Information and guidance from the NHS. Using a potty or the toilet is a new skill for your child to learn. It’s best to take it slowly and go at your child’s pace. Being patient with them will help them get it right, even if you sometimes feel frustrated.
Children are able to control their bladder and bowels when they’re physically ready and when they want to be dry and clean. Every child is different, so it’s best not to compare your child with others.
Bear in mind that most children can control their bowels before their bladder.
- by age 1, most babies have stopped doing poos at night
- by age 2, some children will be dry during the day, but this is still quite early
- by age 3, 9 out of 10 children are dry most days – even then, all children have the odd accident, especially when they’re excited, upset or absorbed in something else
- by age 4, most children are reliably dry during the day
It usually takes a little longer for children to learn to stay dry throughout the night.
Although most learn this between the ages of 3 and 5, up to 1 in 5 children aged 5 sometimes wet the bed.
Read on for some toilet training on tips…
Below is some further information from the Children’s Bowel and Bladder Charity, ERIC.
Learning how to use the potty independently and stopping wearing nappies is a big milestone for your child. There are lots of new and exciting skills for them to learn with your help.
To make this process easier for you both, follow our evidence-based 3 step Let’s Go Potty approach.
It begins with preparation to use the potty, next is practising potty skills before eventually stopping using nappies as your child gains confidence.
Watch a short clip from the ERIC potty training podcast below.
