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As your child approaches the potty training milestone, you may find yourself wondering when to start and what approach will work best. Potty training can feel like a daunting task, but with a little guidance, you can move through the transition with more ease and confidence, and in turn, help your child do the same.

To help you navigate this process, we spoke with our doctors to provide some of our best tips and recommendations. From recognizing developmental cues that signal your child is ready, to managing the transition alongside a new sibling, we hope this quick guide provides a bit of clarity that you can utilize to support your child’s growth.

Is my toddler actually ready?
Successful potty training isn’t about hitting a specific age or meeting a daycare deadline. Instead, it is about developmental readiness. Every child moves at their own speed. Some “get it” over a single weekend, while others take months. Do not turn it into a race. Pushing a child who isn’t ready often leads to power struggles and setbacks. Watch their cues rather than the calendar.

Here are some signs to look for:
• A sudden curiosity about the bathroom.
• The “I’m going” face or general awareness of bodily functions.
• Staying dry for longer stretches during the day.

What is the “Bare-Bottom” approach?
The most effective strategy is the ‘bare-bottom’ method. Letting your child go naked at home helps them establish a direct physical connection between feeling the urge and taking action. The point of “naked time” is for your child to see pee leaving their body in real-time. Without a diaper to mask the sensation, they can finally connect their internal signals to the physical result.
When an accident happens, keep it simple and observational: “Look, that’s your pee! We’re trying to get that in the potty.” Keep it low-stress and skip the chores. They’re usually too young to help clean, and forcing it can cause unnecessary power struggles. Just clean it up without a fuss so they can focus entirely on the “lightbulb moment” of seeing how their body works.

What if a new baby is on the way?
It’s tempting to rush potty training so you don’t have two kids in diapers, but a new baby is a huge adjustment. If your toddler is pushing back, having more accidents than usual, or if the baby is arriving in the next few weeks, it’s perfectly okay to hit the pause button. It’s much easier to wait until the household settles than to fight a “potty battle” while you’re already short on sleep. Your sanity is worth more than a dry diaper!

Tips for a Smooth Transition
• Build the Routine: Consistency is your best friend. Schedule potty breaks after meals and before transitions, such as naps or bedtime, to build muscle memory.
• Keep Praise Simple: You do not need a marching band. A simple “High five, you used the potty!” is enough. Over-the-top rewards can sometimes make kids feel like they are “performing,” which adds unnecessary pressure.
• Normalize the Process: Let them see you or siblings using the bathroom. Read potty-themed books or watch fun videos to make the concept feel like a normal, everyday part of life.
• Ditch the Comparisons: Your neighbor’s kid might have been trained at 18 months, but that has zero bearing on your child’s brilliance. Focus on the human in front of you.

Trust the Process
There is no one-size-fits-all timeline for this. It’s a phase of independence and confidence-building, and by staying calm and flexible, you’re teaching your child that they can master new skills at their own pace. As always, check in with your pediatrician for specific questions regarding your child’s individual needs. Remember: you’ve got this, and this too shall pass.