At Baby College, we know that potty training can feel like one of those big parenting milestones – exciting, a bit daunting, and often filled with questions. When should I start? How do I know if my child is ready? What if it doesn’t go to plan?
Here’s the good news: there is no single ‘right’ time to potty train. And science backs that up.
Across the world, families do things very differently. In some cultures, babies start their toilet training journey in the first few months of life. In the UK and other Western countries, it’s more common to wait until children are around two or even older. And both approaches can work beautifully – if they’re done gently and in tune with your child.
What matters most isn’t the age, but the method and mindset. Gentle, responsive approaches that use praise, encouragement, and plenty of patience tend to work best – whether you’re starting at 6 months or 3 years. There’s even some evidence that early training may help prevent certain toilet troubles later on, but it really depends on your child and your family life.
Some little ones show early signs of readiness – like staying dry for longer, wanting to wear underwear, or showing interest in the potty. Others take a little longer to warm up. Both are completely normal.
So, if you’re feeling the pressure – take a deep breath. Potty training is a process, not a race. You can start early, wait until your child is showing all the signs, or try and then pause if they’re not quite ready. It’s all part of learning and growing.
At Baby College, we’re always here to support you with evidence-based insights, practical ideas, and a warm community of parents and educators who get it.
