This review and giveaway was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Pampers. I was compensated for my participation in this campaign, but all opinions are 100% mine.”
From the time your baby is born, he or she embarks on a crazy journey of daily change. As they approach toddler-hood, those changes slow down a bit, but eventually lead up to one really big change – the transition from diapers to using the potty!
But how do you know your child is ready to go pee or poop on the potty?
Toddlers give many behavioral and developmental cues that they are ready to be potty trained. As a first-time mom, I didn’t realize what those were, but now that I’m on my third time around, I feel like I have a good grasp of what to look for.
I prefer to potty train in the spring or summer when the weather is warm enough to spend some time outdoors for the days we’re actively training, and it’s a good time for many toddlers getting ready to go into a preschool class that requires potty trained children (the 3 year old class at our preschool requires this).
6 Signs Your Child is Ready to Potty Train
There are many signs toddlers give to indicate they are ready to potty train. Here are the top 5 potty training signs I like to see:
- Ability to use their words to express themselves
- Can pull down their own pants
- Aware of the sensation of peeing or pooping (as in, they stop what they’re doing to pee or poop)
- Bothered by wet or poopy diapers
- Start hiding behind the sofa or standing in a corner to poop
- Curious about bathroom activities
5 Tips to Ensure a Smooth Potty Training Experience
Potty training can be stressful for parents and toddlers, alike. There are a few things you can do to guard against setbacks.
1) Be consistent in terminology and routine – Refer to your potty as a toilet? Make sure to do so every time. Toddlers can get confused by the different terminology, but will pick up on the term you use for the potty/toilet really quickly. Same goes for which bathroom you use. If you have multiple bathrooms, choose one as the primary potty training location, and make sure your toddler understands where it is. It is important to let them try out using different potties, but in the first days, simplicity is key.
2) Use training pants instead of diapers at night and on road trips – Going from training pants to diapers overnight can be confusing and possibly cause setbacks. I find this to be especially true when I forget to change the diaper first thing in the morning. That morning pee done in the diaper instead of the potty can set back our entire day! Training pants like Pampers Easy Ups allow you to ditch diapers altogether. Training pants make toddlers feel like they’re wearing underwear, but they are really as absorbant as diapers and help keep accidental messes off clothing and bedding.
I like Pampers Easy Ups because they have an absorbant core that’s supposed to hold 25% more than other leading training pants, keeping little ones dry for up to 12 hours! Perfect for day or night use.
3) Stay positive – Toddlers respond really well to positive feedback. Make them feel like a big kid by helping them avoid accidents; the best way to help them avoid accidents is to make sure they’re attempting to use the potty frequently throughout the day. I like to ask them to visit the bathroom about once every hour to get them used to the process. Avoiding accidents helps everyone stay positive and gives your toddler confidence in his or her abilities. When an accident inevitably occurs, help your child learn to cope with it and make sure not to dwell on the issue. Focus your attention on celebrating your child’s successes with plenty of hugs and words of encouragement. Every little win is a step in the right direction.
4) Reinforce the message – Find videos or books about potty training, such as You and Me Against the Pee! Reinforcing the “going to the potty is good” message makes a trip to the bathroom fun and exciting for little ones. If your toddler is scared of using the potty, make sure to let him or her accompany you on bathroom trips to show that mommy isn’t scared!
5) Equip Yourself Properly – Pampers provided me with a handy step stool and potty seat to use in my potty training endeavors. I have to say, my little guy (2 years old) LOVED it! He immediately knew what the step stool was for, and hopped right up on the potty. The potty seat allows him to sit comfortably without falling in the bowl. 🙂
Until now we had primarily been trying to get him to use his kiddie sized potty, but I personally prefer him to go on the regular potty so I don’t have to clean the bowl out!
So this combo is much more ideal – a potty training seat and a Little Looster step stool!
Finishing the Potty Training Process
Pampers sent me a potty training package to help me finish potty training my third child. I couldn’t be happier with the items I received. They sent me the items pictured below – a potty seat, It’s You and Me Against the Pee! book, Easy Ups, and a Little Looster step stool.
Until I received my potty seat, I had been haphazardly potty training my little guy on a tiny potty, only to have him get confused about why I was using the big potty instead and why I had to clean out his little potty instead of just flushing it. He is full of so many questions! 🙂 My girls didn’t have those types of questions, so I wasn’t properly prepared this time around.
While all of his questions were super cute, I realize now that I could have made this process a bit easier by just going straight for the big potty with the right set of tools. Whereas before he struggled to get up on the big potty at all, the Little Looster step stool makes that a breeze.
With only a few days into the new “big potty” process, he’s really starting to get it, and I think our days of the little potty are behind us! Yay for me! No more having to clean out smelly poop! 🙂
Want to Win a Potty Training Prize Pack of Your Own?
Pampers is offering one lucky WhatMommyDoes reader a chance at winning the exact prize pack I received above!
Here is what you’ll get:
- a $50 AMEX gift card
- a Little Looster Step Stool
- a pack of Pampers Easy Ups
- a Potty Ring
Twitter Party & Giveaway Entry Form!
Please join @Pampers on April 21st from 9-10pmEST as they host a Twitter Party with Dr. Laura Jana, pediatrician, award-winning parenting book author and potty training expert who co-authored to Its You and Me Against the Pee…and the Poop, Too! RSVP here: http://vite.io/doubledutydivas
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shelly peterson says
I haven’t potty trained in so long so I would say knowing for sure that my grandson is ready yet to start potty training.
Betsy says
that she’s not quite ready yet
Lisa Brown says
time would be concerning, should not take as long as it does.
Sarh S says
not really a concern, but our biggest struggle is that he uses having to go potty as an excuse to play in the bathroom. As a busy mom of 3 can’t always be right there with him.
Lena Gott says
LOL I have the same thing going on over here! He’ll go to the potty, and after a while I’ll realize that he’s taken a plastic cup in there and is “washing” the sinktop! 🙂
Lauren says
My biggest concern is how to potty train at night.
Lena Gott says
With all three of ours, we didn’t go cold turkey. I don’t have the patience to clean up wet bedding! We do pull ups until they can go several days in a row without having a night pee. Then they come off.
Julie Wood says
Not being able to get child to cooperate and having a hard time with getting child to the bathroom in time! Being Consistent is my biggest problem.
steve weber says
How long will my child take to fully potty train
Lena Gott says
I hear ya! I am so jealous of those who say they can do it in 3 days. I was not that lucky on #1 and #2. It’s my experience that when another baby comes into the equation soon after potty training, there’s a big chance of regression. My third doesn’t seem to have any tendencies to regress so far, and he is our last. Go figure! 🙂
Elle P. says
My biggest concern was regressing especially when in a less controlled environment.
Lena Gott says
Yes, regression was a sore spot for me the first two times!
Elena says
my concern is if they are ready yet
Lena Gott says
Me too! This time I waited until my child ASKED to start learning. LOL #lazymomwins
Kelly D says
My biggest concern is trying to figure out when they are ready. It is confusing for them to start trying to train and then needing to stop.
Janet W. says
My biggest potty training concern is getting my youngest grandson to sit on the potty long enough to do a bowel movement!
Jenna D says
When they only want to go on the potty when they choose
Linda says
My biggest concern was knowing when to move on from diapers and being confidant that she wouldn’t continue to have accidents but was full trained.
Lena Gott says
We did cold turkey with my oldest and had lots of accidents. So the next two we continued to use training pants for a while. I can see it both ways. Cold turkey was a lot faster overall.
Natalie says
My biggest concern was with how to educate my daughter about how to learn when she feels she needs to go to the bathroom.
Lena Gott says
That IS really a tough thing – some kids are better than others. I know my 4 year old is still not as good as her younger brother at knowing. I think they get preoccupied and forget to pay attention to the sensation.
Jessica To says
My biggest concern is at what age are they ready to begin.
Lena Gott says
A lot of people say right when they turn 2, but I think 2.5 is a great target to start at.
Sarah Hall says
My biggest concern is whether I have the patience to be ready when they are ready and not when I want them to go.
Lena Gott says
LOL That’s why I waited so long to train #3! It’s honestly easier to put on a diaper and run to the store versus knowing where all the store restrooms are and visiting them all the time. 🙂
nicole dziedzic says
My biggest concern about potty training my child, is them getting to frustrated and overwhelmed.
Lena Gott says
Yes I know a lot of moms have that same concern!
Rochel S says
Nervous about the accidents! And about public bathrooms 🙁 especially with a girl!
Mayela says
My biggest concern is how to potty train at day.
HS says
Mine is my kids are only comfortable going to the potty with me.
Denise says
My biggest concern is leaving the house and running errands when potty training
Lena Gott says
This was always my biggest concern!
Nicki says
Getting my son to go all night without an accident makes me concerned!
shelly says
Mine is the amount of time it takes to get my daughter to try to use the potty.
Stacey b says
My biggest concern and struggle right now is preventing bed wetting.
Shannon says
How to night train
latanya t says
long car rides and being out in public
Leah says
Having the process drag out for months on end! This has happened to several friends of mine and it’s frustrating to parent and child alike.
Leigh Anne Borders says
My biggest concern is the time it will take to do it. I want to be quick and easy but I know it is probably going to be a challenge.
Susan says
Accidents in public are my biggest concern.
Sandy Klocinski says
I am way past the age where I have to potty train anyone so I guess I have no concerns
manda says
Patience. 🙂
Lena Gott says
So true! LOL
Lena Gott says
So true! LOL
Sondra @ Sondra Lyn at Home says
Not knowing whether or not my grandson is ready… but your blog post helps with that!
Ellie Wright says
As the mom of 3 boys and grandma of 2 boys, I am concerned that for the first time I have a granddaughter to help potty train. She’s only 6 months now but I’m already wondering what the heck to do. I don’t even know how or when to start. My boys were easy.
Lena Gott says
My son is proving to be easier than the girls, although I have heard the opposite from others. He just thinks it’s “cool” whereas they thought it was “gross.” I think the overall process was the same for all.
Dianne says
The biggest challenge will be staying dry through the entire night
Rennie D says
My biggest concern is the night time training part that comes along with potty training. I wondering if I just start with day time first and then ease our way into night or what?
Stephanie Phelps says
My biggest potty training concern is how do you handle the accidents when you are out!
Margaret Smith says
My biggest concern is when we’re away from home. To make sure I remind often and ask often if they have to use the potty.
wen budro says
My biggest concern is figuring out the right time to start.
Kimmy Ripley says
I do not know how I am going to get my daughter to wipe her own poopy butt.
Jennifer Dunaway says
My biggest concern is that she will be able to wipe.
colleen long says
My biggest concern is pee on the floor!
Jennifer W says
My biggest concern is how long it might take and having to handle most of it on my own.
Pamela F says
My biggest concern is knowing when our kiddo’s ready.
Rene Chartier says
That my little one is ready.
Capucine says
My biggest concern is my daughter having an accident when we are out and her being embarrassed.
Debbie C. says
Night time and going to public places – both are a challenge!
Jodi Kershuk says
I would have to say being in public and not being able to find a bathroom until its too late.
Leah Shumack says
My biggest concern is starting before they are ready! My daughter wasn’t ready until she was 4 and we tried several times before that and then like one week she’s like boom no more diapers!
Kenny says
I’m concerned about how long it will take. A few days? Weeks? I guess it depends on a lot of factors and the child though!
Aaron says
My biggest concern is public accidents.
Thomas Gibson says
My biggest concern is my son picking up bad habits from others at daycare.
Cynthia C says
It’s a challenge to teach little ones to wipe properly.
nickie says
NIghttime accidents are my biggest concern
Bridgett Wilbur says
My biggest potty training concern is when they have accidents in public , but I always come prepared.
samantha penrod says
my biggest concern is not pushing them to go on the potty
Madonna says
Wondering if I had enough panties for it. That was way before pullups 🙂
Jessica Vaughan gengler says
accidents — this is my fourth kid, so I think we kinda have this process down. 🙂
tonya dreese says
That he will hold his poop in and just not go potty on the potty chair.
Barbara Montag says
My biggest concern was that they would have to go and there wouldn’t be a bathroom anywhere close enough.
thank you
Julie says
My biggest concern is that she won’t want to sit on the potty and throw a huge fuss about it. Julie [email protected]
ellen beck says
Biggest concern is if i am rushed the experience or waited too long. I guess knowing exactly when the right time is is difficult.
Trisha Burgess says
My biggest concern is timing. Knowing when it’s right for my son to start!
Sydney says
Biggest concern is handling potty training when we are out and about!
Kathleen says
Biggest concern is teaching how to wipe properly.
kport207 at gmail dot com
Aqdas Ahmed says
I am dreading the cleaning… I know I can’t prevent all accidents from happening, but I just hate the cleaning!!
Betsy Barnes says
When we were potty training our son, the biggest potty training concern was keeping on a routine when we ran errands or traveled. 🙂
Danelle Eisinger says
my biggest potty training concern is if my kids are scared of the potty and wont go!
Birdiebee says
My biggest potty training concern back in the day was worrying about if my child was to have an accident when we were shopping or visiting. Back then, there were not such items as “Pull Ups”.
Rosanne says
Getting them both trained @ the same time
shirley says
My biggest potty training concern is, if she will not like it or give up, just got to remember it will happen.
Theresa Smith says
Getting the timing right is my biggest concern because if you try too early it makes things harder.
Maria B says
The hardest part is preparing my child I don’t think he is ready.
Carolyn Daley says
Making sure your child is ready for this step.
Francine Anchondo says
Knowing if there ready.
joe gersch says
My biggest concern is how to go about it
joe gersch says
my concnern is how to do it
Amy Orvin says
My biggest concern is if I have enough patience to do it.
Petra says
using public restrooms
alena svetelska says
my biggest concern was when was the right age to start potty training
Lisa Walker says
My biggest concern is dealing with potty training when we are traveling.
Shanna says
Car rides… public restrooms… ugh
Julie L says
My biggest concern is the night time potty training!
Maggie Smith says
Starting before they’re ready
laurie murley says
my problem is they get to playing and forget about the potty
Stephanie Larison says
My biggest concern is starting too early and setting her back a bit because of it.
heather says
Biggest potty training issue is overnight.
Peggy Rydzewski says
I guess it would have to be the concern of over night with no accidents.
Mary Cloud says
I don’t really have any concerns
Wanda McHenry says
I was unable to have children so I have never had a concern, unfortunately.
Laura J says
Our biggest concern is being able to potty train for the nights! So hard when they do not wake up at night to go potty.
Lindsey Khatri says
I’m worried about consistency when we have to go out and about so much with older sibs!
Heather Hayes Panjon says
My Biggest Potty Training Concern Is Knowing When The Right Time To Start.
Sherril McGann says
My biggest concern is that my grandson will fight potty training. He is very stubborn.
Stacy Renee says
I’m mostly worried about accidents in public and bed wetting.
Jenee says
I worry about comparison, like, is my child normal if he’s still figuring it out?
Tina Reynolds says
Worried about frustraiting them pushing to hard
Jenn Mc says
I am worried about my daughter being different to train , not necessarily harder just different
Amanda Sakovitz says
I’m worried about how long it will take
Lauren Becker says
The length of time it would take.
Jessica Cox says
I am worried about my child’s stubbornness she knows when she needs to go and still refuses
Thomas Murphy says
My biggest concern is knowing when its the right time.
Wehaf says
I’m worried about the length of the process.
Marnie G (Derrick Todd) says
The biggest concern is being able to be consistent — especially with other caretakers involved.
Richard Hicks says
Big concern is they take much longer than usual to learn.
Katherine Riley says
My biggest concern is knowing when to start.
Susan Smith says
Accidents in public places are my biggest concern.
Tammie Venne says
my biggest concern is actually the financial aspect, training pants are much more expensive than diapers
Tabathia B says
Getting them use to going to the potty every day hen they have to go and not part of a routine.
Trisha McKee says
My biggest concern was being sure to encourage in the right way so there would be no going back. I feared setbacks and what they would mean if they happened.
Seyma Shabbir says
Getting my sons to know to go to the bathroom before the rush hits.
Luci says
Well I love this just because of #1 and 2. If they can express themselves that means they understand you and you understand them. If they can pull down their own pants that is a must. So by the time this two happen they are actually closer to 3. Which by the way is a mentally good age to be ready, lessen the mental stress on the poor toddler.
Eden says
We used a sticker chart and when she got so many stickers she could choose a reward, (usually chocolate or something similar) it worked for her, we gave 2 stickers for a poop as we knew it was a bigger deal for her. Before the sticker chart was full she was out of nappies and has been day and night for 3 months now (she’s 2 1/2). I think when they’re ready they will let you know but a bit of perseverance helps. I was also lucky that the creche she is in have a potty training system that they take groups of children over 2 to the toilet every 30 minutes or so and reward those that use the toilet or potty with stickers that go onto a certificate that is then laminated and presented to the child when they are fully trained. Seeing other children use the potty or toilet helps a lot.