How to Potty Train Your Toddler in 3 Days
Potty train your toddler quick with these effective and easy to follow tips!
Are you ready to potty train your toddler and are completely overwhelmed with how to start? You are not alone!
I remember thinking about potty training even while I was pregnant with both my kids, because it is such a huge transition that comes up so fast.
Something that helped ease the stress for me was remembering that eventually, every child ends up potty trained! No one is heading off the college not being potty trained.
It also helps to have a plan and know the steps you should be taking before, during and after toilet training. I am here to give you just that!
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When Should You Start Potty Training?
It is important to note that every single child is so different. Some may benefit from an earlier start, some may pick it up much better a little later in toddlerhood.
However, I have found with my own kids, and through word of mouth and research, the sweet spot is really about 2.5 years old.
With both my own kids, something clicked in their brains. Following the tips in this post, my son learned pretty quickly, and my daughter basically potty trained herself, right at the 2.5 year mark.
2.5 is also a great time because they are more likely to be physically capable of holding it if necessary. My thinking was always that, the earlier you start, the longer you will most likely be dealing with messes and waiting for them to understand their own bodies.
But, you know your child best.
Once you have decided it is a good time to start, you can get down to business.
What You Will Need
Before you start, you need to make sure you have everything you need so you are not rushing around when the time comes. You will need:
1. A Potty or Potty Seat
First, you need to decide if you want to start your child on a toddler sized potty or get a potty seat for your adult sized toilet.
For both my kids, we started with a toddler sized toilet and upgraded to a seat on the big toilet. The transition went well.
I love the idea of these toddler toilet seats, because they have a built in step stool. However, they do take up a bit more space.
This is the toddler toilet we used, and then the potty seat we put on our toilet. I LOVE it because the toddler seat is built right in, which has been amazing! You can also opt for this cheaper toilet seat option, of a removable seat you pop on easily for use.
2. Underwear, Pull ups, and/or Cloth Training Pants
For the first few days you want them to be pants-less (explained below) and then you will be transitioning to underwear.
You can keep pull ups for night time if you would like, as night time training is so developmental. I personally just waited until both my kids woke up dry consistently on their own, which was not long after we started potty training anyway.
Cloth training pants are a nice idea if you would like to use them before using underwear, or want them to get used to the feeling of underwear while being able to feel when they are wet.
They can also be great for outings, if you are not sure about how they’ll be able to manage holding it, as a just incase. Still feels like underwear, but contains the mess.
3. Reward System
You want to have some sort of reward system in place for when they go in the potty.
I love charts and stickers, or you can even get some a magnetic potty chart with magnets. That is a great idea for if you will need to train multiple kids in the future, you can re-use it.
Some people don’t like the idea of a reward system, because they think a child would get too dependent on it.
I am here to tell you that both of my kids were trained with reward systems and it was easy to wean them off the system. I have actually never heard of there ever being an issue with anyone I know!
A reward system makes it easier and fun for everyone! You can also use a small treat, like one Smartie or fruit snack every time they go.
Once you have everything you need, you are ready to start!
RELATED: HOW TO ENCOURAGE INDEPENDENT PLAY FOR YOUR TODDLER
Step by Step Guide to Potty Training Your Toddler
1. Choose a Set Date and Stay Home
Choose a date to start and let your child know too! Get them excited and prepare them for the fact that on this day, there will be no more diapers.
Once you have a date, set aside at least three full days to be home. Do not go anywhere or plan any big outings. If you want it done fast you have to commit and be all in.
Have games to play at home, lots of activities, some screen time, snacks and drinks so they pee lots and get lots of practice!
This part can be a bit boring for you, but it can also be so much great bonding time!
2. Keep Them Bottomless
You want to keep them completely bottomless for at least one full day, probably two. This is so they can physically see when they are peeing, and where it is going.
You have to be watching constantly and if they start to make a mess, run them to the potty.
3. Set a Timer for Potty Breaks
Set a timer, especially on day one, for set times to sit on the potty. That way, they get used to the feeling of being on it, whether they go or not.
More often than not, they will go once they are on there!
I find kids tend to listen so well to timers over simply telling them, it’s time to go. It’s like magic.
Do not worry if they do not go ever time you set them there. They can only go so much. However, make sure they get lots to drink so they get lots of practice.
4. Reward and Praise!
Every time they go in the potty, even a little, even if you had to rush them there, give them your reward and lots of praise!
5. Underwear
Day three is usually when they are ready to try underwear. Have lots on hand for accidents, but by day three they should not be having quite as many.
6. Do Not Worry About Nights Yet
Potty training is developmental, but especially at night time.
Your child will most likely end up waking up dry at some point on their own. If you are ever worried that they are not and should be, try cutting back fluids a bit earlier in the night and talk to a pediatrician.
7. Outings
It is up to you how soon you or your child are ready to try outings in underwear.
It’s a good idea to have them use the bathroom before you go out, and start with short trips, lengthening those trips as you get more sure they understand the concept of holding it.
With my first, we put him in a pull-up for longer outings, and it did not seem to stop his progress.
You could also use the training underwear for outings, so they feel if they are wet but the mess is still contained.
Extra Tips
It is so much easier said than done, but try not to make it more complicated than it needs to be.
Children learn best through observation and play, so I am willing to bet that even if you did nothing but waiting and encouraging, they would eventually go on their own just from watching you.
So, bring them to the bathroom with you and keep it light! The more pressure and stress they feel, the less likely they are to want to learn.
Do not shame or panic when they do make messes, as we want them to keep trying. We don’t want to make them anxious over this.
If you start and are finding things are not going well, or your child (or you!) are not as ready as you thought they/you were, then it is okay to take a break! All these tips are guidelines, and there are no set in stone rules to how this should go.
I hope some, if not all, of these potty training tips help you set up well and guide you and your toddler in the right direction!
