Dr David Coleman: Starting potty training? Here’s how to set your toddler up for success

Investing in a comfortable toilet seat, sticking to a consistent routine and encouraging your child as they take this big step towards independence are key to potty training

Helping your child to feel relaxed and comfortable will put them at ease in the bathroom. Photo: Getty

Dr David Coleman

Toilet training looms on the horizon for many toddlers and the summer is often a preferred time for parents to start the process. As with every developmental stage, there is a such a wide range of “normal” that there is no set age at which you should consider toilet training your child. Typically, the range can be as broad as somewhere between the ages of two and four years of age.

Sometimes parents will feel that their 18-month-old is ready, but in my experience, if you start younger, the process just takes longer to complete. To judge if this summer might be time to train your child, the usual signs of readiness that you might look out for include showing interest in the bathroom, or the bathroom habits of others, staying dry for longer periods, and being able to follow simple instructions. Being able to pull up and down their own pants is also helpful. Every child is different, so don’t rush the process if your toddler isn’t quite there yet.