When is the best time to start potty learning?

Knowing when to start the process of potty learning (also called potty training) can be tricky—and there’s no shortage of opinions on the subject 🙃 Ultimately, the best timing depends on your child and your family.

Learning how to use the toilet requires a whole range of skills, and your toddler’s age on its own won’t tell you much about their readiness, child development experts agree. Whenever you decide to begin, be prepared for some false starts, accidents, and regressions. Having realistic expectations will take pressure off you and your toddler. 

How will you know your child is ready?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends watching your child for signs that they’re physically, mentally, and emotionally prepared to use a potty. Of course, those signs may be difficult to spot and can differ from child to child. Most children start displaying these cues between 18 and 36 months—a big range.

Your toddler may be ready to start learning to use the toilet if they do a few of the following:

• Hide or want privacy when peeing or pooping 
• Regularly go two hours or more without a wet diaper
• Alert you to a soiled diaper and want to be changed right away
• Show interest when you go to the bathroom and flush the toilet
• Has some of the physical skills they need to use a toilet, such as walking, pulling their pants up and down, and getting on and off the potty with some support

If your toddler is showing some of these signs, a good way to start is by incorporating a few low-key times during the day to sit on the potty, like after breakfast and after a nap, says Gabrielle Felman, Lovevery’s senior child development expert.