Learn How I Potty Trained Toddlers in ONE WEEK (+ Top Toilets to Buy)

3 hours ago 1

Are your kiddos ready to use the toilet? Follow my potty training tips!

close up of toddler wearing hello bello diaper

Whether you’re wondering how or when to start potty training, you’ve come to the right place! As a seasoned mom who has trained three kiddos, here are all the potty training tips that could help you potty train your little one in just one week.

My top potty training tips:

1. Know it will happen when it happens.

child standing in bathroom by potty seat

Potty training for the wrong reasons will lead to frustration and discouragement. Don’t rush to get your kids potty trained so you don’t have to buy diapers anymore, or because you know a mom who potty trained their 18-month-old and you don’t want your child “falling behind”.

Signs your child might be ready to potty train:

They’re hiding when they do their business. Whether behind a curtain, squatting in a corner, or leaving the room to be alone, this is a strong indicator that they’re embarrassed or need privacy.
They have a clear understanding. It’s important for your child to understand what the potty is for and the difference between wearing a diaper vs. underwear.
They’re waking up dry. If they’re waking up from naps and bedtime without a wet diaper, chances are they’re going to transition very well overnight and during naps.
They show an interest. Yes, all kids normally follow you to the bathroom (and it’s always when they need a snack or a drink most), but if they’re following you and express curiosity, this is a great time to talk to them about the potty.
They’re uncomfortable. If your child is telling you when they need to be changed, is getting their own diaper, or seems uncomfortable after they go, they’re more than likely at a good potty training age and ready for this big change.

2. Retire all the diapers.

A drawer full of diapers

When your child is ready, donate all your unused diapers to a local shelter. Don’t keep diapers to fall back on for convenience. That confuses the kids and may make potty training take much longer.

3. Be patient when potty training.

sad toddler girl sitting on bed wearing a pink shirt

It’s so important for your little one to feel supported and have the self-confidence to do what may feel like a hard thing. That’s where the parent’s most important role comes into play.

Here are simple ways to support your little one and encourage positivity:

Know that accidents are normal and expected.
Don’t yell at your child when things aren’t going to plan.
Make them feel comfortable telling you when they do have to go, rather than being scared of having an accident.
When an accident does happen, talk to them and tell them it’s okay and that these things happen.
Use encouraging words. There’s nothing a little wash can’t fix.

4. Be homebodies for a while.

man holding a remote with coffee table in the background with magazines and messy toys

In the beginning, kids won’t give you much notice that they need the potty, so stay close, with a set, ongoing schedule. Consistency is key! In the colder months, it will be even easier to hunker down and stay home until they’ve mastered the potty.

5. Spend time on the potty.

girl at potty training age sitting on a white training potty reading an orange book

Put them on the potty training toilet frequently to familiarize them with it. Knowing your child’s daily routine is also helpful, so you can catch them before they typically go in their diaper.

6. Ask them frequently if they need to go.

mom and baby sitting on a window sill bench talking showing affection

To stay focused, set a timer to remind yourself at regular, short intervals throughout the day to check if they need to go potty. Over time, your natural instincts will kick in (if they haven’t already), and you’ll start noticing subtle clues when they need to go.

7. Try the “over-under” trick (my fave hack!).

mickey mouse huggies diapers and trolls theme underwear undies still on beige tufted bench

Put a diaper OVER their underwear. That way when they have an accident, they still feel wet and uncomfortable, but you’ll rarely have a mess. I believe this is the hack that had all three of my kids potty trained within days because they did not like the feeling of wet/dirty underwear.

8. Don’t give liquids before bedtime.

boy drinking water outside with parent holding stainless steel mug cup

Eliminate sleeping accidents by nixing fluids about three hours before bedtime. Once you’re confident your child can go all night without accidents, you can slowly introduce more fluids.

Hip Tip: Have them sit on the potty before bedtime. Even if they don’t go, they get into a routine to use the bathroom before they sleep.

9. Make potty training FUN!

johnny potty training chart full of stickers

Kids will thrive even more when they have an incentive to earn something! For us, it was a simple sticker chart and it was fun for my toddlers to pick their own stickers.

Here are three more ways you can process more fun:

Create a potty training chart. This can be done using stickers or could be milestones they hit to do something fun.
Take them shopping for underwear. I loved letting each of my kids choose their own underwear. This gets them more excited to wear them and helps them express their personality.
Scoop up some new books. Bathroom books are a great way to introduce potty training to your child and keep the conversation going.

holding potty book full of potty training tips