Potty Training Twins: The Ultimate Guide

Learn about potty training twins, from when to start, how to prepare, and what to do when one child isn’t ready.

Potty Training TwinsFew things felt as glorious as the day I was finally able to toss the changing pad and covers away for good.

By then, my twins no longer wore diapers during the day. I couldn’t even remember the last time I bought baby wipes.

They were officially potty trained.

But the process was a little more complex. You may have questions about potty training twins as well. When do you start? How do you know they’re ready? What do you do if one twin is ready and the other isn’t? Is it possible to potty train over the weekend, or is it better to do it gradually?

You may even have been fielding questions from family and friends who ask whether your twins should be potty trained “by now.” And with two toddlers to contend with, typical potty training advice for singletons may not always cut it.

Rest assured, we’ll go over all the details you’ll need for potty training twins. We’ll talk about:

  • How to prepare for potty training, long before you even sit your twins down to a potty.
  • How to potty train twins, from a short, three-day method to a more gradual one.
  • Frequently asked questions about potty training twins.
  • Best practices for potty training twins, including tips and obstacles you might run into.

Let’s get started!

gradual potty training

How to prepare for potty training twins

Potty training—even if done over a weekend—isn’t something you spring on your twins out of the blue. Preparation starts long before you even sit them on a potty to pee.

By introducing them to the potty, you’re making them more comfortable with the idea of pooping and peeing out of their diapers. That way, as you make your way to get them to use the potty, the idea won’t be so foreign.

Here are a few ways to prepare for potty training twins:

1. Buy the potties and let your twins sit and get comfortable on them

Talk about their new potty seat and how they too can start using the potty like mom or dad. Let them sit on the potties, even clothed, to “practice” the motion of sitting down. If they’re willing, they can sit down on the potty with a diaper or even undressed to further get them used to it.

That said, you may have heard to let them play with a new, unused potty to get them even more excited about it. This might mean taking it to the living room, putting it on their heads during a silly game, or using it as props for imaginative play.

But I disagree. While you should introduce the potty as an exciting new gear, don’t allow them to use them for play. You don’t want to give the impression that they can play with the potty now when you’ll likely not have them play with it when you start potty training.

This is confusing and unfair to expect them to switch gears all of a sudden. They might even resent potty training as the event that prevented them from being able to play with the potties like they used to.

Instead, make the potty fun, but have their interactions with it appropriate. The potty should stay in the bathroom (or wherever you decide to leave it long-term—I suggest the bathroom for easy clean-up).

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2. Read books about the potty

I’m a huge fan of turning to children’s books any time I want to introduce a new concept to my kids. Borrow books from your local library about using the potty. They’ll love looking at different characters and how they interact with potties.

3. Introduce (and hype up) undies

Now is the perfect time to buy or introduce undies to your twins, even if they won’t wear them regularly. They understand that adults and big kids wear undies and can be eager to know they’ll soon be wearing them too.

Start with training pants with thicker protection, as these can help them transition from diapers to undies much better.

4. Dump hard poop from diapers into the toilet

Even though it’s more convenient to toss a disgusting used diaper into the trash, if you can, toss the poop into the toilet first.

Let’s say they pooped in their diaper, and it’s not too messy. Take them with you to the bathroom and let them see you dump the poop into the toilet. This reinforces the idea that poop can go into the toilet too.

5. Take your twins with you to the bathroom

If you’re not shy about having an audience, take your twins, even one at a time, with you as you use the bathroom.

For many of us, this is already a recurring theme in our homes, but if not, it’s a good idea to have them see you using the toilet. They can understand that the potty is for everyone to use, which is why adults and big kids don’t use diapers.

Get more tips on preparing for potty training.

preparing for potty training

How to potty train twins

Now that you know when to start and have even begun to prepare, below are a few ways to potty train your twins. I’ll begin by sharing a general way to potty train, then follow it up with a three-day method as well.

I also suggest transitioning your twins into pull-ups. They’re much easier to pull up and down and mimic the same motions of undies in ways a diaper doesn’t.

1. Create a routine for using the potty

Even if your twins are still in diapers or pull-ups, create a routine of using the potty.

For instance, every morning when they wake up, have them sit on the potty to release any pee they may have. Keep doing this, even if they have nothing to pee.

Then, repeat the same process for other transition periods during the day. Waking up and peeing is something you and I do every day, so taking them at that time makes sense. You can also take them before or after:

  • Taking a nap
  • Eating a meal or snack
  • Taking a bath
  • Leaving or coming back to the house

Not only are you creating a consistent routine they can expect, but you’re also doing so at moments anyone would likely use the toilet.

Another benefit of taking them at regular times is that it increases the chances of actually peeing. You can have more chances of them peeing if you take them every few hours than if you do so erratically.

Get tips on what to do when your 4 year old won’t poop on the potty.

4 year old won’t poop on potty

2. Look for cues that your twins want to pee

Your twins may not tell you that they have to pee. Instead, rely on cues to let you know. Does one child run to a particular corner when he has to poop? Does the other seem anxious or worried? Maybe they tiptoe across the room or dash to their bedroom when they feel an urge.

When you see these cues, don’t ask if they have to pee. Take them to the potty and say, “Looks like you have to pee! Let’s try it in the potty.” And if they resist using the potty, even if it results in an accident, don’t be upset. This is all normal, and accidents will happen.

The number of accidents shouldn’t determine whether they’re catching on or not. Accidents are going to happen, especially in the beginning. Don’t make them feel terrible about an accident (it was an accident, after all).

Get more tips on handling potty training accidents.

3. Dress your twins in comfortable clothes

With so much undressing, keep your twins in comfortable clothes. Choose loose elastic pants or shorts they can pull up and down and avoid buttons or hard fabric like jeans. And dress them in short tops instead of long ones that can get in the way as they try to pee.

And since you should expect a few accidents, keep a good stash of clothes ready to switch into when they happen. Keep an eye on your laundry to make sure you don’t need to run an emergency load because you ran out of clothes.

4. Potty training twins in three days

Potty training your twins at the same time over three days is another option. This can work well if they’ve shown no resistance to using the potty, but aren’t exactly excited about it, either. This method relies on keeping them bare-bottomed—no undies, pull-ups, or even pants.

By being bare-bottomed, they can be aware of their urges to pee and what happens when they do. Up to this point, they may not even be aware of what pee looks like coming out of their bodies, or how it feels to be undressed and accidentally peeing.

Read an in-depth article about the three-day potty training process here.

Potty Training in Three Days

Frequently asked questions about potty training twins

With so many factors involved in potty training twins, having questions is common for many parents. Below, I answer a few of the most popular ones I’ve received:

1. What age should you start potty training twins?

The window to potty training twins is wide and varies with each child. Some children use the potty at 18 months, while others aren’t potty trained until three or four years old.

When your twins potty train shows no sign of intellectual ability or advancement. A child who learns to use the potty at 18 months old isn’t more advanced than the one who learns later.

The best gauge? Not age, but readiness. Speaking of which…

2. What are the signs of potty training readiness?

The best way to know when your twins are ready to potty train is to look for the signs that show they are. But what exactly are these signs? Take a look at a few common behaviors that tell you they’re likely ready to start. They…

  • Ask for a diaper change
  • Hide in a private place to poop
  • Have dry diapers when they would normally have been wet
  • Feel or say they’re uncomfortable in diapers
  • Can pull their pants up and down

The best way to know when they’re not ready for potty training? They cry or resist the process.

Don’t force potty training, as this usually leads to regression, resentment, and inefficiency (it just won’t work as well). If either of them cries at the thought of letting go of their diapers, wait a week or two before suggesting potty training again.

3. Should you potty train twins together or at different times?

As is often the case, the challenge with having twins is the fact that there are two of them! Unlike singletons or even close-aged siblings, twins are going through similar developmental stages.

So, do you potty train them together, or at different times? What do you do when one twin is ready to potty train but the other isn’t?

I suggest first trying to potty train at the same time. This can encourage the less-inclined child to follow suit. For instance, Twin A might be more eager than Twin B, but his enthusiasm can encourage Twin B to give it a try as well.

You’re also making it more convenient for yourself, with both of them potty training at the same time rather than one at a time.

And forcing a willing twin to wait is just as bad: Don’t hold back his desire to use the potty because the other twin isn’t ready.

Even if one twin doesn’t seem as willing or hasn’t caught on as well as the other, offer to potty train at the same time. The less-inclined twin may take to potty training if he sees his twin leading by example.

Read more about how to encourage individuality with twins.

4. What if one twin is ready to potty train but the other isn’t?

That said, trying to time potty training simultaneously can also have its drawbacks. Forcing a twin who isn’t ready can lead to struggles and ineffective potty training.

So, if the less-inclined twin starts to cry or shows no readiness regardless of the other twin’s potty eagerness, start with one twin. We need to treat our twins as individuals, not as a unit, especially when it comes to developmental milestones like potty training.

And of course, if both twins resist, then don’t start any formal potty training until one or both are ready.

Check out 6 signs your child is not ready for potty training.

5. How many potties do you need for twins?

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

When I potty trained my twins, I already had an older child whom I had also potty trained. Even though he was an only child, I bought two potties and saved both of them. One was a floor potty he started on, and another was a toilet seat attachment.

So yes, my twins started with two potties, but they were different kinds. I didn’t see the need to have two floor potties and two toilet attachments when I already had one of each to start with.

That said, it did come with its disadvantages, including the inability of whoever was using the toilet attachment to use it quickly. He’d have to climb the step, turn around, then hold onto the toilet seat to stay balanced. Meanwhile, the floor potty allowed for easy access without the need to hold onto anything.

Later, as they outgrew the floor potty, the toilet attachment then became the preferred seat to use and much easier to clean. A few times, the twins had to wait or make do with the smaller floor potty when they both had to go.

All that to say that you may not need to buy two of the same types of potties. Both your twins may not need to use the potty at the same time. Even if you have them use it every morning, you’ll still likely take them one at a time.

And buy two toilet attachments only if you think they’ll be using two toilets in your home (like one in their bathroom and another in the master bathroom). Otherwise, you’re fine with buying one.

My best rule of thumb with buying things? Buy as you go. You may find that you’re fine with even one floor potty for now. See whether two are even necessary, or if you’re okay with one (especially if they aren’t potty training at the same time).

Get two if you do need both, but at least you’ll know after having tried getting by with one.

I loved both the floor and toilet potties I bought for all three kids, and both are from Baby Bjorn. The floor potty is easy to clean, and the toilet attachment adjusts to different-sized seats:

I also suggest getting a step stool for the toilet attachment so your twins can learn to step up on their own instead of being carried. Plus, they can use a step for an important part of potty training: washing their hands.

6. Should your twins use undies or pull-ups?

At the beginning of gradual potty training, you can start with pull-ups, especially if you expect a lot of accidents. But eventually, you’ll want your twins comfortable using undies as well.

Once you notice they’ve had dry or drier pull-ups, begin putting them in undies, especially if you’ll be at home. Even if the undies get wet or stained, they can give them a better sensation of what it feels like to have an accident. This can encourage them to let you know when they feel the urge to pee.

And if you’re doing the three-day potty training method, then it’s best to ditch the pull-ups and go with potty training undies, at least during the day.

3 Year Old Wetting Pants During Day

Best practices for potty training twins

Potty training is a process both kids and adults have to go through. Take a look at several best practices to make it a positive and effective experience:

1. Don’t compare your twins

As we all know, it’s all too easy to compare our twins. But avoid comparing one twin to the other, especially when it comes to potty training. Each child develops differently, and one shouldn’t be made to feel bad because he isn’t catching on as quickly as his brother.

Instead, compare each child’s progress with his own. Praise him for having a dry pair of undies, since the last time it was wet. Point out that he peed in the potty twice today compared to the last few days.

Learn more about the dangers of comparing kids.

2. Avoid using rewards

Potty training is notorious for rewards, from stickers to trinkets to toys. But there are many reasons why you shouldn’t reward kids, even with potty training.

Sure, rewards might work, especially in the beginning. Kids are mesmerized by the shiny new things they get if they pee or poop. But these new things fizzle, leaving you with either a potty regression or kids who demand better rewards to keep their work up.

When my eldest began potty training, I’d draw stars on his “pee pee poster.” And while each star kept him motivated initially, after a while, he began to care less about the poster, undoing much of the progress he had made.

When I removed the poster and replaced it with simple praise, he began to show progress once again. So, when it was time to potty train the twins, I did away with rewards completely.

Reward charts are especially dangerous with twins, as they see a visual gauge of how they stack up against each other. While some enjoy friendly competition, many children can feel discouraged if they aren’t catching on as well as their sibling.

3. Praise your twins’ effort

Instead of rewards, use praise, but in a smart way.

First, it’s okay to reduce the amount of praise you give, especially once your twins have begun to master potty training. It’s only natural to stop praising once they get a hang of it.

And praise for effort, not just for a successful pee. This means praising them as much for trying to pee as you would for peeing. You should praise them when they:

  • Sit down to pee, even if nothing comes out
  • Tell you they have need to potty
  • Tell you they have poop in their pull up
  • Go to the bathroom, especially on their initiative
  • Wear undies instead of pull-ups
  • Pull their pants up and down

4. Don’t give your twins a deadline

With so many preschools only accepting potty-trained kids, it’s tempting to give your twins a deadline. As much as possible, don’t. Everyone develops differently. One child may not be ready to potty train at two years old, even if other kids—or even his twin—can. Deadlines only make potty training more stressful.

Sure, you could introduce potty training early enough to get them used to it. But don’t get upset if they don’t take to it as smoothly as you had hoped for, or by the time you needed them to. Encourage potty training, but always follow their lead.

5. Avoid punishing your twins for accidents

Our patience for accidents is pretty high in the beginning. We’ve braced ourselves for the worst and we knew they were bound to happen.

But after a while, that patience begins to wane. We get tired when they keep making the same “mistakes,” when they don’t seem to listen, or when we’ve just about had it with cleaning up yet another mess.

As much as possible, don’t give your twins a hard time about accidents. This is not only unfair, but it also makes them feel bad about something they may have no control over yet.

This doesn’t mean you’ll be chipper about every accident. You can feel and express disappointment, but don’t blame them for potty training accidents that are only normal and expected.

Even if they’ve had a great run, don’t give them a hard time when an accident happens. I’d lose my temper during those times especially. I assumed they should know by now not to have accidents, so when one would happen, I’d get upset.

But they’re human, like you and I are. Imagine if someone got on our case for every mistake we made, even though we “should’ve known better.” Be patient, especially with the potty training process. Nothing is ever as clear as day and night with kids.

6. Come prepared when you’re out and about

Eventually, you’ll brave the outdoors and take your twins—in undies!—to an outing. Whether it’s a quick walk to the park or an errand to run, come prepared with your potty training tools:

  • Extra shirts, pants, undies, socks, and pull-ups
  • Baby wipes to wipe any messes
  • Dirty towels and rags
  • Bags to toss wipes and diapers or contain soiled clothes
  • Hand sanitizer

p.s. Check out Potty Superhero by Mabel Forsyth, a children’s book to show your twins how to use the potty:

Potty Superhero by Mabel Forsyth

Conclusion

Whew! We covered a lot. Potty training twins is possible, especially when you know when to start and how to find the cues that signal your twins are ready. Treat each twin individually and encourage potty training only when they’re ready, even if you potty train at different times.

Even long before you decide to start, introduce potty training and prepare them for the process so the concept doesn’t seem foreign. And follow best practices to make the experience not only effective but a positive one as well.

Get more tips:

Don’t forget: Join my newsletter and sign up for the free 5-day email mini-course, Peaceful Potty Training:

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2 Comments

  1. My biggest struggle with parenting is getting my oldest twin (4 years old) to potty train and follow directions. I have concerns with his language understanding. It’s just frustrating because his twin brother got it so easily. And it’s so hard not to compare them!

    1. Nina Garcia says:

      It’s definitely rough when kids hit a snag with potty training, on top of being a twin where you can compare them to each other. I’m glad you’re aware of the downsides of comparing, even if it doesn’t make it stop completely. They really are different people, and many parents also compare siblings, like when an older sibling took to potty training much easier than the second, for instance. It’s totally natural, but still not a good idea.

      Hopefully the tips you get in this article will help. A lot of the times, the more we back off, the more they’ll finally take to potty training and it’ll “click.” Hang in there, mama!