# Potty training tips: when to start and how to do it Most children are ready to start potty training somewhere between 18 months and 3 years: the NHS says almost all can be trained between 18 months and 2 and a half, and the AAP says the average US start is between 2 and 3. Pick a calm period, switch to underwear in the daytime, build potty visits into the daily routine, praise the effort, and treat accidents as part of learning. ## When to start The AAP says children generally show signs of bladder and bowel control between 18 and 24 months, that the average age to begin in the United States is between 2 and 3, and that most children are fully trained by 4. The NHS Best Start in Life page is more direct: almost all children can be potty trained between 18 months and 2 and a half, and you do not need to wait for your child to ask. Both suggest avoiding big upheavals. The AAP mentions a move, a new baby, a serious illness or a family crisis as reasons to hold off. ## Signs your child may be ready From the AAP's list: - Stays dry for about two hours in the day or after naps. - Shows they need to go: grunting, freezing or squatting. - Follows simple instructions. - Can walk to the bathroom and help undress. - Dislikes wet diapers, asks to use the potty or wants "big-kid" underwear. The NHS view is that these signs help but are not required. Use them as a guide, not a test. ## Step by step - **Prepare for a week or two.** Read potty books, talk about wees and poos when they happen, and let your child see you use the toilet. Make sure poos are soft; the NHS says to speak to a health visitor or GP first if your child is constipated. - **Choose a potty or a seat and step.** On a toilet, knees should sit higher than hips. - **Tell your child what is happening,** at a calm moment. - **Switch to underwear in the daytime.** The NHS says stop daytime nappies, including pull-ups; the AAP says diapers and training pants send a mixed message. - **Build potty visits into routines:** after waking, after meals, before naps, before bed. - **Teach the whole job:** wiping (girls front to back), flushing and washing hands. - **Dress for success:** clothes that pull down easily, and spare outfits when you go out. ## Accidents, praise and rewards Accidents are normal. The NHS advice is to stay calm, clean up together and move on. On rewards, the two sources differ: the NHS says stickers and reward charts can help and suggests praising effort whether or not it works, while the AAP suggests specific praise and avoiding treats and punishments, because mastering the skill is the real reward. Pick the approach that suits your child, and never punish or shame. ## Sitting still, nights, and where a song helps Many toddlers jump off the potty after a few seconds. The NHS suggests a book or a song to help them sit. A short, cheerful song with their name, about sitting, trying, flushing and washing hands, gives the moment a shape and a happy ending. See our [potty training song](/songs/potty-training-song), or the [routine songs for toddlers](/songs/routine-songs-for-toddlers) for the rest of the day. Keep nappies for naps and nights at first. The NHS says most children become dry at night some time after they are dry in the day, and that it happens naturally. Speak to your health visitor or doctor if you are worried, if constipation keeps coming back, or if your child is nearing school age without toilet skills. ## Questions **What age should you start potty training?** Most children start between 18 months and 3 years. The NHS says almost all can be trained between 18 months and 2 and a half; the AAP says the average US start is 2 to 3, with most fully trained by 4. **Should I wait for signs of readiness?** The AAP lists signs that suggest readiness. The NHS says you do not need to wait for your child to show signs or ask. Many families start when some signs appear and the household is calm. **Should I use rewards for potty training?** Sources differ. The NHS says stickers and charts can help; the AAP suggests specific praise instead of treats. Both agree: no punishment. **Should we use pull-ups during the day?** The NHS recommends stopping all daytime nappies, including pull-ups, once you start, and the AAP says diapers and training pants can send a mixed message. Keep them for naps and nights at first. **We have a new baby coming. Should we start now?** The AAP suggests delaying during big changes such as a new baby. Its new-baby advice says to finish toilet training before the birth if possible, or wait until things settle. **Can a potty song really help?** A song does not train a child, but it can help them sit for a moment and make the routine feel friendly. The NHS mentions a book or a song for children who find it hard to sit. ## Sources - American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), [The Right Age to Potty Train](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/toilet-training/Pages/the-right-age-to-toilet-train.aspx), 2022-05-24. Read 2026-10-17. - American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), [Potty Training: 12 Tips to Keep the Process Positive](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/toilet-training/Pages/Praise-and-Reward-Your-Childs-Success.aspx), 2023-11-06. Read 2026-10-17. - NHS, [Potty training your child (Best Start in Life)](https://www.nhs.uk/best-start-in-life/toddler/potty-training-your-child/). Read 2026-10-17. - American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), [Preparing Your Older Child for a New Baby: How to Help Siblings Adjust](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/prenatal/Pages/Preparing-Your-Family-for-a-New-Baby.aspx), 2026-02-10. Read 2026-10-17. --- Still Morning: one song $29, five songs $49, twenty songs $99 (the same numbers in euros or pounds in Europe and the UK), paid once. No subscription; packs never expire. Made with AI. The words come from an AI writer working from your details, and you approve them. The music and the voice come from an AI music model (not a human singer). Make a song: https://stillmorning.net/create Page: https://stillmorning.net/guides/potty-training-tips (updated 2026-10-17)