The Best and Most Successful Potty Training Methods?

In our guide, The Comprehensive Guide to Potty Training, we emphasize that identifying when your child is ready to start potty training is crucial. Before diving in, ensure that your child shows the signs of readiness listed in the chart below:

The Potty Training Readiness Signs

The presence of the majority of the signs in the chart above indicates that a child is ready to start training and has an excellent chance of success. On the other hand, if a child is showing any of the signs in the chart in the section below, it is too early for the child to start potty training and the chance of success is very poor.

Signs That Your Child Is Not Ready for Potty Training

It’s important to note that the key indicators of readiness are behavioral signs, not age. Children develop at different paces, making age a poor predictor of potty training readiness.

Is It Normal for a 3 or 4-Year-Old Not to Be Potty Trained?

Absolutely. While the average age for potty training is around 3 years, many children fall outside this norm. It's entirely normal for some 3- or 4-year-olds to not be fully potty trained yet (HealthyChildren.org). With any statistic, most individuals will tend to be close to the average, however, there will be outliers on both ends of the spectrum. With regards to potty training, there will be a small number of children who train extremely early at a much younger age than the average child and children who train extremely late at a much older age. So it is completely normal to see 3,4 or even 5 year olds not being potty trained yet.

What Potty Training Methods Are Available?

Selecting the right potty training method should align with your child's personality and your family’s situation. Here are some popular methods, each with its unique advantages:

1. The Azrin and Foxx Method: Developed by psychologists Nathan Azrin and Richard Foxx, this structured approach includes scheduled potty breaks and positive reinforcement (Potty Training in a Day).

2. The Brazelton Method: Pediatrician Dr. T. Berry Brazelton advocates for a child-centered approach that emphasizes readiness cues and encourages children to take the lead (What to Expect).

3. The Three-Day Potty Training Method: Popularized by Lora Jensen, this intensive method aims to train your child within a concentrated three-day period through consistent routines and positive reinforcement.

   The Three Day Potty Training Method Nap Time- Parents should remind the child to try to use the potty before laying down and upon waking up and be ready to get the child onto a potty if they should start going during the nap- just like at bedtime the parent is encouraged to make a bed on the floor beside the child so that they are able to react quickly if the child should start to urinate. (Three-DayPotty Training).

4. Elimination Communication (EC): Also known as infant potty training, EC involves recognizing a baby’s elimination signals and responding promptly to encourage early potty awareness (BabyCenter).

5. The Oh Crap! Potty Training Method: Created by Jamie Glowacki, this method promotes a direct switch from diapers to underwear, focusing initially on naked training for greater independence (Oh Crap! Potty Training).

6. The Diaper-Free Baby Method: Authored by Christine Gross-Loh and Ingrid Bauer, this combines EC principles with attachment parenting, stressing early communication and a diaper-free lifestyle (Diaper-FreeBaby).

7. The 2-Day Potty Training Method: Developed by Dr. Jazmine McCoy, this approach involves a focused two-day training session with consistent routines and a child-led strategy (Dr. Jazmine McCoy).

8. The Naked and $75 Potty Training Method: Coined by Wendy S. Masi, this method pairs naked training with a reward system that includes a motivating toy worth $75 (Wendy S. Masi).

9. The Bare Bottom Method: This involves allowing a child to go without diapers, helping them connect the sensation of wetness to the need for using the potty (What to Expect).

10. Positive Reinforcement Training: A general approach focusing on praise and rewards for successful potty use, fostering a positive association with the potty (American Academy of Pediatrics).

11. The Child-Oriented Approach: A flexible method based on observing a child's cues, promoting independence, and avoiding pressure. While Dr. Benjamin Spock didn’t create a specific potty training method, his philosophy encourages individualized parenting approaches (Dr. Spock's Baby and Child Care).

12. The One Day Potty Training Method: This involves a single day of intensive potty training, encouraging frequent bathroom visits and celebrating successes (What to Expect).

Recommended Potty Training Books

If you're looking for resources, here are some highly regarded books:

• The Oh Crap! Potty Training Method by Jamie Glowacki (Oh Crap! Potty Training)
• Potty Training in a Day (The Azrin and Foxx Method) (Potty Training in a Day)
• The Three-Day Potty Training Method by Lora Jensen (Three-Day Potty Training)
• Potty Training in 3 Days by Brandi Brucks, which offers an accelerated approach while considering readiness (Brandi Brucks).
• Big Little Feelings Potty Training Program Parents can also consider programs like Big Little Feelings Potty Training, which features a series of instructional videos. Reviews vary, with some parents appreciating the format for keeping everyone aligned on potty training rules (Big Little Feelings).

What is the 10-Minute Rule of Potty Training?

One guideline to aid the process is the 10-minute rule, where parents set a timer to encourage their child to sit on the toilet every 10 minutes. When successful, provide praise or rewards. Critics argue this method may not give enough time for children to learn to recognize their bodily sensations (Parents.com).

What is the Best Potty Training Method?

The best potty training method depends upon the specifics of the particular case. There are many variables that go into determining which method is best. Some methods are best suited for situations where training must be completed quickly or for instance if both parents work the only way to train may be one of the accelerated methods over a long weekend. Also specifics related to the child and parent come into play for example the accelerated methods may overwhelm some parents and children and simply be too stressful and a more gradual approach such as child-led potty training may be better suited for the situation.

Often times a hybrid approach, which borrows components from various methods and omits the things that don't fit the situation, is the best method. In fact, very few parents follow a particular method to a tee and don't change different aspects of a particular method so that it fits their situation. Most parents find success when adapting the particular method to fit their situation.

What is the Most Effective or Successful Potty Training Method?

Each of the methods listed above have been effective and successful for parents and children at different times. There is no one method considered more successful or effective than the others so it depends on the situation to determine the most effective method. Again it depends upon the situation to determine the method that will be most successful or effective for any given child.

What is the Fastest Way to Potty Train a Toddler- girl or boy?

Intensive methods like the Three-Day Potty Training or Potty Training in a Day tend to be the quickest.  One of the two methods above are best suited for training over a short time such as a weekend when both parents work and the only time available is the weekend. However, be prepared for accidents; most children aren’t fully night-trained until about 10 months after mastering daytime potty use (American Academy of Pediatrics).

Conclusion

Once you determine your child's readiness, selecting the right potty training method is essential. While accelerated methods can be effective, they often don’t lead to full nighttime training without accidents. A more gradual, child-led approach can be less stressful for everyone involved.

For further details on supplies and resources, see The Comprehensive Guide to Essential Potty Training Supplies for recommendations on:

• Potty Training Seats for Boys
• The Best Potty Training Books
• Potty Training Seats with Step Stools