There are pros and cons about beginning potty training before your child is two years of age. There is even a process called Express Toileting which aims to have babies trained to use the potty from six months. It seems difficult to comprehend how this can work if a child doesn’t have the gross motor skills to be able to sit up.

Some experts argue that all you are doing before age two is toilet timing, that is, you know your child’s normal routine and you time visits to the potty around that. Depending on how regular your child is this can work well.

However, the problem with it is that the child isn’t actively engaged in what is happening. They are just sitting where they are told and letting whatever happen happen! This isn’t potty training as most parents know it. The other downside with potty timing is that if your child’s routine changes because they get sick or you are travelling then you will feel that you’ve somehow gone backwards which can be demoralising.

Many people believe that the potty training process is both faster and less stressful if you wait for the child to indicate that they are ready to begin. This may be when they are two years or may well be when they are three. It all depends on your child.

How do you know? You child needs to be emotionally ready and keen to try. Once you begin make sure you give praise for small steps. Go at your child’s pace rather than trying to fit into some schedule you read about and stop for a few weeks if there are any setbacks. And the most important thing is not to punish your child for any accidents. You don’t want to make going potty a negative experience. So be patient and remember it is not a competition.