pants and sitting on the pot, even if they’re not peeing or pooping yet. Quickly switch to training pants so your child can easily pull down their pants and underwear.
Once your child is used to the potty or toilet
Once your child has grown familiar with the potty or toilet, have them sit on it at key moments in their routine (e.g., after getting up, after meals or snacks, before nap or bath time). It should remain a pleasant experience. If your child refuses, it means they are not ready.
When you switch your child to cotton underwear, don’t get discouraged by accidents; they’re part of learning. Carry a change of clothes. Continue to encourage your child’s efforts and avoid punishing them if they have an accident (see Encouraging your child).
Children who seem to be toilet-trained sometimes take a step back and ask to have a diaper again. It’s better to respect their need, let some time pass and resume toilet training when the child shows interest again.