Toilet Training
Toilet Training (Potty Training)
Toilet training is an important developmental milestone, and it looks different for every child. Learning to use the toilet is a process, not a race. With patience, encouragement, and the right support, most children succeed when they are developmentally ready.
When Is a Child Ready for Toilet Training?
Readiness is based on development, not age. Signs that a child may be ready include:
- Staying dry for longer periods of time
- Showing interest in the toilet or wearing underwear
- Being able to follow simple instructions
- Communicating the need to use the bathroom
- Discomfort with dirty diapers
Areas of Development
Milestones are often grouped into four main areas:
- Gross motor skills (sitting, crawling, walking, running)
- Fine motor skills (grasping objects, drawing, using utensils)
- Language and communication (sounds, words, understanding)
- Social and emotional development (play, interaction, emotional regulation)
Most children show readiness sometime between ages 2 and 3, but this varies widely.
How to Get Started
Helpful steps to begin toilet training include:
- Choose a calm time without major life changes
- Use a child-sized potty or a toilet seat with foot support
- Encourage regular toilet sits, especially after meals
- Praise effort, not just success
- Keep the experience positive and pressure-free
Common Challenges
It’s normal to encounter bumps along the way, such as:
- Accidents during the learning process
- Resistance or refusal to use the toilet
- Fear of the toilet or flushing sounds
- Regression after illness, travel, or routine changes
- Constipation or stool withholding
What You Can Do at Home
Support your child by:
- Staying calm during accidents
- Avoiding punishment or pressure
- Encouraging regular bathroom routines
- Addressing constipation early
- Keeping communication open and supportive
When to Call Us
Call our office if your child has:
- Ongoing struggles despite consistent efforts
- Painful bowel movements or stool withholding
- Frequent accidents after previous success
- Constipation interfering with toilet training
- Toilet training concerns causing significant stress
📞 Call (816) 792-1170 and select option 3 to reach nurse triage.
When to Seek Urgent or Emergency Care
Seek urgent or emergency care if your child has:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Vomiting associated with constipation
- Blood in the stool
- Signs of dehydration
- Sudden changes in bowel or bladder control
How We Support Toilet Training
Your provider can help assess readiness, identify contributing factors such as constipation, and provide practical strategies tailored to your child. Our goal is to support confidence, comfort, and long-term success.
Long-Term Success Tips
- Focus on progress, not perfection
- Maintain routines and consistency
- Celebrate small wins
- Remember that setbacks are common and temporary
Schedule an Appointment
If you have questions or concerns about toilet training, we’re here to help.
Request an Appointment through our online form, or call our nurse triage line for guidance.
