What is the most effective (best) time to potty train a child (girl or boy)?

Embarking on the journey of toilet training with your child is a significant milestone, that is often stressful for both parent and child. The Comprehensive Guide To Potty Training presents many potty training statistics so that parents have an idea of what the experience is for the average child. The Comprehensive Guide To Potty Training Timing  presents statistics about the timing of potty training so parents are aware of the general time line for potty training most children as well as the potty training readiness signs that indicate a child is ready to start training. This article examines recent research to provide parents some objective guidelines for the best age to initiate potty training and dispels a very common myth regarding early potty training that has gained a substantial amount of traction in recent years.

Whats the average age for potty training children (girls, boys)?

The average age for children potty training in the US is 36.5 months, with girls training on average at 34 months and boys at 39 months.

What is the average age children are fully potty trained for the night?

The average age for full potty training for children in the US is around 4 years. In general, children are trained for the night time about 10 months after they are daytime trained. For children to remain dry during the night, the body must have ample supply of ADH or antidiuretic hormone available. Night time dryness requires larger amounts of ADH during the night time than are required for daytime dryness.

What age are most children fully potty trained by?

As we discuss in great detail in The Comprehensive Guide To Potty Training Children, each child is unique and every child has a different potty training experience. So there are going to be outliers with every statistic, there will be early trainers and late trainers that are on opposing ends of the spectrum with most children in the middle. The majority of children complete potty training fully by 48 months or 4 years of age and a small number of early trainers that complete full potty training at 3 years of age or younger and a small number of late trainers that complete potty training at 5 years or later.

98 % of 4 year olds are potty trained. On the website Tampabay.com, pediatrician and mother, Karen Enberg provides the following numbers: About 4 percent of children are toilet trained by age 2; about 22 percent by 2.5 years; 60 percent by 3 years; and 88 percent by 3.5 years. And 2 percent are still figuring it out at age 4. See Percentage of Children Potty Trained at Each Age chart below:

What age should children be fully potty trained?

Children should be fully trained for the night time by 48 months or 4 years, though there are always late bloomers that are completely normal and potty train after 4 or even 5 years of age.

What is considered delayed potty training? When should parents worry about a child not being potty trained?

Potty training after the age of 4 is considered delayed potty training and parents should seek the advice of a medical professional for children that are not trained by 4 years of age. Parents should be concerned after the age of 4 if a child is not yet trained. However, as long as the child is under the care of a medical professional, there is no need to start worrying at anytime.

Whats the earliest that a baby can be potty trained?

In spite of the online chatter that children younger than 12 months can potty train, it is rare if not impossible for children under one year of age to potty train. Children are unable to control their bladder or bowels under 12 months of age. They have little control between 12 and 18 months and full control does not develop until 24 to 48 months.

 

What is Infant Potty Training or Elimination Communication (EC)?

While some infants may respond to signals or cues from their parents to defecate or urinate as the parent moves the child in position over a toilet. This method known as Infant Potty Training or Elimination Communication (EC) is a misnomer as the parent controls and is responsible for the entire interaction. Genuine potty training carried out by the child without a parents assistance before 18 months is very unlikely due to the inability of children to control their bladder or bowels at such a young age. 

What is the latest age a child should be potty training?

Children should begin potty training before 36 months or 3 years of age assuming the signs of potty training readiness are present.

 

Is it normal for a 4 or 5 year old to not be potty trained?

Since 2% of 4 year olds are not yet potty trained and less than 1% of 5 year olds, parents need to understand that it is normal and always a possibility that a child is one of the late bloomers. However, after the age of 4, it is essential to consult a medical professional to determine the underlying cause of the delayed potty training. There are a number of medical conditions that cause children to have bladder or bowel control issues.

How does a parent know when a child is ready for potty training?

Below is a potty training readiness signs checklist. The readiness signs are all of the smaller skills or milestones that when combined in sequence complete the potty training process such as the ability to take pants down or up, walk to the toilet, sit for 5 minutes, and communicate the need to use the potty. The presence of the majority of the signs in the chart indicate that a child is very likely to be successful potty training and it's a good time to start.

What are the signs that a child is not ready for potty training?

In addition to the readiness signs above, there are also indications that a child is not ready to start potty training. Below is a checklist of signs that indicate a child is not ready to start potty training and any potty training efforts will likely be unsuccessful:

What's the most effective, best time or sweet spot for potty training children?

Research indicates that the "sweet spot" for toilet training appears to be between 27 to 32 months. 

Is early potty training better than late potty training?

Research challenges the notion that training children before 27 months prevents accidents or stool refusal. The younger the child starts, the longer the training process may take, with children starting between 18 to 24 months taking 13 to 14 months on average, compared to those starting after 27 months, who take 10 months or less.**

Contrary to the recent narrative that parents are better off potty training early than late, research indicates that there is little benefit to potty training before 27 months and the ideal age to potty train is from 27 months to 32 months. Children complete potty training at around the same time whether they start between 18 to 24 months or 27 to 32 months. Research also indicated that there were no problems associated with later training that have been previously reported such as a higher number of accidents, constipation or stool refusal.

 Conclusion: Navigating the world of potty training involves understanding your child's readiness, choosing an approach that suits your family dynamics, and embracing the potential challenges. While research provides valuable insights, it's essential to remember that every child is unique, and a tailored, positive approach is key to a successful toilet training journey.

Note: The information in this blog post is based on research findings mentioned in the article. For specific concerns about your child's development or health, it is advisable to consult with healthcare professionals.