The 7 Key Potty Training Milestones
Potty training milestones are a key part of your child's potty training development. As you start thinking about how to start potty training, it may feel overwhelming as you navigate your child's readiness. This includes learning new communication modes, an understanding of the potty, and, for some families, the use of motivational rewards.
Another factor to consider in the potty training timeline is when to start potty training your child. Most children are ready between 18–24 months old, but not every child is ready at the same time, so you will need to know which signs to watch out for.
Below are seven potty training milestones that can be used to track your child’s progress and help them feel confident every step of the way. You can also try the Pull-Ups® Potty Training app ft. Disney Jr. The app features a readiness quiz, along with other helpful tools and related Disney Jr. activities to help keep your BIG KID motivated.Milestone 1: The Basics
Is your little one staying dry a bit longer, sneaking off to do their business in secret, or suddenly showing interest in what you’re doing in the bathroom? If so, these are some signs that they may be ready to use the potty:- Can sit on the potty for five minutes
- Can flush the toilet by themselves
- Knows what the steps are to get on and off the toilet
- Knows how to tear off toilet paper while sitting on the toilet
- Understands to put the seat up and down
- Is able to get on and sit upright on the potty
- Can slide pants, underwear, training pants up and down
- Washes hands with soap and water by themselves
Hitting these early milestones marks a good time to make a few DIY potty training rewards. By offering your child a small reward every time they attempt the potty, you can motivate your little one to continue doing so.
Milestone 2: Pee in the Potty
It's an exciting time when your child shows the ability to pee in the potty!
This milestone is where your child can pee in the potty with some help from you. You may need to remind them to use the potty, encourage them to use it and help them to get on the potty, but the important part is the act of them using the potty. The Pull-Ups® Potty Training App ft. Disney Jr. supports each milestone. The app tracks progress, allowing you to log when your child was successful and unsuccessful with potty training.
Milestone 3: Staying Dry by Myself
You will know your little one has hit this milestone when they:
- Stay dry during the day
- Tell you before they urinate
- Enter the bathroom and pee by themselves
- Wipe by themselves
- Recognize when they have finished going
- Can communicate that they are done urinating
- Know how to aim at the potty correctly (boys)
- Appreciate the feeling of being dry
- Are aware of not wanting to have an accident and prioritize using the potty even if they were doing something more fun
Milestone 4: Staying Accident-Free with Prompting
This important milestone is reached when your child can urinate and have a bowel movement on the potty at home with you helping them and/or reminding them to go.
Milestone 5: Staying Accident-Free
Did they just take themselves to the potty without you saying a word? And stayed dry all afternoon? This is a major win!
When this milestone is reached, your child will:
- Stay accident-free for both urination and bowel movement during the day
- Enter the bathroom to pee or poop by themselves
- Be aware of not wanting to have an accident and prioritize using the potty even if they were doing something more fun
Milestone 6: Wiping
This milestone is reached when your child exhibits understanding that they need to wipe themselves after they go potty and are also able to clean themselves proficiently on their own.
Milestone 7: On-the-Go
By now, your child is consistently successful when using the potty at home. However, the real test is when routines are thrown off. Outings, playdates, and long car rides challenge their ability to recognize the need to go in unfamiliar environments.
At this milestone, your child may be able to:
- Communicate that they have to go when they are not home. They may still need your help with things like using the restroom door, using a travel potty seat, or using a toilet that is different from what they use at home
- Know how to open, close, and lock a restroom door outside of their home
- Know how to aim at the potty correctly (boys)
Once these seven milestones are achieved, it might mean your little one has a regular potty routine, feels confident about toileting, and knows that it’s just a part of life. Now all they need to learn is that practice makes perfect!
Make Potty Training Easier with Pull-Ups®
With Pull-Ups® Training Pants for Boys and Pull-Ups® Training Pants for Girls, you can feel confident with up to 100% leak-free protection.
Pull-Ups® now feature a new Learning Layer, which is designed to feel wet but stay dry, so kids notice wetness and every accident can be a motivational moment to make it to the potty next time. They provide up to 100% leak-free protection where children need it most to help prevent leaks and build confidence. Soft and comfortable, Pull-Ups® go up and down like underwear and are easy to change, even when standing, thanks to the convenient, refastenable sides.
CTA: Explore the world of potty training with confidence and fun by checking out the Potty with Pull-Ups® app featuring Disney Jr.! Designed to guide you and your child through each milestone with interactive support, engaging activities, and beloved Disney Jr. characters, this app transforms potty training into an exciting adventure. Download the Potty with Pull-Ups® app today and let Disney Jr. help make your child's potty training journey a magical experience!
