Common Potty Training Mistakes & How To Avoid Them

November 5, 2025

Key Takeaways

We are here to help you know about how to potty train your child without stress or tears.
We will help you spot the early signs that your child is ready for potty training.
We will guide you to avoid common potty training mistakes that most parents make.
At last, we will let you know about some gentle and positive potty training techniques that can actually work with your little one.

Introduction

If you're standing at the start line of your kids' potty training, well, then let me tell you, it's not as scary as it sounds. Yes, there will be accidents. Yes, you'll clean up more than you'd like to. But it's all part of the ride.

Whether you're figuring out how to potty train your child or wondering how to potty train a baby, the biggest thing to remember is that there's no perfect timeline. Every little one learns differently, and that's completely fine.

And while you're at it, make sure your child feels comfortable in the best innerwear for kids with us, because feeling cosy and dry makes a big difference for kids during this phase.

Why Potty Training Can Be Challenging For Kids

Let's be honest, going from nappies to the potty is a pretty big deal. It's new, it's strange, and sometimes it's scary for your kids. Some children get the hang of it in a week, others take a few months. And that's perfectly normal.

A gentle parenting potty training approach can help you a lot. Instead of pushing or forcing your kid, you're guiding your child patiently, with empathy and trust, with these reward system ideas for potty training success of your child.

And if you've ever lost your cool mid-training, well, we've all been there. A lack of patience during potty training your kid is common, but the good news is, it's fixable.

Signs To Know When To Start Potty Training

Before you even think about dashing to the potty aisle, look out for the early signs your child is ready for potty training. Here's what you might notice:

Your child stays dry for a couple of hours at a stretch.
They start showing interest in what happens in the bathroom.
They can pull their pants up and down on their own.
They tell you when they've done a wee or a poo.

If you're wondering when to start potty training or when to start potty training your baby, the short answer to this question is that when they're ready. For most kids, that's somewhere between 18 months and 3 years.

So instead of focusing on at what age your child should be fully potty-trained, focus on the signs. Trust me, it'll make the process smoother for you.

(And once your little one ditches nappies, switch to some soft baby girl innerwear from Kiko Riko. These innerwear items are specially made to help your kid feel all grown up and confident.)

How To Potty Train Your Child Effectively

Alright, let's talk about how you can train your child effectively and easily. Learning how to potty train your child is more about patience than perfection.

Here are a few positive potty training techniques that you can use. These techniques will genuinely help you:

Keep a routine. Take your child to the potty at regular times, like after their meals, before their naps, and before you take them to bed.
Communicate clearly. Explain what's happening in simple words to your child. That's effective communication during potty training, which will help you during this phase of your child's development.
Celebrate effort. Don't wait for perfect success of our kid learning to use the potty. You have to cheer them on for trying.
Reward the wins. Use simple reward system ideas for potty training the success of your kid, like stickers, stories, or high-fives.

Remember, consistency and encouragement will do more magic than any fancy training seat you could ever use.

Common Potty Training Mistakes Parents Make

Even the most patient parents slip up sometimes and make mistakes. And that's okay! Here are the most common potty training mistakes and what you can do differently for your little one.

Starting Too Early

It's tempting to start as soon as your child hits a certain age, but forcing potty training too early with your child can cause them more setbacks than successes.

How To Correct: Wait for readiness cues from your kids. Starting too soon can make your child resist. A few extra months of waiting can save you weeks of frustration.

Inconsistency

One day you're all in, the next you're too busy, and that's how your child ends up confused.

How To Correct: Keep a predictable routine. Make sure you are at the same time, and training them for the same potty. Repetition builds comfort and confidence, and it will only help your little one to learn.

(And when your little boy starts feeling proud of himself, reward him with our new innerwear for boys. It will surely make them feel all grown-up!)

Punishing Potty Training Accidents

Well, we all know that accidents happen. That's actually normal. That's how your kids will learn. So, getting angry or disappointed with them doesn't help either of you.

How To Correct: Stay calm. Clean up the mess, reassure your kid, and move on. That's it. Just remember that progress doesn't mean perfection.

Unrealistic Expectations

Are you seriously thinking your child will master their potty training in just three days? Well, maybe. But probably not with all the kids.

How To Correct: Every child learns differently. Therefore, for your child, you can set small goals and celebrate each step with them. This is not a race, and there's no trophy for fastest trained toddler. Remember that.

Using Diapers or Training Pants for Too Long

We know that diapers or training pants are convenient, for sure. However, they can slow down progress once your child is ready for potty training.

How To Correct: All you can do is gradually phase them out. Try not to use these things when you see the early signs of your child being ready for their potty training.

You can switch to cotton underwear, like our boys' trunk, so they can feel the difference and learn faster.

Comparing Your Child to Others During Potty Training

"Your cousin was trained at 18 months!" Sound familiar? Please don't do this to yourself (or your child).

How To Correct: Every child has their own pace, their own way to learn things. You can't force them to be like someone else. That's why focus on your journey. Your comparison only adds unnecessary pressure to your kid.

Over-Scheduling

If you've packed your week with activities, well then, obviously, potty training might take a backseat.

How To Correct: All you have to do is set aside a few slower days at home. So that you can easily focus on your child's cues. The fewer the distractions you have, the quicker the results you will see with your kids' potty training.

And once you're through this milestone, we are here to help you celebrate with our comfy, breathable underwear, like hipster underwear, because after all this training, your little one deserves it!

Making It a Power Struggle

Potty training for kids shouldn't feel like a tug-of-war. Every child has different needs, different speeds to grasp things and different methods to do something.

How To Correct: You can just offer your kid some choices. Let your child decide when they're ready to try. Always make sure that you keep it light, playful, and positive.

(When they finally nail it, a new kids camisole or even their favourite undie can be a fun little reward for their success!)

At the end of the day, potty training for kids isn't about perfection or how much less time your kid took. It's about the progress they made. The things they learned. Some days will go smoothly, others might test your patience, but in the end, it all comes together eventually. You've got this, and so does your little one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the problems with potty training?

Most potty training challenges come when you try to do things a bit too soon. During potty training for your kids, some of you start being inconsistent, or you start expecting too much too quickly from your little one. Well, that's not how they will learn. To make your kids' potty training a success, keep your calm, and it will all click eventually.

How often should I take my child to the potty during training?

Okay, so you should try to take your child to the potty training every two to three hours. You'll soon notice your child's natural pattern and know the right time for them.

How long should my child sit on the potty each time?

Your child should only sit for about five minutes on the potty each time. If nothing happens, don't force them to go. You can just try again.

What’s the best way to respond after a potty training accident?

The best way to respond after a potty training accident is by taking a deep breath and reminding yourself that this is normal. Accidents are going to happen, and they are the learning moments, not failures.

Should I reward my child for using the potty successfully?

Yes! When your child is successfully using the potty, then make sure you reward them. You can use simple praise, stickers, or have a storytime for them. These kinds of praises work wonders. Big rewards aren't necessary. Your encouragement means the most to your kid.

What is the best advice for potty training?

The best advice for potty training your kid is to be patient. All you have to do is have some patience and stay positive. The more relaxed you are, the faster your child will feel confident.

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