A guide to potty train your little one

Team AckoFeb 8, 2024

For most of the parents, potty training is a long and frustrating process. It is much harder for a mom and dad rather than the child who is getting potty trained. The three-day potty training method is based on a loving approach that emphasizes positive reinforcement, consistency, and patience. It also takes a more generous approach to the notion of “Signs of readiness,” or the signals that your baby is aware enough to potty train successfully. 

One thing parents need to keep in mind is that the potty training method will not be adapted easily by your child perfectly, in three days. It is meant that your little one is used to potty rather than their diapers.

Grandma's Tip: Whenever you suggest to your child that he is a big boy now and he should be using a toilet, the most common answer from your child would be a strict No-No! Do not get perturbed by the answer, just relax and keep calm. In such a case, you can initially try to train him with the potty chair, which can be moved from one place to another. Just let your little one be without a diaper and run around the house.

The three days potty training is a kick off to an ongoing process. It will take some months or even a year for some toddlers to get potty trained. Mastering the toilet skill is a work in progress. Remember that every child is different and every parent is different. 

Potty-training your child in 3 days

As a parent, you need to be prepared for those three very intensive days. You will have to dedicate 3 full days with your child, it means to give up your ‘me’ time.

Pointers for new players in the potty training saga:

Below are some of the pointers to remember for your child to get potty trained in 3 days: 

1. Age and readiness make a huge difference to success.

2. Next, you have compliance issues. Toddlers and babies by nature are contrary little characters and require repeated requests to drink more and sit on the potty again.

3. Make this as a practice for every 15 minutes for first 3 days. 

4. This might work initially in the first hour of the first day but will soon lead to battles between you and your little one.

5. Using diapers and training pants will not work for the potty training process and avoid this for the first three months.

Things required for potty training: 

• Potty chairs or seat to use at home

• Plenty of water and juice to keep your baby hydrated 

• Some loose fitting pants for your child when you go out of the house

• Some cleaning materials including old washing cloth, soap solution and a plastic bucket for unexpected accidents

• It is advisable to have a travel potty for an emergency situation

• Small absorbent towel and absorbent pads to cover your car seat

Things to keep in mind when potty training in 3 days

Refer to these pointers for effective results:

Potty training: A month before you start

• Staying dry for two or more hours at a time, asking your child to use the potty, refusing to use diaper and pooping at a regular time each day are the signs that your child is ready for potty training

• Keep your schedule free and plan for the weekend to spend ideal time with your child focused fully on potty training

• Use potty dance to celebrate your little one’s success and give them a reward to continue the training 

• Start educating your child about using the potty two to five weeks before the potty training weekend

• Help the child pull up and down their pants and underwear by demonstrating the same

Potty training: The week before you start 

• Show your child a stack of diapers and tell them that starting from the weekend they won’t need to use them and can be diaper free

• Represent it in a fun and exciting way and encourage your child to start using the potty seat

Potty training: First day 

• Wake up as soon as your child is up and for rest of the day make them go naked below the waist

• Spend the day taking turns with your partner

• Watch for signs of the need to poop

• Kids usually get the schedule and get used to potty training within 12 days

• If there is an accident never encourage it and instead say potty goes in the potty seat or the toilet

Potty training: Second day 

• Try going outside together with the family and wait for your child to poop

• Train your child to poop on command

• Take spare clothes and stay close to home like a nearby park or within the boundaries of your neighborhood 

• Make your child wear loose pants with nothing underneath

Potty training: Third day 

• This time you can go out for an hour in the morning and in the evening

• Every time have your child use the potty just before leaving the house

• Make your kiddo wear loose pants and take travel potty seat along with you

• Remember to make sure that your child uses their potty before bedtime for all the three days. Do not encourage liquids or snacks after dinner time

Pros and cons of potty training in 3 days

Here are the pros of potty training in 3 days:

• Weekend potty training can be easy and helpful to jump start the training process

• If you are worried about how to start potty training and help your child to use the potty, this 3-day approach might be really helpful for you

• You will be saving your time, frustration and money as well by not buying diapers

• Your child will be proud of their accomplishment and independence

• It helps make potty training a fun and exciting experience for your child

Here are the cons of potty training in 3 days:

• Staying at home for 3 days can be draining for you as a parent, initially

• It will be difficult for two working parents to take a day off to devote to potty train your child

• It might be difficult to complete the process within 3 days depending on your child’s health

• Keeping your kiddo bare bottomed might be inconvenient during a cold climate

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, based on industry experience and secondary sources. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified expert for health or insurance-related decisions. Content is subject to change, refer to current policy wordings for specific ACKO details.