It may sound like an odd reply, but the best time to start potty training is when your child shows he is ready! This will be different for each child, but in general this is highly unlikely to be before about 18 months, and probably more like 2 ½ years. Children need to be able to control the muscles to the bladder and before 18 months they really can’t do this. The things to look out for in deciding about “readiness” are: • Does he show somehow that he knows his nappy is wet or dirty –maybe by grunting or pointing. • Does he know when he is actually doing a wee or bowel movement, and maybe tells you this is happening? • Can he tell you before it happens that he needs to go, and with enough time to get on the potty before letting go? (This stage is usually 2 ½ -3 years- old). It is also useful if he can pull up and down his own clothes, though you can certainly start while you still have to do this for him. There is an old saying that the later you start potty training, the less time it takes, and this is probably true. If you start very early, all the maturing and skills learning will still need to happen. Sometimes starting later means it can be achieved very quickly, though this isn’t always the case. Remember too that it will take a lot longer to be dry at night, and that boys are usually a little bit later than girls in being fully trained. The average age for day and night time dryness is just before 3 years in girls and 3 years 3 months in boys –but remember these are averages. Quite a few children have still not reached this stage by 4 years. Most importantly, remember it is not a race! Don’t listen to other parents who boast how early their children were trained. Your child does it when he/she is ready, not when parents are!

hi there, how old is ur lil 1. ur lil one will usually let u know wen they are ready, this is usually around 2 but every1 is diferent, i personally wouldnt use nappies as these r just like napies, but this of course is up 2 u, start by sitting ur lil 1 on the potty at each nappy change 4 a wek or so, then go straight in2 pants. leave ur lil 1 2 run around with no bottoms on and offer the potty every 20 mins until ur lil 1 knows wot they r doing and then they will eventually ask 4 a wee. number 2s can generaly be harder 2 establish and this may take longer. dnt forget 2 make lots of fuss wen ur ilil 1 uses the potty, ie. lots of praise and encouragements, claping etc. if ur child is not interestsed then dnt push the issue. like everything else they will do it wen they r ready. good luck. hope this helps and let me know how it goes

Hi, when you read books/magazines they tell you between 18-24 months, but I think the best time is when they can tell you they want a wee wee or a poo poo. I potty trained my son when he was about 2 we brought him a cheap potty and sat him on it (with his nappy on) so he got used to it then took it bit by bit he will soon want to use it all the time and maybe want to be like mummy & daddy and go to the big toilet before long. But all children are different some take to it straight away others can take ages it depends on the child. Hope this helps.

When is the best time to start potty training and how do i start?