Early Potty Training a 1 Year Old
Want to start potty training a little early? If you feel like your child is ready, check out this guide on early potty training a 1 year old!
Let’s be clear: most kids don’t potty train at a year old.
Even those that do pee or poop in the toilet aren’t ready by the usual standards and still have plenty of accidents. Some can’t even say whether they need to pee or poop, and many still rely on the occasional pull-up or diaper. They use the potty every so often, but not as consistently just yet. It’s often a long process and requires plenty of patience.
So, why even consider potty training a 1 year old?
Your young toddler might express a genuine interest in using the potty and you’d like to take advantage of his curiosity and eagerness. You want to avoid the anxiety and stubbornness that can arise with older children.
Perhaps your goal is to save money on diapers and wipes (or at least keep them out of the landfill as much as possible). Or maybe you’re expecting a new baby and would like to avoid changing two kids’ dirty diapers.
No matter your reasons, it’s possible to start early—just keep in mind that it’s a different process from typical potty training.
Think of it this way: You can introduce it early, but it’s up to your child when he wants to learn. After all, you can’t make him use the potty if he doesn’t want to do. If anything, you can consider it a really gradual process of potty training.
Now, as tempting as it may be to start any time, try not to do so when he’s going through big changes. Wait either before or after any major changes so as not to overwhelm him. According to Raising Children:
“It’s best to start toilet training when you have no big changes coming up in your family life. Changes to avoid might include going on holiday, starting child care, having a new baby or moving house.”
Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t try, especially if you sense that he’s eager and curious. How can you potty train a 1 year old and introduce this concept in a positive way? Take a look at these tips:
Table of Contents
1. Bring your child with you when you use the bathroom
Kids follow what we do, not what we say, right? One of the best ways to help your toddler start using the potty is by bringing him with you to the bathroom every time you need to use it. And when you do, sit him on his potty chair while you sit on the toilet.
For one thing, this makes sitting on the potty a habit, considering that you likely go several times a day. He can also mimic what you do, even if he’s just sitting with his clothes on. And this gives you the chance to talk about potty use so he gets the concept of why you’re there.
By taking him with you when you go, you can explain what you’re doing so he gets the point a little better.
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2. Praise your child for “big kid” behavior
We all know to praise kids when they pee or poop. And we also know we should still congratulate them when they make progress (“Yay, you kept your underwear dry!”). But you can also acknowledge your child for behaving in “big kid” ways in general, not just during potty use.
Maybe he fed himself breakfast or cleaned up his toys like you asked him to. Perhaps he “helped” you set the table or grabbed books off the shelves to read on his own. Praise him for being an independent toddler, even if it doesn’t have anything to do with the potty.
That way, he learns that you value these behaviors and ties them to the times you praise him for using the potty.
3. Move diaper changes to the bathroom
Keeping the potty seat in the bathroom is a good way to cement the idea that peeing and pooping are done here. But what if you take it a step further and change your child’s diapers in the bathroom as well?
Whether he’s willing or able to sit on the potty doesn’t matter—changing his diapers in the bathroom can let him know that this is where potty-related activities belong. This also gives you a chance to easily dump poop from the diaper into the toilet and explain that this is where it belongs.
Because you don’t have the safety support of a changing table, change his diaper on a portable changing pad on the floor.
4. Use baby sign language
Want to get your child to tell you she has to go? Teach her how to make the signs for pee and poop! This is a fantastic way to introduce the potty to pre-verbal kids who are curious and interested.
The best way to teach these and any baby sign language is to make the sign when you normally say the word. No need to drill these signs over and over repetitively—simply make the sign when you say the words “pee” or “poop.”
Watch this quick video by Tiny Signs on how to make these signs.
5. Sit your child on the potty regularly
At this age, your child likely won’t pee or poop on the potty regularly, but that doesn’t mean you can’t sit him on the seat as part of your routine.
Maybe you sit him down before a bath when he’s already undressed, or first thing after naps or waking up in the morning (especially if his diaper is dry). And like we discussed earlier, sit him down every time you need to use the toilet to reinforce the idea that he can go, too.
If you decide to keep him bare bottom at home, sit him on the potty as soon as you see an accident. Even if he barely makes it in time (or misses it entirely), he can tie the sensation of peeing or pooping to going to the bathroom.
Ideally, he’s undressed when he sits so that he can actually pee or poop in the potty, but it’s okay if he prefers to be clothed for now. Just the idea of him getting used to sitting on the seat is plenty enough to help him feel comfortable.
You can also prolong the time he sits on the potty by providing books and toys. He can play with simple toys that are reserved for bathroom use, giving him more incentive to stay longer. And because he’s focused and relaxed, his body is more likely to pass bowel movements than if he were nervous or anxious.
6. Read children’s books about potty training
One of the best ways to introduce the concept of using the potty is to read children’s books. It’s one thing for mom or dad to talk about potty training, but a whole other thing to read about other characters going through the same experiences.
Reading books also gives you more opportunities to talk about it and how this applies to him. You can talk about the hurdles other characters go through and celebrate with them as they pee or poop in the potty.
And he learns that everyone uses the potty at some point. This isn’t something that only he has to go through, but that others do as well.
Conclusion
Early potty training is not for everyone. That said, if you think your child is interested, you could introduce certain concepts and habits to get him started.
For instance, sit him on the potty every time you need to use the bathroom. Praise him not just for potty success, but for general “big kid” behavior. Change diapers in the bathroom, and teach him in sign language. Integrate sitting into your daily routine, and read children’s books about the potty.
Most importantly, listen to his cues and approach the process with patience and understanding—this might look different than your typical potty training.
Most kids don’t potty train at a year old. But who knows—you just might save yourself several diaper changes along the way.
Get more tips:
- Your Toddler Refuses to Sit on the Potty? Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Worry
- 8 Simple Ways to Start Preparing for Potty Training
- Potty Training Twins: The Ultimate Guide
- Is Your Toddler Afraid to Poop in the Potty? 7 Tricks You Can Try
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