3 Ways to tell it’s time to start potty training

The truth is, potty training is a developmental milestone that differs from child to child, and can occur any time between the age of 2-4. 

In her book, Toddler Sense, Sister Ann Richardson, says, “Bladder and bowel control can only occur once the nerves and muscles involved are fully developed. This happens at around age 2.” 

At this time, toddlers also start to make the connection between the inner sensation they feel via their sensory system and the physical reality of passing a stool or urine. 

Two other things also need to happen in your child’s body: 

• The nerves to the bowel and bladder need to get messages from the brain to the muscles of the bowel and bladder so that effective “emptying” can take place. 
• The muscles of the bowel and bladder also need to be strong enough to hold onto their contents until they can be emptied. 

In other words, your little one needs to be able to recognise that they need to use the potty and be able to hold it until it’s appropriate to go. This is the first sign that your child is ready to start potty training, along with having a dry nappy for 2-3 hours during the day.  

If these physical changes haven’t yet happened and you start potty training too soon, you run the risk of cleaning up endless “accidents” throughout the day. 

Signs your child is ready to start potty training: 

They can sit, stand and walk, follow simple instructions and talk a little 

Whether your child is being potty trained at crèche or at home, it’s important that they've reached all these age-appropriate milestones before you attempt potty training. This will set you both up for success down the line.     
 
Tracey Bloomberg, mom of three, says, “Although my two-year-old could verbalise when she needed to use the potty, the time between her telling me she needed to go and actually weeing was short, so I used to carry a potty around in the boot of my car for emergencies in shopping malls, at parks or friends’ houses. This strategy really worked, and my child was potty trained in a few days!”

They follow you to the toilet and are fascinated with what you do

According to a study published in Developmental Behavioural Pediatrics, children around age two are eager to mimic their parents’ behaviours. 

“This creates opportunities to watch parents use the bathroom and imitate them by sitting on the potty at the same time,” explains study author, Alison Schonwald. According to Richardson, you can also use this opportunity to let your child tear off the toilet paper for you and help you flush. 

The key is to make potty training as fun and as effortless as possible. Your child will get it when they're ready. 

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