When to toilet train (1107)

As your baby approaches one year of age you may be asking, “Will baby be ready for toilet training soon?” Probably not. Many parents are anxious to leave the stage of diapers behind, but be patient.

Child development research shows the average child is not fully toilet trained until 2½ to 3 years of age. Some take longer. Nighttime control takes until 3 to 4 years old. Your child must be ready before he can start to be toilet trained.

Learning to use the toilet is a complicated task. Your child must:

- understand what you want her to do

- feel when he is about to urinate or have a bowel movement before he actually does it

- be able to tell you in words that she needs to go

- get into the bathroom

- undo clothing, including snaps and zippers

- sit on the toilet

- relax and let urine or bowel movement out.

If you try to toilet-train too early, your child will be upset that he can't do what you want, or you may become frustrated when things don't go smoothly.

Sometimes a child goes on the potty once or twice by accident, and then parents feel that she is being disobedient on purpose when she won't do it again. You can avoid a lot of problems by waiting until your child is ready, probably after his second birthday. Your child will want to stay dry, "like a big boy," and toilet training will go much more smoothly for both of you.

For more information on this subject, Please visit the College of Agricultural Sciences Publications Web site.

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