Potty Training in Three Days

Potty Training in 3 Days: What Worked for Us

Potty training can feel like a daunting milestone, but with the right preparation and consistency, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming! Last year right at Hayden’s 2nd birthday, we potty trained Hayden in just three days and it was so successful! I wanted to share what worked for us in hopes that it can help you if you are navigating this season of parenthood!

Preparation is Key

Before we started the actual potty training process, we spent a couple of weeks preparing Hayden. Here’s what we did:

• Read potty training books – This helped introduce the concept in a fun and engaging way.
• Watched the Daniel Tiger potty episode – This was a huge hit and really reinforced what we were teaching.
• Took the Big Little Feelings potty training course – Eric and I wanted to be on the same page so that we handled every aspect consistently, even when we weren’t together.
• Modeled the potty process – We let Hayden come to the bathroom with us and narrated what we were doing to normalize the process.

Day 1: Saying Goodbye to Diapers

The morning of potty training, we told Hayden it was his last day wearing diapers and said a final “bye-bye” to them. From that point on, we never put a diaper on.

• We started with no diaper and no underwear so he could clearly feel when he needed to go and we could see if he was starting to have an accident.
• We had a small portable potty nearby at all times and anytime he started to go, we quickly placed him on the potty. Using the language “pee pee (or poo poo) goes in the potty” We would never say “its ok” or “accident”. We simply said “pee pee or poo poo goes in the potty”.
• We watched him closely all day with no other plans or distractions.
• Every few minutes, we reminded him that the potty was close by if he needed it.
• For nap time and bedtime, we used a pull-up but we call them “sleep undies” to avoid confusion. We remove them immediately after he wakes up from sleeping.

Day 2: Introducing Underwear

By the second day, we followed the same process, but this time, Hayden wore underwear. We still stayed home all day and continued with frequent reminders about the potty.

Day 3: Short Outings & Building Confidence

On the third day, we kept our focus on potty training but made small adjustments:

• Hayden wore clothes that were easy to pull up and down.
• We took short trips outside while still reminding him frequently about the potty.
• We brought a portable potty with us everywhere and reassured him that it was always available.

Post-Training Routine

After the first three days, we continued by:

• Taking short trips out and about with the portable potty in the car.
• Giving frequent reminders but never forcing him to go or making him sit on the potty for a set time.
• Staying patient and encouraging throughout the process.

Final Thoughts

Potty training doesn’t have to be stressful! By preparing in advance, staying consistent, and creating a positive experience, we were able to help Hayden transition smoothly. Every child is different, but I hope these tips make the process feel more manageable for your family!