Toilet training tips: How and when to start toilet training

Toilet training can be one of the trickiest new skills a toddler can learn. It’s one of the reasons some parents put it off for as long as possible. Another reason can be that many new parents don’t know when to start toilet training or have questions about the best age to toilet train.

While most children show signs of being ready for toilet training between 18 and 24 months old, some may not feel ready until around 3 years old. It’s important to remember that there’s no ‘normal’ age; it’s all about what feels right for your toddler. 

Here are a few toilet training tips to help you know when it might be time. 

What is toilet training? 

Toilet training teaches toddlers how to use the toilet to pee or poop. After all, it’s not a skill we’re born with but one we learn from our parents as kids. Toilet training means helping your toddler become aware of what their bladders and bowels are telling them, and how to manage it.

No matter what you’ve heard in parent groups, there’s no such thing as the best age to toilet train. Toilet training is a process that involves both your toddler’s body and mind, and getting comfortable with their body’s signals is a skill that usually develops between 18 and 24 months of age.

When to start toilet training 

So if there’s no perfect time, how do we know when to start toilet training? The answer is in our toddlers themselves. Most children show signs of being ready for toilet training between 18 and 24 months of age. However, some may not feel ready to go independently until around 3 years old. The important thing to remember is that there’s no rush – your child will gravitate towards using the toilet alonewhen they’re ready, and trying to start too early could make for a trickier toilet training journey down the road. 

While it can be different for every little one, the general signs your toddler is ready to start toilet training can include the following:   

• They show signs that they’re about to pee or poop, like grunting, squatting or freezing
• They can follow simple instructions  
• They ask to use the toilet 
• They don’t like to be in wet nappies  

How to toilet train

Don’t stress. Knowing how to toilet train isn’t something anyone knows how to do until it’s time to do it, it’s very much a learned skill. Here are some usefultoilet training tips to get you started. 

1. Remember, there is no set age to begin toilet training. Every child is different, and will feel comfortable and ready to learn the ropes of the toilet at varying ages. 
2. It might sound like a no-brainer, but as part of toilet training, your toddler needs to learn how to use the toilet. To do this, they’ll need to know how to understand instructions and follow them. They’ll also need to know how to sit or stand comfortably, and how to pull down their undies and pull them back up again.   
3. Last but not least, once your toddler has bladder and bowel control, and understand how to use the toilet, theymust be excited and ready to use it! Toilet training troubles arise when toddlers don’t want to use the toilet, so it’s important to remember your little one will be ready when the time is right. 

Designed to help make toilet training easier

At Modibodi, we believe in supporting all bodies, no matter what stage of life. One of the simplest ways to support your toddler e transition from nappies to big kid underwear is to pop them into our Reusable Toddler Day-Time Training Pants. Designed to catch any leaks that might make life uncomfy for your little one, it’s never been easier to make them feel comfortable in their bodies.