They say timing is everything—and when it comes to potty training, that couldn’t be more true.
I knew the day would come when nappies would be a thing of the past, but like most parents, I wasn’t exactly sure when or how to start. Was my daughter, Lucia, ready? Was I ready? Potty training felt like a milestone wrapped in equal parts excitement and anxiety.
So, rather than winging it, I turned to a potty training coach for expert guidance. The result was a structured 14-day potty training preparation plan designed to ease Lucia (and me) into this new phase—without the pressure, stress, or chaos I’d heard so many parents warn me about..
Is Your Little One Ready? Signs to Look For
Not all toddlers are ready to potty train at the same time. Some show signs as early as 18 months, while others aren’t interested until closer to three. Here are a few key indicators that helped me determine Lucia was ready to start:
✔ Stays dry for longer periods – If your child is keeping their diaper dry for at least two hours at a time, their bladder control is improving.
✔ Shows interest in the bathroom – Watching you use the toilet, asking questions, or wanting to flush are all good signs.
✔ Can follow simple instructions – If they can understand and respond to simple cues like “Let’s wash your hands,” they’re likely ready for potty steps.
✔ Tells you when they’re wet or dirty – Some toddlers will point to their diaper or even try to remove it after going.
✔ Predictable potty habits – If you notice your child tends to go at certain times of the day (like after meals), it’s easier to introduce a routine.
✔ Dislikes wearing a wet or dirty diaper – If they ask for a change or seem uncomfortable, they may be ready for the next step.
Since Lucia was showing most of these signs, I felt confident about starting our potty training prep.
The 14-Day Potty Prep Plan
Before we even introduced the potty, the goal was to make the entire process feel positive, familiar, and fun. Here’s what our preparation schedule looked like:
Week 1: Building Comfort & Routine
(Focus: Making the environment inviting, increasing nappy-free time, and encouraging fun potty sits)
Day 1: Introducing the Potty
- Morning: Let Lucia help decorate the potty with stickers.
- Mid-morning: Place the potty in a comfortable area. Introduce her potty basket with books, sensory toys, and bubbles.
- Afternoon: First nappy-free time for 5-10 minutes after a nappy change. Encourage her to feel comfortable.
- Evening: Change her nappy standing up, have her throw it away, and wave goodbye to the poo in the toilet.
Day 2: First Fun Sits
- Morning: Short, playful potty sit after a nappy change—read a book while she sits.
- Mid-morning: Another 10-minute nappy-free time. If she wees, acknowledge it and remind her, “Wee goes in the potty!”
- Afternoon: Play a toilet song or use flashcards about potty routines.
- Evening: More standing nappy changes, encouraging independence.
Day 3: Making Potty Time Fun – NURSERY DAY
- Morning: Short potty sit while blowing bubbles. No pressure, just fun!
- Mid-morning: 15 minutes of nappy-free time. Place the potty nearby.
- Afternoon: Change her poo nappy, let her plop it in the toilet, and flush. Celebrate!
- Evening: Read a potty book together.
Day 4: Encouraging More Independence
- Morning: Lucia helps choose an item from her potty basket while sitting on the potty.
- Mid-morning: 15-20 minutes of nappy-free time. Observe her reactions.
- Afternoon: Encourage her to pull up her trousers after a standing nappy change.
- Evening: Fun potty sit before bath time with a silly face contest.
Day 5: Expanding Comfort with the Potty
- Morning: Quick sit on the potty while making rhythm patterns with claps.
- Mid-morning: 20 minutes of nappy-free time. Place the potty close by.
- Afternoon: Toilet song and flashcard time.
- Evening: More involvement in flushing poo and saying goodbye.
Day 6: More Interaction with the Potty
- Morning: Sit on the potty while looking at a photo book.
- Mid-morning: 25 minutes of nappy-free time. Remind her gently about the potty.
- Afternoon: Encourage Lucia to say, “Bye-bye poo!” when flushing.
- Evening: Read a book about potty training before bed.
Day 7: Celebrating Progress
- Morning: Fun potty sit after a nappy change, blowing water through a straw.
- Mid-morning: 30 minutes of nappy-free time, increasing her awareness.
- Afternoon: Let her pick a sticker for sitting on the potty.
- Evening: Celebrate her progress with lots of praise.
Week 2: Increasing Awareness & Readiness
(Focus: Longer nappy-free time, reinforcing routine, and celebrating small wins)
Day 8: Practicing More Sits
- Morning: Quick potty sit with a book.
- Mid-morning: 30-40 minutes of nappy-free time. Observe her reactions.
- Afternoon: Play a toilet song and do flashcards.
- Evening: Encourage her to help carry the potty to the toilet if she wees in it.
Day 9: Positive Reinforcement
- Morning: Fun potty sit after a nappy change, making animal sounds together.
- Mid-morning: 40 minutes of nappy-free time. Praise any awareness of needing to go.
- Afternoon: Encourage her to throw her nappy away independently.
- Evening: Read a potty training book.
Day 10: Longer Nappy-Free Periods
- Morning: Potty sit while looking at stickers together.
- Mid-morning: 45 minutes of nappy-free time. If she wees, remind her, “Wee goes in the potty!”
- Afternoon: Continue standing nappy changes and independence in dressing.
- Evening: Potty time before bath.
Day 11: Encouraging More Awareness
- Morning: Potty sit with silly faces.
- Mid-morning: 50 minutes of nappy-free time.
- Afternoon: Praise any awareness of needing to go.
- Evening: Play a toilet song before bedtime.
Day 12: Celebrating Small Wins
- Morning: Quick potty sit while playing with a sensory toy.
- Mid-morning: 1 hour of nappy-free time.
- Afternoon: Flashcards and toilet song practice.
- Evening: Keep encouraging her to flush and say goodbye to poo.
Day 13: Almost Ready!
- Morning: Fun potty sit after breakfast.
- Mid-morning: 1 hour of nappy-free time. Praise any signs of progress!
- Afternoon: Let her pick a reward sticker for any effort.
- Evening: Encourage potty time before bath again.
Day 14: Wrapping Up Preparation
- Morning: Celebrate her progress so far! Fun potty sit with a book.
- Mid-morning: 1 hour of nappy-free time.
- Afternoon: Let her pick her favorite potty basket toy to play with.
- Evening: Discuss starting full potty training soon and make it exciting!
