Signs toddler is ready to potty train. As parents, we may be ready to start potty training our toddler before our toddler is ready.
Of course, it would be nice to not have to change 10 diapers a day and not have to buy 2 boxes of diapers a week. But if your toddler is not ready then you will not have a potty trained babe.
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Starting potty training before your toddler is ready could make for a frustrating experience. With our first, we were pushing him to potty train before he was ready and we ended up discouraged.
We stopped for awhile and let him tell us when he was ready, with a little coaching every now and then. So, with my second we will let him tell us when he is ready to potty train.
Every toddler is different but there are some signs they show that they may be ready. Here are the 8 signs your toddler is ready to potty train.
If your toddler shows the signs listed below then check out this post on potty training techniques.
Your toddler shows interest
Your toddler should show signs of interest or curiosity. They want to sit on the potty or wonder what you are doing in the bathroom. There are plenty of books that can also help to spark their interest. This book might be a good choice.
They know when they go
Your toddler will know when they go to the bathroom. If they are hiding behind a chair or going into another room to do their business, that’s a sign they know what they are doing.
They do not like being in a dirty diaper
Your toddler will know when they go and not like to sit or walk around in their dirty diaper. They will either start to cry or whine or be able to tell you that they need their diaper changed.
Your toddler can stay dry
Your toddler will be able to stay dry for longer periods of time. It shows that they are able to hold their bladder for longer and that is important during potty training. If your toddler can stay dry for two or more hours they are ready.
They show their independence
Your toddler will want to start doing things on their own. Once they start saying “I can do it myself” they are probably ready.
They can sit still
Your toddler should be able to sit still without moving around. Using the potty, especially number two, will take some patience. They will need to be able to sit on the potty without being distracted by their surroundings.
They can pull their pants up and down
Your toddler should be able to pull their pants down so they are able to sit on the potty. Then, when they are finished be able to pull their pants back up. This is a great skill to learn even before potty training. Practicing while getting dressed might be helpful when it comes time to potty train.
They can follow directions
There are many steps involved when going to the bathroom. Turning on the light, pulling undies and pants down, sitting on the potty, doing their business, wiping, pulling pants back up, and washing their hands. They need to be able to understand these directions beforehand. This is another technique to practice beforehand, so they will be prepared to listen while potty training.
Please keep in mind that your toddler may show some of these signs and still not be ready to potty train. Also, you may start potty training and things may not go as planned. It is ok to take a step back and try again later.
I hope you found something useful to help your little one to become potty trained. Signs toddler is ready to potty train.
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41 Comments
Amber Myers
My kids were so stubborn on potty training. I thought they’d be the only kids in college with pull ups. They eventually got it, but ugh, that wasn’t fun.
Julia Hess
Haha my first was super stubborn also especially with number two. But luckily he got it before he turned 3 so I was happy. Potty training isn’t fun, it’s frustrating for everyone.
Tara Pittman
Of my five kids only one wanted to potty train. The rest were happy to stay in diapers.
Julia Hess
Oh no, isn’t it funny how they are all different and have their own plan? I hope my second makes potty training a little easier especially because he sees his older brother going on the potty.
Maria Koss
I am not a parent, but witnessed from friends how hard it can be teaching toddlers 🙂 Good tips!
Julia Hess
Thank you! I hope it helps someone with their experience.
Melissa Corbin
this was so helpful, my little boy will be 2 soon and needed these tips to make it easier thank you.
Julia Hess
Yea I have a little guy who will be 2 by the end of the year and is starting to show some signs. Thank you.
WorldInEyes
Great tips here…Thanks indeed for sharing these..found this blog post very useful and helpful indeed..glad you shared this with us…
Julia Hess
Thank you so much!
Cristina
I am going through it now with my son. He hasn’t got all the signs but we are forced by circumstances to potty train. Great tips here.
Julia Hess
Aww I hope he gets it soon! Thank you.
Sonia
I so need this RIGHT NOW. My youngest is showing many of these signs. Now to encourage him to sit a bit more. Thank you.
Julia Hess
Sames! My youngest likes to sit on the potty but not quite sure what to do on it lol.
Beth Ann
Potty training! The bane of my existence!
We cloth diapered, so I never worried much about how much diapers cost, or running out. I’ve had three go through the potty training pipeline, and I tell ya, I thought I was a professional when my third was ready to potty train. It turns out I had no idea what I was doing, and he was extra eager to poop his pants for the rest of time.
Potty training is like beginner’s guide to learning how to be patient as a parent. hahahaha
Julia Hess
Oh I wish I had gotten into cloth diapering! They have come such a long way with that. Yep, my three year old peed on the floor today because he held it too long and didn’t make it to the bathroom in time.
Frances
My daughter is 15 months old and I know we will be going down this road soon enough. She tries to be so independent already. Very strong willed she is! I have experienced a lot these signs while potty training my twins boys who are 5 now. Thanks for sharing!
Julia Hess
Yep that’s our youngest. He is super independent, needs to feed himself and do things. Thank you.
Eraina Ferguson
Yesss, one of my little ones is delayed with potty training and I totally agree. These are great tips.
Julia Hess
Yea they all get there eventually. No one goes to college not being potty trained.
Shelby
Great read! I am currently in the beginning stages of potty training my twin toddlers, and finding that one of them is showing signs but the other is not. It will be an interesting transition!
Julia Hess
Oh my goodness!! Best of luck to you! Maybe if one gets it then the other will want to follow.
Ashley Youngs
This is really good stuff! We are about to be ready with our daughter, thanks for sharing!
Julia Hess
Thank you!
Stephanie
These are all great tips! My daughter started showing interest early at like 18 months but she couldn’t tell us when she had to go so we stopped and waited until she was about 2 1/2 to really start training. Once she started telling me before she went vs after she went we started training and she’s done great! Still working on #2 but she stays in underwear all day and does great!
Julia Hess
Aww that’s wonderful! Yea my oldest struggled with number 2 also but eventually one day it just all clicked.
Mariah French
This is so useful! My son just turned two so I’m waiting to see when he becomes ready to start potty training. Thanks for the help!
Julia Hess
Yea it really is on their own terms. I hope it goes well for you! Thank you.
Destiny
According to this blog my son is ready to potty train. I am so not ready though. We use cloth diapers and I’m not emotionally ready to start this process. When I am ready, this tips will be so helpful!
Julia Hess
Aww I guess I should say you both should be ready. I completely understand the emotional aspect, means your baby is growing up. I hope the tips help and you have a smooth potty training experience. Thank you.
Gillian
All great points. We have to remember that each one of our children are unique individuals and a different approach is needed for each one!
Julia Hess
Yes exactly! This is so true. My second is completely different than my first. If something doesn’t work for one it might work for the other. Such wonderful advice. Thank you.
Rachel
After potty training 3 kids I have to say these tips are SPOT ON!
Julia Hess
Wow you go girl!!
Jen Walker
Both my boys were slower to potty train than I would have liked, but I still waited until they were ready. Now if only I could get them potty trained at night!
Julia Hess
Aww it will come! I noticed with my oldest we had to cut liquids after dinner.
Heather Empkey
These are some great tips on what to look for to tell if your toddler is ready to potty train. My son is 18 months old and I’ve been reading up on what to look for and how to tell when he’s ready to start potty training so this was great information.
Julia Hess
Yea our youngest will be 2 in October and is showing some interest. But we will take our time and let him figure it out.
Meghan
I potty trained 6 children! The first I had no idea what I was doing, then someone recommended the “potty training in a day” method. The last five were all day trained at 18 months! Swear by it! Night time has taken longer of course, but man was I happy to say good-by to diapers!
Julia Hess
Oh wow, that’s amazing! Good for you, diapers are so pricey it’s crazy.
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