Toilet Training
Basics
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Summary
Is your child ready to use a potty? Children are usually ready around ages 18-24 months. They often signal that they are ready by letting you know when their diapers need changing.
You should be prepared to commit to three months of daily encouragement. Successful trips to the potty should be rewarded. Accidents shouldn't get as much attention. Training requires patience. If it is not successful, it may mean your child is not ready.
If there are major changes in your family's life, such as moving or having a new baby, it may not be a good time to start potty training.
Related Issues
- Cognitive and Verbal Skills Needed for Toilet Training (American Academy of Pediatrics) Also in Spanish
- Emotional Growth Needed for Toilet Training (American Academy of Pediatrics) Also in Spanish
- Emotional Issues and Bathroom Problems (American Academy of Pediatrics) Also in Spanish
- Psychological Readiness and Motor Skills Needed for Toilet Training (American Academy of Pediatrics) Also in Spanish
- Stages of Toilet Training: Different Skills, Different Schedules (American Academy of Pediatrics) Also in Spanish
Specifics
- Toilet Training and the Older Child (American Academy of Pediatrics) Also in Spanish
- Toilet Training Children with Special Needs (American Academy of Pediatrics) Also in Spanish
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Urine collection methods used for non-toilet-trained children in pediatric emergency...
- Article: Urine collection methods for non-toilet-trained children in biological monitoring studies:...
- Article: Management of Childhood Functional Constipation: Consensus Practice Guidelines of Indian...
- Toilet Training -- see more articles
Find an Expert
-
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
(National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)
Also in Spanish
- KidsHealth (Nemours Foundation)
Patient Handouts
- Toilet training tips (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish