In the process of potty training

You’re in the process of potty training your little one. Great job! But it can raise a lot of questions. Maybe you’ve noticed that you’re stuck on a certain step. Or perhaps it’s become a struggle, and you’re wondering if everything will work out. Don’t panic. We’ll explain what’s important when it comes to potty training—and what you, as a parent or caregiver, can do to make progress without stress. Be sure to check out the Tips & Tricks section as well.

Every child is different

We often hear from parents: “It was so easy with our first child. But with the second, it’s really different. Am I doing something wrong?” Don’t worry. It’s perfectly normal for one child to be potty trained very differently from another. Every child develops in their own way. Just like learning to walk or talk. Your family situation is also different with a second child. So pay close attention to your child and don’t compare too much. It may be that one step takes longer than the next. Very few children become potty-trained overnight. For most children, it’s a learning process, with ups and downs. For you, that means: encourage your child, give lots of compliments, be patient, and work together as a team! Be kind to yourself, too. It’s a big step!

Don't take the diaper off right away

Many parents jump right in and leave the diaper off for the entire morning or day, especially if their child is already over 3 years old. They assume their child knows what the toilet is for and can sense what’s happening in their body. But that’s exactly what your child needs to learn—even if they’re already 3 or 3.5 years old. Today’s diapers are so absorbent that a child doesn’t feel any wetness.

So the best approach is this: first, keep the diaper on and spark your child’s curiosity about the toilet, poops, pees, and what happens inside the diaper. Only then should you start gradually phasing out the diaper—starting with just an hour a day—so your child can get a feel for what’s happening. You should also introduce your child to the potty. What is it for? Has your child had their first pee or poop in the potty? Then you can gradually leave the diaper off for longer periods. For example, a few hours in the morning. After that, the diaper can go back on. The diaper will only stay off once your child is ready. Potty training usually takes 1 to 4 months from the start. So keep that in mind.

Learning to sense what is happening

For your child, potty training means learning to sense when their body needs to go. This usually happens in the following order: 

• Afterward: I peed or pooped (in my diaper).
• While: I'm peeing or pooping (in a diaper or on a potty/toilet).
• First off: I need to pee or poop.

What can you do as a parent?

As a parent, you’ll help your child recognize the signals they feel and express. This will help your child feel better and understand what’s happening. This process involves four steps. Each step usually takes a few weeks.

Together with other caregivers

Raising and growing up isn’t something we do alone. Maybe grandparents come over to babysit. Or perhaps your child goes to daycare, preschool, or a child care provider. All of these caregivers are familiar faces to your child and to you. If you work together as a team, potty training can go more smoothly. So discuss what stage of potty training your child is in and ask what the other caregivers can do to help. Do you have concerns? Then you can consult your family doctor or the child health clinic. They’re happy to help you figure things out and see what’s needed.

Night falls later

Many parents think you can also train their child to be potty-trained at night. Or they get tired of changing the bed every night. Did you know that for most children, nighttime potty training happens naturally within a few months of becoming potty-trained during the day? But it can also take longer. That’s normal. And unfortunately, you can’t practice it. Your child’s body and brain need to practice and learn to work together during the day: the bladder is full, hold it for a bit, and get to the bathroom in time. So don’t start taking off the diaper too soon during the afternoon nap or in the evening. Only start doing this once the diaper has been dry every morning for a week in a row.