Toilet training is a vital social skill and developmental milestone for children. It involves teaching the child about the proper techniques in using the toilet, the importance of hygiene and other necessary skills children will need as they grow.

Toilet training takes time, patience and compassion. In general, children develop the ability to control the urinary and anal sphincters after age 18 months. However, children begin at different ages and the time to master toilet training can vary widely.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends waiting for children to signal when they’re ready to begin toilet training. Rushing children into toilet training before they are physically, mentally or emotionally ready can cause stress for the child and family. It is also likely to take much longer.

Parents and caregivers should be prepared for inevitable setbacks during the process. In addition, numerous issues can prolong or delay toilet training. For instance, periods of stress (e.g., birth of a sibling, moving to a new home, new daycare setting, family trauma) can delay the process or cause toilet-trained children to regress.

Problems with the child’s health, such as a chronic illness, disabilities or developmental delays, can make toilet training more difficult. For example, certain medications can increase (or decrease) the frequency of elimination, or they may interfere with a child’s ability to recognize the need to go to a toilet. Hospitalization and bed rest can interrupt the toilet training process and the illness itself can cause problems (e.g., polyuria, incontinence, fatigue). Some children with developmental disabilities may not ever be completely trained.

Toilet training continues in daycare settings, which may include home settings (e.g., relatives, babysitters), places of worship and community centers. Due to interaction with other children, daycare providers may be the first to recognize when a child is ready to begin toilet training. Many daycare providers are also excellent sources of toilet training information and advice. Furthermore, associating with toilet-trained children of similar ages can help to motivate a toilet-training child.