What Age Should I Start Potty Training My Toddler? An Expert Explains

Potty training can feel like one of the biggest milestones of toddlerhood and one of the most confusing. Some parents are told to wait until age 2.5. Others are told to start at 18 months or even birth. Some toddlers show an interest early, while others couldn’t care less about the toilet. So… when should you start potty training?

After 14 years as a nanny and working with dozens of families, I’ve seen firsthand that it is a lot easier during a certain window, and it's probably earlier than you’ve been told...

The Problem with Waiting “Until They’re Ready”

Many parents are told to “wait until your child is ready” before starting potty training — but what does ready really mean?

Often, people take it to mean:

• Using full sentences

• Telling you when they need a clean nappy

• Staying dry for long periods

• Hiding and wanting privacy to poo

But here’s something most people don’t realise:
👉 The widely accepted list of “readiness signs” were popularised by research funded by a nappy company. 
I'll repeat that, the idea of waiting until a child is ready to potty train came about because a nappy company funded the marketing and research to support this idea.

It’s true — some of the studies that influenced modern potty training timelines were funded by disposable nappy brands, who naturally had a vested interest in children staying in nappies longer. 

Before that, most children were potty trained between 18 and 24 months and earlier was the norm.

That doesn’t mean we should return to harsh or rushed methods previously used to potty train. But it does mean we should question whether “wait until they’re ready” is really about your child’s development, or about selling more nappies...

In reality, most children are physically and developmentally capable of starting potty training well before age 2.5. By 18–20 months, many toddlers can:

• Walk confidently

• Sit and stand independently

• Follow simple instructions

• Show interest in what others are doing (yes — including on the toilet!)

These are the foundational skills needed to begin.

Why Is Starting Around 18–20 Months Ideal?

At this age, toddlers are curious, eager to copy, and not yet in the stage of strong-willed independence that can make toilet training harder. Starting early doesn’t mean pressuring your child. It means introducing the toilet as a normal part of life and supporting them as they learn gradually.

In my experience, children who begin learning around 18–20 months often:

• Avoid power struggles

• Master the toilet more naturally

• Experience fewer regressions later on

It’s less about “training” in the traditional sense and more about toilet learning — something they learn over time, like feeding themselves or putting on shoes.

But Won’t That Take Longer?

It might — and that’s okay.
Early potty training is often a slower, gentler process, but it becomes part of your daily rhythm. You’re not waiting for some magic readiness milestone, you’re building skills gradually, which is far less stressful for everyone.

Think of it like getting dressed. You don’t wait until your toddler can do it alone perfectly before having them try, you start introducing the idea and gradually they become more capable over time. 

So… What is the “Best” Age?

Here’s my honest answer:
➡️ The best age to start potty training is often around 18–24 months.

You don’t have to wait until they ask to use the toilet or hate being wet. If your toddler is walking, following simple instructions, it’s a great time to begin.

And yes — even if your child is just 19 or 20 months, it’s not “too early.” You can start slow and steady, with no pressure.