Your baby has grown so much and is now very active: you see them make progress every day and successfully reach new developmental milestones. Today, they are about to enter a new phase: learning to stay clean. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about the potty-training stage, so you can understand how this new developmental step unfolds, how to approach it, and how to encourage your little one with confidence.

At what age is a child ready to become potty trained?

A baby empties their bladder and intestines without being able to consciously control it. Around the age of two, your little one begins to notice when their bladder is full. However, they are not yet able to hold it, as this requires control of the bladder and sphincter muscles, which they develop gradually. As you can see, the transition from diapers to the toilet is a natural, spontaneous process that happens sooner or later. It cannot be taught; it depends entirely on when your child is physiologically and psychologically ready to take this step.

A child is often considered toilet trained when no accidents have occurred for six months. The training period can last from 10 to 14 months. But if your little adventurer needs a bit more time, there’s no reason to worry: after all, every child develops at their own pace.

How to recognize the signs indicating that your child is ready to be potty trained?

When your child is ready, they will usually show you. The following signs can help you determine whether your child may be ready to go without diapers:

• He knows how to sit on his potty

• He can undress himself

• His diaper stays dry for several hours

• He tells you when his diaper is full

• He knows how to express his needs

• He shows curiosity about going to the toilet or sitting on the potty

• He no longer wants to wear diapers

• He is increasingly reluctant during diaper changes

• He is becoming more independent and wants to do things himself

How to generate interest in cleanliness in a child?

• Choose the appropriate accessory : to make it easier for your little one to use the toilet, you can choose a potty or a toilet reducer. By involving your little adventurer in choosing this accessory, you may encourage their desire to use it.

• Read stories about cleanliness to your child : many of your child’s favorite heroes have books that explain the potty-training step in a child-friendly way. For example, "T’choupi goes on the potty" or "Little Bear Brun is out of diapers" could pique your little one's interest.

• Explain to your child what is happening : children often learn by imitation. By taking your little one to the bathroom with you, explaining what happens there, and what the flush is for, they learn that going to the toilet is natural and nothing to be ashamed of. This can be a great way to spark their curiosity.

How can we promote the acquisition of cleanliness?

Keeping your child on the potty for long periods and repeatedly asking them to go is not necessarily a good idea. On the contrary, it could have the opposite effect.

By establishing a routine, you help your child integrate the potty and the need to use the bathroom into their daily life. Invite your little one to sit on it, even fully dressed, at suitable times of day (morning, after naptime, during bath time), so they can get used to it. The next step is to remove the diaper for a few hours during the day. Offer the potty from time to time, or go to the bathroom together if needed, so your child learns to recognize their needs and express them. Above all, don’t force anything; otherwise, your child may lose interest in this new routine altogether.

Sometimes, the time between your child saying they need to pee and the moment it happens is very short—sometimes too short. To make things easier, choose clothing that’s quick to remove. are perfect for this transition. Your little adventurer can easily put them on and take them off alone, like underwear that keeps them dry. With our , your little adventurer can wipe their bottom by themselves, like a big kid. Made with a soft fabric composed of tiny fibers that dissolve in water, your child can simply throw them in the toilet.

When does a child become dry at night?

Your child is dry during the day, but still has regular accidents at night? Don’t worry: nighttime dryness usually develops later, once daytime dryness is well established. For this reason, it’s best to remove the diaper at night only when you notice that it stays dry. To make this step easier, you can place the potty in their room with a nightlight. Consider fitting the bed with a waterproof cover that’s easy to wash in case of an accident.

How to react in case of failure or accident?

If you notice that the first attempts aren’t working, your child may not be ready to be toilet trained yet. Rushing this step can be counterproductive; in that case, put the potty away and offer it again in a few weeks.

After all, every child develops at their own pace and, sooner or later, your little one will succeed. Be patient and don’t let others make you doubt yourself. At the same time, congratulate your little adventurer at every stage of the process: whether they manage to undress themselves, keep their diaper dry for a few hours, or stay dry throughout the night, it’s a great reason to be proud of them. Don’t be disappointed and don’t scold them if something goes wrong—it’s completely normal at the beginning, and your child shouldn’t feel ashamed. When you approach this step calmly, the whole process feels more relaxed. However, if your child senses your disappointment, it could discourage them.

Even if it takes time to become clean, every small step on the path to cleanliness is a big sign of your toddler’s development. No matter how long it takes, you can always be proud of your little adventurer.

LILLYDOO is here to support you during this new stage by allowing you to easily adjust your subscription. Depending on the number of diapers you need, you can modify the delivery interval. When the time comes, you can also cancel it easily. We wish your little adventurer every success in this new stage!