{"id":680833,"date":"2025-07-21T07:35:26","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T04:35:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/1-in-5-parents-report-struggles-with-toilet-training\/"},"modified":"2025-07-21T07:35:26","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T04:35:26","slug":"1-in-5-parents-report-struggles-with-toilet-training","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/1-in-5-parents-report-struggles-with-toilet-training\/","title":{"rendered":"1 in 5 parents report struggles with toilet training"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a23e768eae3a\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a23e768eae3a\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/1-in-5-parents-report-struggles-with-toilet-training\/#Timing_isnt_everything\" >Timing isn&#8217;t everything<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/1-in-5-parents-report-struggles-with-toilet-training\/#Common_struggles_from_regression_to_resistance\" >Common struggles, from regression to resistance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/1-in-5-parents-report-struggles-with-toilet-training\/#Routines_and_a_calm_approach_work_best\" >Routines and a calm approach work best<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"article-gallery lightGallery\">\n<div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/tmb\/2025\/potty-pressure-1-in-5.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/scx2.b-cdn.net\/gfx\/news\/hires\/2025\/potty-pressure-1-in-5.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"National poll highlights the challenges many families face during potty training. Credit: Sara Schultz, University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health\">\n<figure class=\"article-img\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/800a\/2025\/potty-pressure-1-in-5.jpg\" alt=\"Potty pressure: 1 in 5 parents report struggles with toilet training\" title=\"National poll highlights the challenges many families face during potty training. Credit: Sara Schultz, University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health\" width=\"800\" height=\"530\"\/><figcaption class=\"text-darken text-low-up text-truncate-js text-truncate mt-3\">\n                National poll highlights the challenges many families face during potty training. Credit: Sara Schultz, University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children&#8217;s Hospital National Poll on Children&#8217;s Health<br \/>\n            <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Transitioning from diapers to the toilet is a major step for young children\u2014and their parents.<\/p>\n<p>Now a new report shines a light on just how bumpy that journey can be.<\/p>\n<p>One in five parents say their child had potty anxiety during toilet training and another one in five say the process was harder than they expected, according to the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children&#8217;s Hospital National Poll on Children&#8217;s Health.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Learning to use the toilet is a major step in a young child&#8217;s development and requires time, patience, and consistency,&#8221; said Mott Poll Co-Director and Mott pediatrician Susan Woolford, M.D.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Our report demonstrates that parents are <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>roaching potty training thoughtfully but for many families and their kids, the process often includes setbacks, frustrations, and moments of uncertainty.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The nationally representative report\u2014based on 820 responses from parents of children aged one to six\u2014found that more than half of parents started potty training around age two. However, 21% began earlier, and another 22% waited until age three. Most felt they chose the right time, though a small number said they may have started too early or too late.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Timing_isnt_everything\"><\/span>Timing isn&#8217;t everything<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Parents factored in a variety of reasons before starting potty training. Some needed their child to be out of diapers to enter daycare or preschool. Others were motivated by the cost of diapers\u2014with one in five saying this financial burden played a role in the decision.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Waiting until a child is truly ready can make the process smoother for everyone,&#8221; Woolford said. &#8220;Pushing it too soon often leads to frustration and delays. But some families don&#8217;t have the flexibility to wait.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Readiness signs can include staying dry for longer periods, showing interest in the bathroom, following simple instructions, and being able to help dress or undress themselves. Some children may also hide when they need to go or start mimicking adult bathroom behavior.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common_struggles_from_regression_to_resistance\"><\/span>Common struggles, from regression to resistance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Among parents who reported difficulty, the most common challenges included a child&#8217;s refusal to cooperate, busy family schedules, coordination between home and daycare, and household disruptions.<\/p>\n<p>Children may resist for a range of reasons, Woolford notes, from fear of flushing noises to discomfort with adult-sized toilets. Some may struggle with this type of change.<\/p>\n<p>Even once progress is made, regression is common: about a third said their child seemed trained but then took a step back. Eight percent reported issues with constipation or encopresis.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Potty training isn&#8217;t always a straight path,&#8221; Woolford said. &#8220;Understanding that it&#8217;s a gradual process can help parents stay patient. Setbacks are normal, particularly when there are stressful events in the child&#8217;s life, such as a new sibling or a move to a new home.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Routines_and_a_calm_approach_work_best\"><\/span>Routines and a calm approach work best<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Parents reported using a variety of strategies to support their child during potty training. The most common ones included taking their child to the toilet regularly, offering small rewards, letting their child go diaper-free during the day, or turning the process into a <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/game\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"7\" title=\"Game\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">game<\/a> or something fun.<\/p>\n<p>Another 16% tried the &#8220;three-day potty training&#8221; method, which can work well when time is short but may feel too intense or stressful for some families, Woolford says.<\/p>\n<p>For children with high potty anxiety, Woolford recommends turning the bathroom into a pressure-free space where they can read books or play songs that help them feel more relaxed.<\/p>\n<p>Simple tools like sticker charts, potty-only toys, and consistent routines can also go a long way, as well as using a child-sized potty to help kids feel more secure.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Regardless of the method, the most important things are consistency, encouragement, and keeping the experience as low-pressure and supportive as possible,&#8221; Woolford said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If a child continues to struggle, especially if there&#8217;s pain, withholding, or ongoing anxiety, parents should talk to their pediatrician for guidance and support.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"d-inline-block text-medium my-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tProvided by<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUniversity of Michigan<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"icon_open\" href=\"http:\/\/www.umich.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<use href=\"https:\/\/medx.b-cdn.net\/tmpl\/v6\/img\/svg\/sprite.svg#icon_open\" x=\"0\" y=\"0\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                        <!-- print only --><\/p>\n<div class=\"d-none d-print-block\">\n<p>\n                                                 <strong>Citation<\/strong>:<br \/>\n                                                 Potty pressure: 1 in 5 parents report struggles with toilet training (2025, July 21)<br \/>\n                                                 retrieved 21 July 2025<br \/>\n                                                 from https:\/\/medicalxpress.com\/<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">news<\/a>\/2025-07-potty-pressure-parents-struggles-toilet.html\n                                            <\/p>\n<p>\n                                            This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no<br \/>\n                                            part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.\n                                            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script id=\"facebook-jssdk\" async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/sdk.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMN63nwsw68G3Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more Like this articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/sciencee\/\" target=\"_blank\" >Science category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/medicalxpress.com\/news\/2025-07-potty-pressure-parents-struggles-toilet.html\" target=\"_blank\" >Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>National poll highlights the challenges many families face during potty training. Credit: Sara Schultz, University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children&#8217;s Hospital National Poll on Children&#8217;s Health Transitioning from diapers to the toilet is a major step for young children\u2014and their parents. Now a new report shines a light on just how bumpy that journey&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":680834,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/scx2.b-cdn.net\/gfx\/news\/hires\/2025\/potty-pressure-1-in-5.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-680833","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sciencee"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/680833","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=680833"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/680833\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/680834"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=680833"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=680833"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=680833"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}