When To Start Potty Training

First time parents are often barraged with well-intended advice about potty training their child. It's common to feel inadequate when it seems like your child is the only one not potty training quickly and easily.

Know When to Start

Potty training requires certain physical and neurological development to be in place. Young children often have not developed the neural pathways for the bladder to signal the brain that it needs to be emptied. Trying to potty train a child before these pathways are in place will only frustrate both of you.

You'll know your child is getting closer to be ready for potty training when he starts going longer periods of time without needing a diaper change. This indicates his brain/bladder connection is forming. He will also begin to dislike the feeling of being wet and want to be changed when he is.

Switching from disposable to cloth diapers can help your child recognize when he is wet because they don't wick moisture away from his skin. Since he is beginning to dislike the feeling of being wet, he will be more open to discussions about how big kids use the potty and don't have to feel wet.

Feed His Curiosity

Children are naturally curious. When your child starts wanting to follow you into the the bathroom and see what you are doing in there, encourage his curiosity. Answer his questions so he can understand how his body works. Explain that everyone uses the bathroom and that big kids don't have to wear diapers because they've learned to use the potty.

Knowing when to start potty training isn't an exact science. No one knows your child better than you do, so you are the only one who can decide when to begin. If you feel your child may be getting close, spend some time educating yourself about the process before you begin trying to educate him.

Being prepared yourself will make you much more confident and that alone will help ease any misgivings your child may have about what you're trying to do. Just remember to keep it as stress-free as possible and you will both come out happy and successful.

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