Introduction
This is one of the questions all parents ask themselves sooner or later: at what age should you introduce your baby to the potty? And above all, how can you support them without pressure, setbacks, or turning this learning process into a source of stress for the whole family? This article draws on the recommendations of the French Society of Pediatrics (SFP) and data from developmental medicine to provide clear, practical, evidence-based answers.
1. What science says: the age of toilet training
The French Society of Pediatrics is clear: children acquire control of their sphincters between 24 and 48 months. The neurological and muscular maturity required varies significantly from one child to another.
Three physiological conditions must be met:
1. Physiological maturity: sensing bladder or rectal pressure. The necessary nervous system is not mature until around 15–18 months.
2. Cognitive maturity: understanding the connection between the sensation and the action to take.
3. Emotional maturity: being in a sufficiently secure emotional state to accept this new expectation.
Starting too early does not save time. A study by NJ Blum (Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics) involving 378 children demonstrated this: the age at which toilet training is acquired is not correlated with how early training began—it is correlated with the child's maturity.
2. Signs that your baby is ready
- Stays dry for 1 to 2 hours at a time
- Tells you after they have peed or pooped
- Imitates adults or other children in the bathroom
- Shows curiosity about the potty or toilet
- Can partially undress independently
- Walks steadily
Most children show these signs between 18 and 30 months. Daytime toilet training is generally achieved within 2 to 6 weeks once the child is truly ready. Nighttime dryness typically follows an average of 6 months after daytime dryness.
3. Choosing the right potty: the criteria that matter
Stability: the potty should remain firmly in place when the child sits down, pushes, and stands up.
Comfort: the edge should be rounded and the seating surface sufficiently wide.
Adaptability: a 3-in-1 potty like our Treelys Grow-With-Me Baby Potty supports the child for several years—an independent potty, then a toilet seat reducer with a removable soft cushion, and finally a non-slip step stool: 3-in-1 grow-with-me baby potty
Free from harmful substances: BPA-free, phthalate-free, and certified to CE, REACH, and ASTM F963 standards.
4. The practical stages of toilet training
Phase 1 — Familiarization: introduce the potty as an ordinary household object. Let your child sit on it while dressed and play near it. The goal is for the potty to become familiar rather than threatening.
Phase 2 — First sessions: offer the potty at regular times (after waking up, after meals, before bath time). Do not leave your child on the potty for more than 3–5 minutes.
Phase 3 — Underwear: switch to underwear during waking hours at home. Accidents are inevitable—never punish your child. Simply say: next time, you can try going on the potty.
Phase 4 — Transition to the toilet: introduce the toilet seat reducer. The step stool is essential so your child can climb up independently and place their feet flat on the floor (the pressure of the feet against the floor helps with abdominal pushing).
5. What you should never do
- Punish or scold your child after an accident
- Compare them with other children (normal variation ranges from 24 to 48 months)
- Force your child to stay on the potty
- Start during a period of change (moving house, the arrival of a new baby, starting daycare)
- Give up too quickly during a regression
6. Consistency between home and daycare
If your child attends daycare or is cared for by a childminder, coordinate your approach with the professionals. Consistency between the two environments (the same words, attitude, and schedule) significantly speeds up the process.
Conclusion
Toilet training is acquired when the child is ready. Your role is to create the right conditions—a suitable, comfortable potty: 3-in-1 grow-with-me baby potty, a supportive attitude, and a predictable routine. Treelys About Us page: our approach
