In The Comprehensive Guide to Potty Training, we detailed the three main decisions that must be made to successfully potty train a toddler. These three main areas answer when, how and what is necessary to make potty training go smoothly. Any good potty training routine addresses the 3 areas and establishes how each area is going to be handles effectively.
What is the Best Potty Training Routine?
A successful potty training routine addresses three key areas: when to start, how to proceed, and what supplies to use. The best routine is tailored to your child's readiness and your family's circumstances. Experts recommend observing your child for signs of readiness before beginning the process.[^1] Starting too early or too late can be detrimental to the potty training experience and make it much more difficult and longer than necessary. By understanding the average age girls and boys are potty trained in the US, we can work backwards to determine the age that readiness signs are likely to occur.
What is the Average Potty Training Age?
Most girls potty train by 35 months in the US while boys train on average at 39 months of age. Since the average length of time that it takes to potty train is around six months, it reasons that around 28 to 30 months of age parents should look for the readiness signs to start potty training.However, since there are outliers with any statistic, parents should be aware that some children may show signs off readiness as early as 18 months while others as late as 36 months.[^1]
After determining that a child is ready to start training, the next decision is how to potty train. There are several methods and rules that parents have to choose from. The most effective depends on the particulars of the situation.
What is The Most Successful or Effective Potty Training Method for a girl, boy, 2 year old or 3 year old?
The most effective or most successful potty training method depends upon the situation. There are many variables that affect which method is best to use. The best or most effective method depends on the particulars of the situation as to which method will be most successful. For example when both parents work and a long weekend is the only time available for potty training, an accelerated method such as The 3 Day Potty Training Method or Potty Training In Less Than A Day is going to be the fastest potty training method for girls or boys.
Many parents find success by combining elements from different methods to create a hybrid approach that works best for their child.[^2] Often times a hybrid approach is best or most effective as it borrows components from different methods that are appealing to the particular situation and omits aspects that don't fit the case. Most parents find success by adapting a particular method to their situation and the preferences of their child. Very few parents follow a method precisely without changing or adapting it to fit their needs.
What are the Essential Potty Training Supplies?
Once the first two decisions are made: when to potty train and how to potty train, the third and final decision to make is: what to use. The Essential Potty Training Supplies for Girls and Boys make the process easier and improve the likelihood of success in the shortest possible time. Having the right tools can significantly improve your potty training experience. Here are some essential supplies to consider:[^3]
The Best Potty Training Toilet
There are a plethora of different styles, colors and shapes of child potties that are smaller sized to be more stable and comfortable for children. Many are the colors and themes of popular children's movies and cartoons.
**Recommendation:** Pote Plus My First WC By Venture
A child-sized potty chair or a toilet seat reducer that fits securely on your regular toilet.
Splash Guards:
For boys, splash guards can be added to potty chairs or seats to minimize messes and make the process more comfortable for both parent and child.
Best Potty Chairs for Boys
The Summer Infant My Size Potty is a popular option for boys. It resembles an adult toilet, complete with a flush handle that makes realistic flushing sounds. Its built-in splash guard is particularly useful for boys who are still learning to aim properly.
Best Potty Chairs for Girls:
The Fisher-Price Learn-to-Flush Potty is a great choice for girls. It features fun sounds and lights to encourage children after a successful potty visit. Its vibrant design with cute characters makes it appealing to girls and helps alleviate any fears they might have.
Potty Chairs for Bigger Toddlers:
For larger toddlers, consider the OXO Tot 2-in-1 Go Potty for Travel. This versatile potty chair can be used both at home and on the go. Its foldable design makes it easy to carry, and the wide seating area provides stability and comfort for larger toddlers transitioning from diapers.
The Best Potty With Splash Guard
The BabyBjörn Toilet Trainer is a good option for boys. It has an adjustable design that fits most toilets, a built-in splash guard to prevent messes, and a comfortable seat that makes transitioning to a full-sized toilet easier.
Potty Seats or Reducers:
Potty seats are designed to fit on top of regular toilet seats, making it easier for children to transition from a potty chair to using the adult toilet. Some potty seats have built-in handles or features to make them more child- friendly.
The Best Travel Toilet for Toddlers
**Recommendation:** My Carry Potty Training Set
A portable potty or foldable seat cover for public restrooms.
The Best Potty Seat With Step Stool
The GrowthPic Potty Training Seat with Step Stool Ladder is an ideal product for toddlers who are ready to use the adult toilet but need extra support. The built-in ladder helps children climb onto the toilet with ease, providing them with independence and confidence.
Best Themed Toilet Training Seats:
The Munchkin Sturdy Potty Seat is a well-reviewed option, featuring a non-slip surface and handles for safety. It also comes in several designs, including animals and cartoon characters, which can make the experience more enjoyable for children.
The Best Potty Training Charts
Reward charts provide a visual way to track a child's progress in using the potty. Parents can use stickers or markers to mark successful attempts, and children can see their achievements accumulate over time.
The Kenson Kids "I Can Do It" Potty Training Chart is a customizable reward system that allows parents to track their child’s potty training progress. The chart uses colorful magnets and provides a simple yet effective way to incentivize potty success.
Reward Stickers:
These stickers can be used with reward charts or as stand-alone incentives. Children tend to be enamored with stickers at the potty training stage.
The Potty Training Sticker Chart by Moon & Back offers over 300 themed stickers and an engaging chart. Kids can place stickers after each successful potty visit, making it a fun and motivational experience.
Potty Training Dolls or Toys:
Some parents use dolls or toys that come with their own miniature potty to make the process more fun and relatable for children. These toys can be used to demonstrate how to use the potty. An effective way to teach children to use a toilet is by having the child teach a doll the process and it tends to transfer to the child so that it is easily replicated.
Baby Wipes or Flushable Wipes:
Although not a necessity, nice-to-have wipes that are flushable or compostable, such as those by ECO by Naty at econatty.com, can be gentler on a child's skin than regular toilet paper. It is always advantageous to be able to keep everything as comfortable and pleasant as possible for children during this stressful period of change. These can be especially useful during the early stages of potty training when children are learning to wipe themselves. Eco by Naty makes environmentally-friendly flushable and compostable versions. According to its label: "Eco by Naty wipes are made by natural, compostable, and renewable material with 98.4% pure water. Since they are dermatologically and hypoallergenically tested (HRIPT test), Vegan, FSC certified, and totally Chlorine Free, they don’t irritate the skin and are safe for use on sensitive skin."
Potty Liners
For parents looking for convenience, the Potty Liner Disposable Liners by PottyPOD are an excellent choice. They fit standard potty chairs and are biodegradable, making them easy to dispose of after use, especially while traveling or on errands.
Potty Training Watches:
Watches may be an added motivation and fun tool to help keep children engaged and excited about potty training. Regular potty breaks are easy to program into the watch and alarm at the preferred time interval and help children get involved with the process and feel important with their new "job" of learning to use the potty.
The Olli & Lime Potty Watch helps remind children when it’s time to use the potty. The watch can be set to different time intervals, and children love the idea of having their own "big kid" watch to help them stay on track.
The Best Potty Training Pants
Training pants, or pull-up diapers, are designed to be more like underwear while still offering some absorbency. They allow children to pull them up and down easily, facilitating the transition to underwear. They come in both disposable and non disposable styles and can be very helpful during the training process at night time or when venturing out.
**Recommendation:** Bambino Mio Potty Training Pants
Absorbent, easy-to-pull-up-and-down underwear that allows your child to feel wetness while minimizing messes.
The Gerber Baby Training Pants offer a reusable, absorbent option for potty training toddlers. These pants have multiple layers for maximum protection, making them suitable for both day and night use.
Best Disposable Training Pants (Pull-Ups):
Huggies Pull-Ups are one of the most trusted brands in the potty training world. They offer both daytime and nighttime versions with fun character designs like Disney's "Cars" or "Frozen," which are especially appealing to children. The wetness indicators and stretchy sides make them easy for toddlers to use on their own.
The Best Potty Training Books for Adults
There are a number of books aimed at adults only and provide valuable information for those potty training for the first time. Books such as "The 3 Day Potty Training Method" by Lori Jensen have helped millions of parents new to potty training successfully train their child.
Oh Crap! Potty Training by Jamie Glowacki is a top choice for parents looking for a structured and methodical approach to potty training. This book breaks down the entire process into clear, manageable steps and offers advice for different parenting styles and challenges.
The Best Potty Training Books For Toddlers
There are books that focus on potty training that can be helpful in introducing the concept to children. They often include colorful illustrations and simple language to make the process more understandable and engaging. Very popular books such as Elmos'
For children, "Potty" by Leslie Patricelli is a fun and simple story that helps ease toddlers into the idea of using the toilet. The illustrations are colorful, and the text is easy to follow, making it ideal for little ones who are starting their potty training journey.
The Best Cleaning Supplies for Potty Training
Quick-absorbing cloths, disinfectant spray, and odor eliminators for inevitable accidents.
The Best Carpet Cleaner for Potty Training
An enzymatic cleaner specifically designed to remove urine stains and odors from carpets and upholstery.
The Best Detergent For Potty Training
A gentle, hypoallergenic detergent that effectively removes stains and odors without irritating sensitive skin.
Certificates:
Whether it's a print your own D-I-Y template or included as a part of a potty training system with reward charts and stickers, certificates are a great way to encourage , motivate and reinforce future success by providing a visible reminder of the achievement with recognition of their newly earned status as being a big boy or girl that identifies as being potty trained.
The Big Kid Potty Training Certificate Kit includes customizable certificates that allow parents to recognize their child’s potty training achievements. These certificates can be displayed to motivate continued progress and provide a sense of pride for the child.
Potty Training Apps:
There are various apps available that use interactive games and animations to engage children in the potty training process. These apps can be a fun and educational way to reinforce the concepts of using the toilet. Consider apps such as Potty Whiz and Baby Palooza in the App store for iPhone or Google Play for Android. Apps in this category tend to be informational or provide a digital reward chart to track your child's progress as part of an incentive based method or measure your child's progress over time which can be a great way to motivate, encourage and recognize their achievements.
The Potty Time with Elmo App is an excellent choice for parents and toddlers. The app features interactive games and songs with Elmo that encourage potty use, making the learning process fun. It also includes a progress tracker for parents.
The Best Potty Training Kit
There are some companies that make an all-inclusive potty training kit that includes several different items such as: a child potty, a reward chart, stickers and a certificate. PottyPeepz (pottypeepz.com) offers a potty training kit with "pee stickers" that change into characters after coming in contact with urine. The Potty Peepz kit also includes a child potty, a reward chart, reward stickers and a certificate of completion.
Interactive Stickers or Pee Stickers:
Products like those by Potty Peepz are activated by the warmth of urine, and these ordinary black, round stickers transform into fun, child-friendly characters that excite and motivate children to use the toilet. Potty Peepz also includes a Reward Chart to track each of your child's successes by placing Reward stickers on the Reward Chart as each character is revealed. Interactive stickers use positive reinforcement to motivate and encourage children learning to potty train.
Step Stools:
Step stools are useful for helping children reach the toilet or sink independently. They are especially helpful when transitioning to using the adult toilet, as they provide a stable platform for children to step onto.
Conclusion:
By addressing when to start, which method to use, and what supplies you need, you can create a potty training routine that sets your child up for success. Remember that every child is different, and patience is key. With the right approach and essential tools, you'll navigate this important milestone together.[^4]
[^1]: https://www.kandookids.com/blog/potty-training-schedule/
[^2]: https://www.lucieslist.com/guides/introduction-to-potty-training/potty-training-methods/
[^3]: https://www.motherandbaby.com/toddler/potty-training/best-potty-training-products/
[^4]: https://amotherfarfromhome.com/must-have-potty-training-items/
Citations:
[1] https://www.contentpowered.com/blog/cite-sources-bottom-seo/
[2] https://columbiacollege-ca.libguides.com/chicago/footnotes
[3] https://www.reddit.com/r/AskAcademia/comments/14q5n4t/is_it_normalrequired_to_add_a_source_in_your/
[4] https://www.amplenote.com/help/locate_backlink_note_content
[5] https://www.scribbr.com/chicago-style/footnotes/
[6] https://github.com/gettalong/kramdown/issues/454
[7] https://mybrandingagency.com/blog/citations-and-backlinks-in-seo-understanding-the-difference-and-importance-of-a-citation-and-backlink/
[8] https://www.scribbr.com/citing-sources/what-are-footnotes