Is your toddler ready for potty-training?

It's not a contest!

Virtually all children are toilet trained by the time they go to school, so a few months here or there doesn't make a lot of difference now.

Most children are ready anywhere between 24 and 36 months. There's a wide range in the 'normal' age for potty-training. Boys generally start later and take longer to train than girls.

Sign of the times

Keep a lookout for signs that your toddler is interested in using the potty and is aware of a bowel movement before it happens. Try not to be competitive! Of all the achievements in your child's life, getting out of nappies is one of the minor ones.

Ready or not?

The job of toilet-training is much easier if you start with a toddler who has bowel movements at predictable times of the day. Encourage them to use a potty at these times - have it ready, show it to them, but make a game of it. Be lavish with your praise if your child is successful.

No luck? Be matter-of-fact. Don't try to force things - it's probably not the right time yet.

Related articles:

• Toilet-Training Tips
• Ask our experts: 'holding in' & bladder problems
• Ask our experts: is 15 mths too old for nappies?
• Ask our experts: my toddler poos in the bath