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Potty training in 3 days is what we have done with all four of our kids (three boys & a little girl). Potty training a toddler can seem harder than it actually is, so I want to shed some light on why it is easier and quicker than most people assume. It is very possible to potty train quickly and to even potty train in a weekend!
I always start by picking a 3-day span and then I go for it and we Potty Train in a Weekend. Weekend potty training works so well, so today I’ll share how you can get started, and I’ll answer some of the most common questions I hear about toilet training.
Update: This post about Potty Training in three days has recently been updated and republished with new information. I hope it is helpful.
Potty Training in 3 Days is not a new method
While 3-day potty training is not new, it has become something of the past.
- In fact, in the 1930s, most parents started potty training babies at 6 months old.
- By the 1950s, 95% of children were trained to use the toilet by 18 months and it takes American children nearly twice as long too complete toilet training now as it did in the 1950s.
- Today, only 10% are today toilet trained early and quickly.
Potty Training in 3 Days is not stressful
Our society makes toilet training quickly seem complex like it is too much to take on in the modern world that we live in, but the truth is that fast potty training does not have to be complicated all.
It isn’t stressful or forceful. It is a simple, positive experience that is very effective when done correctly.
The potty seat in the picture above is in the top 3 on my potty training comparison chart. It’s my favorite. Here is our affiliate link to find it.
How Does Potty Training in 3 Days Work?
The 3-day potty training weekend method is what worked for our family (and for thousands of others).
- It is effective
- It is positive
- It is quick
- It is all about focus and consistency
- It is a way to connect with your child so your child enjoys the process of learning.
This method, which is described in detail in my Potty Train in a Weekend book, was passed onto me from my Grandma (she taught her four children this way and her mother taught her that way).
When I was getting ready to potty train our first son, she told me exactly what to do. Because it isn’t “modern”, I didn’t have any friends training their kids this way, so I relied solely on her advice and my instincts.
My 3-day Potty Training Weekend Experience:
- I listened to my grandma’s advice. I tweaked it. I planned for it. I tried it. It worked.
- I shared my method with local parenting groups. It worked.
- I shared my method with friends & family. It worked.
- I wrote a potty training book about it to share it with the world. It worked.
The potty training methods that I did not use:
- I did not wait until my kids are self-potty trained.
- I did not give out rewards. They were self-motivated.
- I did not punish them for having accidents. I was firm but positive.
- I did not wait for them to be able to talk before I began potty training.
Can You Really Potty Train in 3 Days?
Yes! 3-day toilet training is often clouded with negative talk of how hard it will be or how you are forcing your child, but that is the case… at all. In fact, I found it to be extremely positive, effective and my children loved our weekend of potty training. It was just us, working on a goal together.
There is so much talk of “waiting until the child is ready to start”, but just like anything, we need to guide our children. Think of breastfeeding with a baby or teaching a toddler to eat: it is natural, but it is often very difficult and we need to guide our babies to understand how to do these things.
Potty training is similar.
We need to guide our children to learn how to use the potty. We can either let the child take the lead, or we can research the many potty training methods and teach our child. We have found that taking a long weekend or a 3 day time frame works best for our family.
I suggest reading Potty Train in a Weekend before you start potty training.
The book teaches you how to help your child go diaper-free without resorting to the pull-ups (disposable training pants), M&Ms, reward charts or any sort of rewards. Because I know that everyone can do early potty training with their child (and quickly!) when given the right method.
This is a method that naturally and gently, yet firmly teaches your child to go diaper-free and stay dry without rewards in 3 days. It is so fun to watch a child who pees in the potty chair and understands why this is a great thing. To watch a child have bowel movements in the toilet and cheer for himself.
About the Potty Train in a Weekend book:
I wrote the book Potty Train in a Weekend after I potty trained my first three children, my niece & nephew and many other children (my friends’ kids, my clients, etc…). After writing the book I potty trained our fourth child, our daughter.
I updated the book several times to answer questions and I also included a chapter on potty training a child with a disability. This chapter comes from experience working with my clients during play therapy.
♡ The book was written by me.
♡ It’s not fancy. It’s not filled with fluff.
It is to the point and it is direct. I want you to get the most of reading it. (I know you are busy!!)
♡ I am a mom. I wrote this book, as a mother, for other parents, grandparents, and caregivers. Yes, I am a child development therapist, a teacher and I have a certification in play therapy for early childhood, but I gathered the most experience from simply training my own children and others.
♡ I created a Facebook Group for readers of this book. It is a private group on Facebook dedicated to helping each other. We ask questions, give answers, share stories & laugh together in this group. Everyone helps each other and no one is judging anyone because we are all in it together.
♡ This book was a best-seller on Amazon, which brought such joy to my heart to know that I was helping others.
♡ I do not claim to be the leading expert. I do not claim to have a book that will magically solve any childhood issue. I do not claim to have written a book without editing mistakes (in fact, when I wrote the book, I had just started this website, so I just asked friends & family to help me by reading it over & correcting my mistakes). It was just a way to share our story, steps & method with the world.
♡ I hope that you have the same success as so many others that have written and shared their success stories with me. It makes me so happy to know that I can reduce stress because honestly, potty training does not have to be stressful. It is a fun weekend with your child (or children) and it can be a great memory for everyone involved.
♡ You can find Potty Train in a Weekend here
How do I toilet train a toddler in three days?
As I said above, 3 day potty training isn’t the most popular choice anymore.
The delay of training is thanks to the invention of disposable diapers and diaper companies pushing diapers for as long as they can through marketing, commercials, and ads. It also lost popularity when Dr. Spock told parents to “Let the child tell you when they are ready”.
I’m here to tell you it really can work. Boys and girls everywhere are potty training successfully with this method.
Here is how I helped my children potty train in 3 days:
- I started them after 18 months (the golden window is 18-23 months, but using this method, any age works).
- I looked for readiness signs and I found a weekend when I was going to be ready to start.
- I cheered for them and praised them when they do well, but I was firm, as well.
- I trained them in three days.
- I went into it knowing that regression will probably happen and I came up with a solution.
- I understood the hurdles (like when a child uses the “day potty” but not the “nighttime potty” or when they pee but won’t poop. I have figured out how to overcome them easily.
- I helped our children to be proud of themselves, and excited to be out of diapers. They were eager to learn!
- I gave them opportunities to get excited about using the potty, by giving them coloring sheets and books.
- You can download this coloring book for free. This is a 13-page coloring book that I made. You are welcome to it for free.
Can you potty train in less than 3 days? What about potty training in 2 days?
While I tell my readers to allow three full days, I have potty trained several of my children in less time.
- One of our children was completely potty trained in the day by the end of Day one and also potty trained at night by the end of day three.
- My nephew was potty trained this was in two days.
- My neighbor was potty trained (by me) in one day.
So, yes, it is possible. It isn’t always the norm, but it is very possible that your 3-day potty training method might work quicker than 3 days.
How long does it take to be fully potty trained?
For a child to be fully potty trained, without any accidents, I would give it between 3-7 days, because every child is different.
Most children will have an accident here or there during the first week, as it is a newly developed skill.
Setbacks, along with accidents, are a normal part of development.
Potty training is not an exception to the rule.
However, based on the research that most children take 3-6 months to potty train when not using the Potty Train in a Weekend method, I am always excited at the thought of being done with potty training by this time next week.
You can say bye bye to diapers right away, but you will still need to remind your child to go to the bathroom often. While training, we have our kids go often when we are home or if we are getting ready to go somewhere (even big kids need to be reminded before leaving the house), and we take them to public restrooms if we are gone for more than an hour.
What Do You Need Before You Potty Train Your Child?
- A clock (to keep track of when to take your child to the bathroom)
- Cleaning supplies (for that first day)
- A training toilet (free comparison chart available with the purchase of the book)
- Patience
- Underwear (I will tell you the specific ones that I use).
- Baby Leggings (look at the bottom of the post for this tip!)
- Books or coloring books to keep in the bathroom.
- I suggest this 13-page coloring book. It is free for a limited time.
- Potty Train in a Weekend book with a break-down of EXACTLY what to do.
When Should I Potty Train My Child?
I started potty training my children after 18 months. This is the age when healthy children become ready physically and emotionally.
The golden window is 18-23 months.
This is the easiest age to potty train your child because they are old enough to understand, but young enough not to be stubborn or set in their own ways just yet. With that being said, when you use the 3-day potty train in a weekend method, you can potty train your child at any age with success.
What are the signs that your toddler is ready to potty train?
There are certain signs that your child is ready to be potty trained. I’ve listed several below, but more often than not… the question is: are YOU ready to potty train your child? Are you ready to walk step by step with your child to meet this next milestone: Potty Trained Toddler.
- Pulling at a wet diaper
- Pretending to go to the bathroom
- Pretending to wipe
- Interested in body parts
- Having a dry diaper for more than an hour
- Interested in watching others use the bathroom
- Wanting to flush the toilet
- Interested in toilets
How Do I Toilet Train a Boy in 3 Days?
Q: Is it easier to potty train boys or girls?
A: Research (and experience) shows that potty training your son can be easier than potty training your daughter.
I know that people say it is easier to potty train a girl, but in my experience & based on the research that I’ve done, boys were just as easy (some were easier) to potty train than the girls. I teach them to use the potty sitting down, just like I would for a girl. Eventually, we will transition to standing, but first, we just want them to master the skill of emptying their bladder into the toilet.
I have an entire post about how to potty train boys, as well as why I think girls may actually be harder to potty train than boys.
What Age Should a Child be Dry Through the Night?
Nighttime potty training is completely different than daytime potty training. While it is possible and several of my children were nighttime trained by the end of our weekend of potty training, I remind parents not to stress over nighttime training.
As a child development therapist, I have talked to many doctors and experts in this area and I know that it is not uncommon for children to have accidents at night years after they have been trained during the day.
There is such a wide range of ages when it comes to bedwetting.
While many children are toilet trained between 18 months – four years of age, they are not able to stay dry until years later.
In fact…
- 15% of six-year-old children wet the bed nightly.
- Around 5% of children will still wet the bed at the age of 10-12.
- 2% of adults wet the bed, so don’t stress about your child wetting the bed just yet. Plus – you just might be the one to blame for it (it’s hereditary)!
It is well known that if mom or dad was a bedwetter, there is a very high chance that the child will be, as well.
Other factors include low levels of the hormone that regulates the production of urine at night (called Vasopressin), a small bladder or if your child is a very deep sleeper.
How Do I Get My Toddler to Pee in the Potty?
Check out these helpful Potty Training Resources that will get you started:
- Potty Train in a Weekend ebook
- A potty Training Coloring book (free)
- Potty Training Toilet Comparison Chart (free)
More About the Potty Train in a Weekend Book:
As I mentioned previously, I wrote the book after I potty trained my first three children and other’s children. It’s been updated several times and contains a direct and to the point instructions.
About me (the author of the book)
- I am a child development therapist
- I am an elementary & early education teacher
- I am a mom of four
- I hope that you have the same success as so many others that have written and shared their success stories with me. It makes me so happy to know that I can reduce stress because honestly, potty training does not have to be stressful. It is a fun weekend with your child (or children) and it can be a great memory for everyone involved.
You can find Potty Train in a Weekend here
There is also a paperback version of Potty Train in a Weekend available on Amazon, but as I said earlier, I can’t help you with your order if it is done through Amazon (they take care of all of it).
If you order the Potty Train in a Weekend ebook from me directly with this link, I can help you with any issues that you have along the way. Just e-mail me at becky@yourmodernfamily.com and I’ll be glad to help you. ♡
Ps- A Helpful tip that I forgot to mention: I use these BabyLeggings when I potty train! I can keep them naked, but warm. (If you go to BabyLeggings and use the promo code YMF5, you will get them for FREE!)
Great tips! My 2 older boys were very receptive when they were young. My eldest learned the very first day cause he hated being wet. My second son was great during the day but he had issues at night. They are now both 20 and 19. I now have a 19 mth old daughter who is exceptionally resistant to the potty chair. She puts her dolls on it, the cat on it, she even sits on it but when I see she’s having a bowel movement and tell her let’s go to the potty chair she says “no” and runs the other way. I’m going to try your tips and we shall see how this stubborn little girl likes getting wet! I often remind younger mothers, “This too shall pass.” I haven’t met anyone that entered into the school system that hadn’t figured out the potty by then. Good luck everyone else 🙂
Oh my goodness- that’s just what my Mom says when I say “I’m worried about _____” she says.. “This, too, shall pass. You’re ____ now, so it will happen!” 🙂 haha! I need to do a post on that! 😉
I am 20 years old and a first time mom, my son will be 15 months on march 14 he takes off his diapers when he’s too full. Even when he’s dry. I’m not sure if I should start potty training or not. He’s very stubborn and doesn’t focus on anything. Do you have any advice for me? An email response would be greatly appreciated. ( mmatos93@aol.com )
Yes, hello! My name is Tammy. Our daughter Reagan is just now 17 months. She has been doing the same thing as this young ladies child. Now she will sit on her potty but she waits to get up pull her panties up or run off to then proceed to potty her panties. Instead of the potty chair. We’ve been working on this all week. She’s been early with everything else but this? Is she too early? I need help! What should we do?
Did you get a reply about this? I’m in the same boat
I have a 3 year old Grandaughter that is not potty trained. I don’t understand why mothers wait so long and have such a hard time with potty training. All 3 of my children were trained by 12 months. I just did what my mother did with her 6 children. I took my babies with me every time I went to the bathroom. After a while they were very curious about the whole thing. I explained to them that the toilet is where people are supposed go peepee and poop. Of course children want to copy everything you do. They actually potty trained themselves. After they would poop in their diaper we would take the diaper to the potty and shake the poop off the diaper and let them flush. All three of them, 2 boys and a girl were completely trained before their first birthdays, it was so easy I can’t figure out why it’s so hard for people now days. My daughter in law acts like it’s no big deal. I hate changing a three year olds diaper. It is not baby poo any more and it’s gross.
We’re starting into the potty training stage with our little guy. What I’ve noticed with most new, younger, parents is that most don’t make or take time and others unsure of what and how to do it. My mother essentially taught me nothing about being a parent, so this is all new territory to me.
Great for you that you were able to train you kids that young. Sincerely – that’s awesome.
But ugh – please cut your daughter-in-law some slack..! I don’t know the situation, but maybe she has been trying; maybe she doesn’t enjoy changing diapers any more than you do… It isn’t all about you and you thinking that your granddaughter’s poop is “gross.” She’s your granddaughter and as a mom of 3 yourself, you should be able to deal with poop without complaining about it.
I’m a first-hand mom of a now one-year-old and motherhood isn’t easy for anyone. My daughter’s grandmother made a comment about the cleanliness of part of our living space during her last visit and I wanted to tell her,”I’m, sorry I haven’t had time to keep the place immaculate – I’ve kind of been busy RAISING YOUR GRANDDAUGHTER on top of my full-time job.” Getting myself ready in the morning while tending to her, then getting her ready – I’m exhausted before I even head out the door to start my work day! I’m always tired at the end of the day and NEVER have time for myself. I of course am happy to be raising my daughter despite the sacrifice that it sometimes entails but for goodness sake – MOMS DON’T NEED CRITICISM, they need SUPPORT.
Since you make it sound like it was super-easy to potty train your kids, have you even OFFERED to try it with your granddaughter????
Please give your daughter-in-law more credit for the million other things she does rather than criticize her over potty-training. The world needs more women who support each other.
Wow, awesome response,well said!
Oh my gosh, GREAT response! Thank you for that L. My situation is identical – working full time, a first time mom to a now 2 year old, and so exhausted in the evening that my house goes practically untouched. I share your stresses. Everyone’s situation is always different from someone else. That should be respected and other moms should offer support, like you said.
Very well put!! Motherhood is exhausting! I have twin 2 year olds and a 3 year old turning 4 in a few months. I barely have time to eat let alone clean my house. My kids are my first priority and if they’re happy and healthy then I’m on cloud 9.
This mom likely has enough to worry about. I’d feel awful thinking she’d have to worry about her MIL criticizing her about cleaning. I’m lucky to have a very supportive family and hope all moms out there are appreciated and supported in some way or another. My in laws are the least critical people in the world but I still worry about making them happy because that’s my personality. God forbid they DID criticize as I’d probably want to jump off a bridge.
Thanks for that response!
I know right . people are always quick to criticize people but never there to help the person. if you see me struggling with potty training why don’t you give me your experience as a grandmother and how you train me instead of criticizing me and talking about me my in-laws talk about how my house is disorganized and it don’t look like a showcase like there’s if I try to make my house a showcase my kids will be miserable it’s easy to keep your house spotless when you don’t have children
You’re awesome! I also have a mother in law that criticizes every move and makes me feel guilty or lazy or such, I often say that women in their generation were wired differently then ours.. she come from Europe almost 50 years ago and raised 4 boys. I have 2 boys, 3&5. My 5 yr old still wants to sleep in a diaper… my 3 yr old just starting to be interested in going to the bathroom, got lucky with him because the ladies from day care helped, I’m so scared not to make the same mistakes with my second one since I feel that I pressured my first. I agree with everything you said so thank you for that and for being honest. ❤️
I have a 5 year old. I’ve tried to potty train him for 4 years. I have no support. I’ve tried everything. I’m disabled. My child is extremely smart. Just isn’t interested in the potty. I’m so ready to be done with diapers. My Mom complains about changing his diapers. Therefore I don’t take him over there anymore. It’s her grandchild.
My child has Austism. I wonder if that’s why it’s so hard to train him. He can read, write & he wants to be a logo designer/ Doctor.
Well said!!!! It takes a village these days! Us mom’s need to stick together and support one another. Not judge each other or criticize. And when i say Mom’s I mean Grandmothers too! You raised a child……you know what’s it’s like.
Oh god, thank you for this. My 3-year-old isn’t fully potty trained yet. We also have 4-month-old twins and my husband and I both work (him in the day, me in the evening.) It is HARD to do any of this stuff. This judgy grandma can take a seat. HER generation has made it so that OUR generation HAS to work as much as possible just to survive. It’s not that we are neglectful parents!
Thank you for that very respectful yet honest response to that grandmother. You said exactly what I was thinking and I’m grateful knowing that its possible I’m not alone. Just wanted to say kudos to you, you did all of us struggling moms a favor with that response. Xoxo
Omg thank you so much for your comment! My son is 3, not potty trained yet but working on it and my youngest is 20 months….we had a very bad potty training day today, that’s why I was reading about it AGAIN!! I work full time as well and exhausted…She made me feel like crap then I read you and feel so much better..thank again
My grandson just turned 4 and he freaks out when i try to put him on the toilet, potty chair or the seat that sits on the toilet.
He will not run around naked, he won’t even leave his pants off.
I am out of ideas, candy, toys, nothing will work.
My own children were trained by 2.5 years, suggestions any one.
sharine373@gmail.com
Amen
This was an awful response. You do understand a grandmother is a mother, right?
Way to make excuses.
Maybe you should have actually purchased this guide and tried it instead of whining about how hard motherhood is. You’re not the only woman that works full time whilst trying to raise a child.
Maybe, when multiple mothers from older generations tell you something, you should open your mind a little and consider that they may know a thing or two about children.
Cleaning poop from a 3 year olds diaper is nasty. If there’s a way to avoid that, I’ll explore it.
I will buy this product.
She is right, we need more women out supporting each other but grandma makes valid points 3year old poop is gross no matter how many kids you’ve had. But being a new mom myself -full time parent ,full time job and full time student. You have time to ask for help with potty training or do it yourself. It’s stressful (in some people case) but rewarding for u and baby. You just gotta figure out how to find that time. What I’m saying is no matter how busy u are you find time to do necessary things for your child even if it’s asking granny-in law to help potty training if you don’t have the time or if you’re tired of her complaining.
Yes!!! Women of s certain age/era simply do not understand what working ( out of the home) mothers entail. They get so judgmental of an “untidy” house because their generation primarily stayed at home and were homemakers. By the way, I’m home now with our three year old, but completely understand and respect both working moms and stay at homes. Both deserve respect, both are hard, both sacrifice. Just because some babies are ready at a year ( not common at all) does not mean it’s how every child developmentally will be. Most pre-school teachers will tell you that once the toddlers are around kids their age abscond they’re encouraged to use the potty they do so so much more quickly. They learn when they’re ready!
Yes motherhood is the hardest job we have as mothers. But I don’t understand what changes in women? My sister has 7 children (all 14-18 months apart). Her house is always spotless, she went to college and became an RN. Even back in the day it was harder for women than now. They had to take care of kids, house, cook, and keep a garden. And everyone managed. And back then people had more children. Now if someone has 1-2 kids it’s very surprising. And I agree we should support each other as mothers because it’s hard, but I believe if you manage your schedule and time well you could do anything. And it’s ok to have lazy days.
My child is 3 and is just now potty trained. He has autism. That’s why it is so hard.
I completely agree. As a play therapist, I often run into this and it does make it more difficult. I actually added a chapter on my book about potty training a child with special needs.
Becky, ,I have a five year old who will not potty train. She like to be as contrary as possible, so I’m sure this is why. We tried hard over the summer, trying everything to get her to sit for a short length of time on the potty. Nothing happened, so after I was worn out, I put her back in a diaper and she peed within three minutes. She is special needs, having many delays, and does not talk yet, but can communicate using signs and noises. If there is anything you can offer me to help I would really appreciate it!
Did you try the book? I have a chapter on special needs.
ps- I would come up with a sign that means potty. That’s what I did with a few of my special needs clients and it helped.
Feel free to come potty train my son then if it’s so easy. My son had no desire to go in his potty. We have tried many methods. I am super stressed about it and it doesn’t help reading comments like this. Every child is different. My pediatrician told me not to potty train until my son was three.
YES! Completely agree!
I don’t know your situation, but I hear a lot of women my mother and grandmothers age talk about how easy it was and don’t understand why I’m struggling. I can’t help but think it may have been easier because they worked as stay at home moms and could keep on top of it. It’s hard when you aren’t around during the majority of their day. That’s why I am super interested in this “do it in a weekend” plan. 🙂
Thanks for your thoughts / tips Valerie. Strange enough, I’ve been taking my baby to the bathroom with me when he was much smaller than now (18 months now). Plus he always sees me using the toilet atleast once everyday – when I shower. So He knows how it must be done very well. And when his poop consistency changed, we began shaking off his poop into the toilet and flushing it while he watched. He thinks it is interesting. I don’t know how it will go, but I began potty training today because He actually rushed to the toilet this morning because he wanted to pee. He still had his nappy on and I just told him to tell me before he peed – inorder to slowly push him towards potty training someday. It has been a while since he has begun secretly taking off his diaper right after pooping. I guess it is all the signs of readiness that matters at the end. Not the age. We adults need to make potty interesting before attempting to train at all. I’m a stay at home mom btw. I can’t imagine a working mom doing the work I did today although we were successful 90% of the time today. It is so exhausting!
Hey Valery, I’m actually super curious about the way you taught your children. The other day my husband’s aunt said casually that her eldest son was out of diapers by 11 months and I never knew it was even possible! Every mom I know doesnt even start until at least 2 years old. I think that disposable diapers has a lot to do with it. Did your children stop using diapers at night as well? Or does that take more time?
Hi! My son is 18 months and I want to see if he is ready to potty train. Where can I find your book and how much does it cost? Thank you! I was really dreading potty training but now I’m getting excited!
This is do funny, my mom would always say,”this to shall pass” I miss her every day…
I have tried everything with my son he refuses to poop in the pottie and he is now 5 years old and now my almost 3year old is following him….I am so lost. Can this book still help me
Thanks kristy
Yes! We went through that same thing with our son. 🙂
Any tips? My girl is 3.5 and refuses to poo on the toilet. Cries and cries
I have potty trained many little ones (all boys) and have never been able to do it in 2-3 days.
Great ideas shared.
You made the best mom advice list! http://www.crystalandcomp.com/2013/04/best-mom-advice-42913/
🙂 haha! Thanks, Crystal.
Ack, I needed this so bad! I’m hoping to train my young’un this summer, and everyone (read: My Mother) keeps telling me it’s impossible and she’s too young. But I want her trained by two! I just pinned this so I can follow your advice when the time comes! Thanks!
haha! It can definitely be done and you sound determined, so I’m guessing you’ll have her trained this summer. 🙂 Good luck!
I potty trained my oldest son at 12 months, his brother wasn’t as easy . Of course all children are different. Also just trained my 18 month oks grandson in 3 days only 2 accidents (his momma & daddy took 3 days together & dedicated him all their attention,
That’s awesome!
My little girl is 16 months old and she has problems with urinary tract and kidney infection so I want to get her potty trained as soon as possible but the problem is she takes naps 3 times a day still for 2 hours at a time any suggestions. Thanks amie
I would wait a little longer with her because that is really hard about her urinary tract infection. Maybe ask the doctor around 20 months? My friend’s daughter had the same issues. I’m sorry.
Get her on some children’s probiotics and perhaps small amounts of organic pure cranberry juice in wth her water or juices. Sugar intake perpetuates UTIs so switch to making berry and fruit teas and sweetening naturally with honey or stevia
Kel says
December 22, 2015 at 8:21 am
Get her on some children’s probiotics and perhaps small amounts of organic pure cranberry juice in wth her water or juices. Sugar intake perpetuates UTIs so switch to making berry and fruit teas and sweetening naturally with honey or stevia
If your child is napping that much at that age, she is not getting enough night time sleep!!!
I think every child is different. My nephew sleeps for 10 hours every night, and still naps for 3 hours in the afternoon! He’s almost 3! His brothers were the same 🙂
We wait until they’re ready, ditch nappy pants and go for it… no tears, no stress and remembering not to make them feel bad if they have an accident… it’s all about learning how to do it and being old enough to recognize the signs.
Every child is different and learns these things in different ways and night training is COMPLETELY different to daytime training and is all about the hormone that triggers a reduction in urine production over night and the size of their bladder.
I totally agree with waiting until they are ready and not stressing the child out. Each child is different and I hate seeing a child punished for having an accident with potty training!
Hi i am a grandmother that helping her daughter with her 4 kids. She has a set twin girls that are 17 months and thjnking about potty training. I was wondering if you have any adice in how i can train both of them or do one at a time.
I’ve never trained twins, but if it were me, I’d train them the exact same way that I would train just one child… it would just be more work, but I also think that they would learn quicker together, by watching one another.
This is how I did it with my two at 18 months for my daughter and 16 for my son, it is MUCH easier you said after only two days of any real work! I posted my experiences as well on my blog, but this pretty much covers it (although I was a bit less dramatic with the oh nos and the dancing ;). Thanks for posting! I wish every mommy knew that early is so worth it!
haha!!
I know- just a few days of hard work & its all done. 🙂 I completely agree! Thanks for posting.
Where can I find your blog. I’m going to start working on my 19 month old son. He keeps taking his diapers off, he watches his brother (5) and his dad pee in the potty and for the past few nights he hasn’t been peeing at night in his diaper. He doesn’t let us know when he pees but he does let us know when he poops (after) angel_lowder@yahoo.com
Are you looking for the book? You can find it on Amazon or on my page on the home screen. 🙂
THIS IS AWESOME! Im a few months from doing this and I love that you broke the last day down into a specific time frame for me!
Good luck! I’m so glad that you found it helpful!
So my daughter does great when she is bare bottomed, very few accidents and will pee and poop on her own. But when she has on undies she refuses to go on the potty and will hold it for hours until it she explodes and it goes everywhere. I’m not really sure what her reason is for not wanting to pull down her pants. Any advise on the bare bottom to undies transition?
I had the HARDEST time with our third son with this. I had to extend the naked period to over a week and anytime that we were at home, he was naked for about 3 weeks (really!) He ended up getting it, but none of our other kids did this, so it was a huge hurdle for me, as well. I kept telling him “No.” when he would go in his undies and keep taking him to the potty often & reward him when he does (praise or even a sticker or M&M).
My daughter is potty trained… Naked. (Insert sarcasm) As soon as I put on panties, she inevitably pees or poops in them. We started on Saturday so I had a 3 day weekend, it’s now Thursday. I’m thinking I leave her naked when we are at home and try panties after nap in the afternoon to try to break them in. Anything else I should try? What if I want to leave the house? Just stay home for 3 weeks?
I have heard this more often with girls than boys. I would put her in the thicker training undies if you are going out, (because they will still notice, but maybe AFTER they have a little dribble in their underwear) but leave her naked at home for another week.
Thank you for this post!! We completed day one, and our 24-month-old daughter did great! A few accidents, but a ton of successful potty dances and M&Ms!! We’ve had our potty chair in the living room and have taken it outside when we play out there. Our chair can come apart where the seat can attach onto the actual toilet in the bathroom. When do you recommend transitioning to the big toilet?
I kept ours out until they could use the big toilet unassisted, because when I put it away too soon and wasn’t able to get them to the potty fast enough (if I was busy with another child), there would be an accident. Usually about 2 months, I’d say. 🙂
Good job on day 1! Keep it up! 🙂
I wish I could get my 2yo to sign “potty.” This is our biggest hurdle with her – she doesn’t communicate well enough to tell us she has to go. (Her big sisters were talking a lot more by this age.) She’s been physically ready for months – and will go on the potty when we put her there (before baths, etc.) – she just isn’t all the way at NO diapers yet.
BTW, we’ve found that Huggies Slip-On diapers are GREAT for anyone who’s in-between like this. (My dd was REALLY not a good talker when she was first physically ready, and by the time we thought we might be able to convince her to use SOME method of communication, I was on bed rest and now have a new baby. So potty training has been back-burnered.) The Slip-On diapers are designed to hold the quantity of urine a regular diaper holds, but they’re easy up and down for little ones who are wanting to use the pot some of the time. (This has been especially handy at church, as she will now occasionally indicate she wants to go, and we hated having to lay her on the bathroom floor to get a fresh diaper on her after an attempt. Yuck!)
I assume that your method would not be good to use while nursing a newborn, unless hubby is going to do the potty training?
I always trained before the baby came (when I was about 8 months pregnant), so I don’t have experience with a newborn, but if you can keep an eye on your older one, I’d say you can do it! 🙂 If not, maybe wait a month until the baby is on a consistent schedule so that you will be able to anticipate when you need to take her to use the potty before you nurse.
so I have a question for you; my daughter is almost 19 months old, I have been potty training on and off since she was 6 months old, more of getting her used to the potty vs saying “so long!” to diapers. the first day of this potty training regimen she did GREAT…until daddy came home, then it was accidents the rest of the night. we’re on the latter part of day two and it has been BAD. only like 10% success today. daddy was home all day (as it is the weekend). we did 30 minute intervals for potty breaks, 20 minutes if no potty. she gets an m&m if she uses the potty but today we just weren’t having it. I KNOW she is capable of learning, she’s been giving me signs for weeks. do you have any idea what I may or may not be doing that is causing regression before we even see constant success? i’m going to have to repeat day 2 and hope for better results tomorrow. any input you have would be GREATLY appreciated and thank you for your post!
Hey-
Our third son (I think) did worse on day 2 than day 1. Keep at it. She is probably just excited to see your husband and isn’t thinking about going to the potty. Is he helping? That will make a big difference. Get him on board completely (praising, saying No…)
It might just take an extra day or two, but don’t give up yet. 🙂 Worse case scenario: you give it 2 more days and she doesn’t do any better and you have to wait a few weeks (this happened with our third son).
Keep me posted. I’ll be curious to see how she does.
Facebook me to let me know- http://www.facebook.com/Yourmodernfamily
thank you! we’ll keep at it and hopefully see results!! 🙂
No child can potty train at six months or twelves – most kids are not even ready til they are 2 – we tried training our daughter at 18 months – yeah she did it for a awhile but it is more us being trained to put her on the toilet than her understanding what she needed to do.
Yes that’s right
My 28 month son the same . I started potty training with him but he can’t understand to say i want do pee or poo . Everything depends on me to put him in potty
All 3 of my children and 2 grandchildren were potty trained by the age of 2. I had a potty chair in almost every room of the house and all 5 ran around naked so I could see when they had to go. It can be done but it is time consuming for a few days. I have one more grandson who is 2 and 1/2 who needs to spend a week with me because that is to old to be saying I stink and getting me a pull up.
I potty trained my daughter in two days. When she was 15 months old she would tell me she was wet and wanted a new diaper. That was my clue. So I put the potty chair in the living room in front of the coffee table and put a jar of M&M’s on the coffee table. She love M&M’s. I told her she can have a M&M when she used the potty chair. She want to sit on it all the time, I didn’t have to put her on it. She want her M&M and I told her no pee pee no candy. When she did go I would give her just 2 M&M’s and she was happy. On day two I just put about 8 M&M’s in the bowl and when they were gone there was no more. She never ask for M&M’s after that say just tell me when she had to go. Now this did not work for my son he did not care about getting candy.
That’s good advice on the bowl!
My mom used raisins to train all 5 of us. That’s what I also used with my daughter (who is now 19 months). This is a good option for those who don’t do candy, and my daughter loves raisins every bit as much as any M&M lover.
OH- good idea! Oh- maybe even those yogurt-covered raising (b/c they taste like candy anyways.). Thanks, Joy!
I bought a training potty when my son was only a few months old. he is 15 months right now. It was my plan to start potty training this summer! i can’t wait to try this!
About sitting vs. standing…. i am a preschool teacher and i have encountered MANY MANY boys that are trained to pee in the toilet but still poop in their pants or hold it in to the point where they have to visit the doctor.
If they learn to sit and go pee, sitting to go poop feels natural. 🙂
So i would make these 4 and 5 year old boys sit every time they went pee and with all but 1 it worked! and he was a special case.
Can I use that in my book? Such a great point about sitting for that reason!
I didn’t know about the 3 day potty training back when I was doing the potty training duty. I potty trained my boys sitting down, then once they got used to going I trained them to stand when they had to just pee. It wasn’t hard to do the transition from sitting to standing. They knew they were big boys then!
Use the towel potty training method. My friend joy potty trains her son that way.
My daughter is 4 now and I had her going poop in the potty at 15 months. She still pees in her undies and I have her going potty every 30 to 45 min but she still pees a little in her undies. She does not want to stop what she is doing to potty. I am getting really frustrated with her. I was really sick at the beginning of the year for about 2 months and she has gotten worse. I don’t what to do she does not care that she is wet or that I am upset with her. Advise please.
Our third son did this a bit & we went back to the naked method (what the book is about) and it really helped!! We did it after our baby was born & he regressed. We did this for a few days & he went back to normal. Its almost like potty training all over again when they do this.
At four years old, I think that I would keep doing what you are doing. I would take things away for not using the potty (Tv time, or a special toy). And reward for a dry day. (stay dry today & have ice cream tonight)- since she is old enough to understand.
my daughter is three and will poop in pot but refuses to pee she was trained completly until she got a uti she never ran a fever and didnt have no signs so you may want to have her checked before taking to much away it isvery agravating i know, now i think she is scared its going to burn if she goes to the tolit but never misses it for a poop… i Had no trouble with my son who is now 5 i trained him naked and he went outside to water my plants i never had no trouble even at night knock on wood when he trained it was no more diapers or pull ups period, but now he still thinks he supose to go outside no matter where and let me say it’s not the best thing while pumping gas lol
Good point & that is hilarious about your son!!
If a child is continuously a little wet, it can be a physical problem and requires a urologist.
True. They should be able to stay dry for at least an hour (so says our pediatricion) 🙂
When my daughter was 3 years old and continued to poop in her panties, I got really tired of it, I told her fine, if thats what she wanted to do she could go in and wash them panties out herself, she quit that real quick and realized she could go right back to what she was doing after going potty.
Lacy panties worked for us. My daughter refused to mess up her cute little lacy panties. Super Hero underwear, (Batman and Superman) worked for our son. Peeing in the training pants was ok, but not in those special panties.