Few milestones feel as significant or as uncertain as potty training. For families, it’s a sign of growth and independence. It’s also a major shift in routines, expectations, and caregiver involvement. Whether this is your first time guiding a child through the process or your third, every journey is different. Occupational therapists can be a valuable resource, helping families feel confident and prepared at every step.
When to Start Potty Training and What to Watch For
Most kids are ready to start potty training sometime between 18 and 36 months, with many showing signs of readiness between 20 and 30 months. But that window isn’t a strict rule. What matters just as much is whether the family is ready to commit the time and attention needed for success.
Look for a few key indicators that your child might be ready:
- They stay dry for about 1.5 to 2 hours at a time
- They can sit upright independently
- They begin to manage clothing with some help
- They express awareness of being wet or soiled (especially after a bowel movement)
Readiness doesn’t mean mastery. Many of these skills will grow during the process. And if your household is in the middle of a big change, like moving or welcoming a new baby, it’s okay to wait until things are more stable.
Getting Ready to Start Potty Training
You don’t need a house full of potty gear. In most cases, a small floor-level potty chair is enough to help your child feel safe, stable, and successful.
A few helpful ways to prepare:
- Choose a method that matches your lifestyle and your child’s temperament
- Talk to your child ahead of time about what to expect
- Use language that builds body awareness (e.g. “My belly feels full. I need to go to the potty”)
- Coordinate with daycare or other caregivers so the approach stays consistent
Some families build excitement with rituals like saying goodbye to diapers. Others keep it matter-of-fact. There’s no one right way. A little planning and communication goes a long way.
Two Potty Training Approaches That Work
1. The Three-Day Method
This popular intensive method involves keeping your child nude from the waist down and spending focused time at home for several days. The idea is to create a strong association between the physical sensation of needing to go and actually using the potty.
Tips for success:
- Increase fluids early in the day to boost urge awareness
- Keep the potty nearby and visible
- Play and stay close. Watch for signals and help them respond quickly
- After a few days, progress to pants without underwear to reinforce sensation
If your child isn’t successful after three days, that’s okay. Continue at the same level until they’re ready to move forward.
2. Scheduled Sits
If you can’t dedicate a full weekend, or your child thrives on routine, a gradual method may work better. Plan regular potty sits every 90 to 120 minutes, ideally tied to transitions like before meals, naps, or leaving the house.
Helpful tip: instead of asking, “Do you have to go?”, use clear direction: “It’s time to sit on the potty.” This avoids giving your child an opportunity to say no and supports consistency.
When Potty Training Doesn’t Go as Expected
Every child learns at a different pace. Some catch on quickly while others need more time, reminders, or repetition. Setbacks are common, especially if adults begin backing off too early.
Try these strategies:
- Increase fluids again to support urge awareness
- Revisit scheduled sits or offer more intentional reminders
- Watch for stool withholding. Constipation can make progress harder.
- Celebrate small wins and avoid pressure
- Focus on progress at home before expecting success in public spaces
Children may also regress after early success. This could be a sign they need more support, structure, or simply a reset in routine.
What About Potty Training and Nighttime?
Bedwetting is common and not considered a medical concern until age 7. Most kids achieve nighttime dryness naturally, typically within a year after daytime training. It’s okay to continue using diapers or pull-ups at night. You can support the process by gradually reducing fluids before bed and making bathroom access easy during the night.
When It’s Time to Ask for Help with Potty Training
Sometimes, extra support can make all the difference. Occupational therapy can help with both the physical and sensory aspects of potty training, especially when:
- You’ve been trying consistently for six weeks or more without success
- Your child resists or fears the potty
- Sensory challenges, such as discomfort sitting or bathroom environment aversions, are getting in the way
- You notice frequent urination (e.g. every 20 minutes) or recurring UTIs
- A child who was previously trained begins regressing significantly
- Constipation becomes frequent or leads to accidents
An evaluation can help uncover what’s getting in the way and offer new tools to move forward. As Red Door therapistt Courtney Kraft, MS, OTR/L, explains: “It’s intimidating for parents to start this process, but it’s also so exciting. It gives kids freedom and helps them grow in confidence.”
Potty Training Is a Skill and Support Helps It Stick
Potty training can be empowering for kids and for caregivers. With the right timing, tools, and mindset, it becomes an opportunity to build independence, self-regulation, and connection. There’s no perfect timeline and no single method that works for everyone. With patience and the right support, progress always comes.