As your baby becomes a toddler you will begin to think about potty training.  Every child’s personality it different and so the exact time when your child is ready to be potty trained will be different from other children.  There is no exact right time, however, on average most children are fully potty trained by the age of two and a half (but remember that means some took longer and some were finished training earlier).   Some studies have shown that children who start potty training too early actually take longer to train than those who start when they are ready.

You are the best judge of what your child is ready for so the decision is yours on when to start this process.  Don’t let other people’s opinions on when a child is “supposed” to start potty training influence you.  If you have specific questions or concerns you should talk to your pediatrician.

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you begin potty training your little toddler.

• Allow your child time to get familiar with the potty and what he is supposed to do on the potty before you even begin the actual training.  Some suggest that you spend the first couple of weeks letting your child sit on the potty fully clothed while you explain what it is and what a person does on a potty.
• Make the potty part of your child’s routine.  You will be familiar with your child’s typical routine for dirtying her diaper, try to build the potty into times of the day when you know she usually goes to the bathroom.
• Get your child involved early by having them help you remove the diaper before they sit on the potty.  Try to make potty training fun for both of you.
• Try taking his diaper off while he is on the potty and dumping the contents into the toilet so your child can better understand the purpose of the potty.
• Spend time explaining to your child as they get more comfortable with the potty that they should tell you when they need to go to the bathroom so they can go in the potty instead of their diaper.
• Once your child is comfortable using the potty and has been successful at it for a while begin switching over from diapers to training pants.  You may have to still use diapers during nap times and night time as training typically takes longer around sleep times.
• Expect accidents and set backs.  Potty training takes time and patience.

Here is a list of some books available through amazon for both parents and kids that help with the potty training process.  I have heard the children’s book can be a big help in helping your child understand what the potty is and what they are supposed to do on it.

For help, suggestions and tips talk to other parents who have been through the potty training phase, they can be great resources of information.  Also, your pediatrician should be able to provide you with some suggestions and information to help you along the way.