How we potty-trained our toddler in 2 weeks

We started noticing that our toddler was ready for potty training about one month before we decided to start potty training. We had been reading about the signs of readiness for months beforehand and were simply waiting for the right moment to take the plunge.

We knew she was ready because:

1. She started moving away from us whenever she needed to poop in her diaper, and after pooping, she would inform us.
   

2. She would let us know whenever her diaper was wet.
   

3. Whenever my husband or I went to the bathroom, she would follow us and sometimes even try to use the toilet herself by pulling down her pants.

Approaching potty training was a bit uncertain for us, so we began purchasing various items since the months before that seemed like they would aid the process. Here's what we used and our thoughts on each one.

1. Infant-sized Potty: Back in October, about three months before we started potty training, we bought this adorable little toilet. We taught her how to sit on it and even how to make it make the "flush" sound. She absolutely loved climbing onto it and felt incredibly proud when she mastered flushing it. We opted for the white version, which matches our adult toilets perfectly. We really recommend this product—it's been fantastic for us! Here is another great alternative option: Non-musical potty.
   

2. Potty Lift-the-Flap Book: Around the same time we got the little potty, we also bought the most adorable Elmo book with over 30 flaps that are perfect for little fingers to lift. In "P is for Potty," Elmo from Sesame Street teaches all about using the potty. It's been such a hit with our potty-training journey! The book strikes a great balance of fun and learning, especially as toddlers get used to sitting on the potty. We still read it regularly today and can't recommend it enough! A few other helpful potty training books: Daniel Tiger's Children's Toilet Training Sound Book, Pottysaurus - Children's Padded Board Book, and Sesame Street Potty Training Sound Book with Elmo.

After a few months of her enjoying her potty and book, we decided it was now or never for potty training. She had already learned all the potty-related words and actions so well that we felt there was no reason to delay. Seeing how intrigued she was by the adult toilet, we wondered if we could skip the little potty altogether and use a potty training seat on the adult toilet. It turned out to be the best decision we could have made. After some research, we found the best potty-training seat (cheaper alternative linked here) and step stool available (cheaper alternative linked here). We use this Frida baby portable potty seat whenever we leave the house - we 100% recommend.

The last items we needed were underwear and pull-ups. We used pull-ups during the day for only about 2-3 days, but we read that sometimes kids can get confused because pull-ups feel similar to diapers. Within no more than 3 days, we switched to regular underwear during the day and chose these pull-ups for nighttime.

During the first week of potty training, our toddler had multiple accidents almost every day (as expected)! By the second week, accidents became less frequent. By the third week, our little girl was having only occasional accidents, mostly while she was trying to get to the potty. We are incredibly proud of her progress, and if we can do it, you can too. Sometimes you just have to take the leap and go for it!