Short answer: According to the NHS, almost all children can be potty trained between 18 months and 2½ years, and you don't have to wait for your child to show signs before you start. Choose a calm period without big changes, start with daytime (keep nappies for naps and nights), offer the potty at regular moments, and praise effort rather than results. If your child is constipated, sort that out first.
There's hardly a topic with more conflicting advice. One grandparent says start early, a neighbour says wait until they ask, and the internet offers dozens of methods. Here's what the guidance actually says — and a calm plan to follow.
When to start
There's no single right age, but the NHS notes that waiting for the “perfect” moment can mean putting it off longer than you need to. More important than age is timing in your family's life: avoid starting just before a new baby, a house move or starting nursery. If it isn't working after a week or two, it's fine to pause for a few weeks and try again.
Signs that can help (but aren't required)
- Your child notices when they're weeing or pooing, or tells you afterwards.
- Their nappy stays dry for an hour or two.
- They can sit on a potty or toilet and get up again.
- They're interested in what others do in the toilet, or want to wear pants.
Some children never show clear signs and still learn well.
Getting ready
- Read books together about using the potty, or show a doll or teddy “using” it.
- Talk about wees and poos as they happen, so your child starts to recognise them.
- Change nappies in the bathroom where you can, and let your child flush or help wash hands.
- Decide between a potty or a toilet with a child seat and a step. With a toilet, the step should be high enough that your child's knees are higher than their hips.
- Choose clothes that are easy to pull down, such as joggers or leggings, and keep spare clothes handy.
A calm step-by-step plan
- Tell your child what's happening. “From now on, wees and poos go in the potty.”
- Choose your start days. A few quieter days at home make the first week easier.
- Switch to pants in the daytime. Keep nappies for naps and nights for now; night dryness usually comes later (see staying dry at night).
- Offer the potty at natural moments: after waking, after meals, before going out and before bed, rather than asking every ten minutes.
- Make sitting comfortable. Feet flat on the floor or on a step help children relax. A book or song can help them stay put for a minute or two.
- Praise the effort, whether or not anything happens. Keep rewards small, if you use them at all.
- Handle accidents calmly. “Oops, the wee came out. Let's get some clean pants.” No telling off — shame tends to lead to holding on, which makes things harder.
Shame slows potty training down. Calm and patience speed it up.
Check for constipation first
Children should usually do soft poos at least every other day. Hard, dry or pebble-like poos, or straining, can be signs of constipation. Painful poos can make a child afraid to go, which makes the next one harder. The NHS advises talking to your health visitor or GP about suspected constipation — ideally before stopping nappies. See also constipation in children.
How long does it take?
Every child learns at their own pace. Some get the hang of daytime use within days or weeks; others need months of practice. Poos often take longer than wees. Being dry at night is a separate milestone that often comes much later, and it isn't something your child can learn by trying harder.
If your child refuses or gets upset
Refusal is common and usually about control, fear or discomfort, not naughtiness. Take the pressure off, go back a step (for example, sitting on the potty with clothes on), and try again in a few weeks. Holding on to poo is often a sign of constipation or fear of pain — talk to your health visitor or GP.
Children with additional needs can learn toileting skills too, though they may need more time or support. The children's bowel and bladder charity ERIC has specific advice.
When to talk to your health visitor or GP
- You suspect constipation, or pooing is painful.
- Your child is often wet after a long time being dry, or weeing is painful or very frequent.
- Your child is nearing school age and still needs a lot of help.
- You're worried about progress or finding it hard — you can ask at any time.
Related reading
Prefer a full plan? Potty Training without Stress (PDF, English) takes you from nappies to the toilet at your child's pace.
Sources
- NHS Best Start in Life — Potty training your child.
- Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust — Constipation.
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org — Toilet training.
Written by the Bloom Guides editorial team. Last updated: 19 October 2026. General information only — not a substitute for advice from your health visitor or doctor.