You might see signs that your child is ready for toilet training from about 2 years on. Some children show signs of being ready as early as 18 months and some might be older than 2 years.
It might be time for toilet training if your child:
*Is walking and can sit for short periods of time
*is generally more independent, including saying ‘no’ more often
*is interested in watching others go to the toilet
*has dry nappies for 2 or more hours
*tells you with words or gestures when they do a poo or wee in their nappy
*begins to dislike wearing a nappy, perhaps trying to pull it off when it’s wet or soiled
*has regular, soft, formed bowel movements
*can pull their pants up or down
*can follow simple instructions like ‘give the ball to daddy’
Not all these signs need to be present when your child is ready. A general trend will let you know when it’s time to start.
Try and make toileting apart of your child’s daily routine. For example, encourage your child to use the potty or toilet first thing in the morning, before or after meals, before going to sleep and before bedtime.
Not all children are the same. It takes patience and consistency to be successful. In time all of this will be rewarded with a toilet trained child!