Toilet training is actually a bit of a misnomer It makes no difference how much you train your toddler; if they’re not ready, you’re wasting your time It just means a lot of extra fuss The two of you decide together when it’s time to start toilet training

Bladder control
Children start being able to control their bladder at 18-24 months – and this is the basic prerequisite for toilet training According to many people, around two is generally a suitable age to start introducing the concept of using a potty But the age varies All children are different – some are ready at two, while others take until the age of four

Instead of worrying what age is right, it’s better to keep a lookout for signs that your toddler is ready to start trying
When can you start toilet training?
1 If your toddler remains dry for two consecutive hours For instance, they may wake up with a dry nappy after an afternoon nap This shows that they can hold on to their wee for longer A three-month-old baby pees just over once an hour A three-year-old pees once every two hours But of course this is highly individual
2 If you notice facial expressions or gestures indicating that your toddler is aware of peeing or pooing For example, they might pause in the middle of playing or withdraw slightly to go in their nappy
3 If your toddler wants to have their nappy changed immediately after peeing or pooing Many toddlers react to poo first, because wee disappears into the nappy so quickly
4 If your child starts showing an interest in toilet habits and wants to copy you sitting on the toilet

Staying dry takes time
Giving up nappies takes time It takes a while for you to learn to spot the signals, time for your child to get to the potty in time, time to wipe up little puddles and wash and change soiled clothes But you’ll get there in the end

Some days everything works well, while on other days there are lots of little accidents The going can sometimes seem tough It’s all about training – and that includes the head as well as the muscles around the bladder and intestines

Don’t compare your toddler to other children - everyone develops at their own pace Some kids give up nappies immediately, while others take a bit longer Be patient – it’ll happen in the end