How Do You Potty Train a Child in 3 Days?

Is your child about to transition to potty or toilet use after months (or years) of diaper changing? Congratulations!

My little girl recently reached this milestone—she’s two years old, and I chose to hold a “No More Pamper Party” for her. We went to the grocery store and let her pick out her cake and balloons. After that, we went home and sang our “No More Pamper” song to her that we had made up. It was the same as “Happy Birthday,” but we replaced the lyrics with “No More Pamper Day to You.” She then blew out the candles and tossed the last bit of pampers she had in the trash. It was fun seeing her celebrate the occasion and embrace the idea that she’s moving on to panties from diapers from now on.

Table of contents:

• When to Start Potty Training?
• What Is the 3-Day Method for Potty Training?
• What Do You Need For Potty Training?
• Additional Guide For 3-Day Potty Training
• How Did You Potty Train Your Child?

When to Start Potty Training?

Is there an ideal age for 3-day potty training? Some kids show signs that they’re ready to use the potty as early as 18 months. But most toddlers show bladder and bowel control when they are two to three years old.

How can we tell if they’re ready? Here are some signs of potty training readiness:

• They have dry diapers for at least two hours at a time in the daytime, and they stay dry after naps.
• They show discomfort—make a facial expression, cry, or fuss—when they soil their diapers.
• They tell you that they’re about to pee or poop or ask you for a diaper change after they do.
• They follow you to the bathroom to see how you use the toilet, or they copy your or their older siblings’ actions related to using the toilet.
• They can pull down and pull up their pants.
• They show or express interest in wearing “big-kid” underwear or using the toilet.
• They can understand and follow instructions, like when you tell them to walk to the bathroom, sit down, and remove their clothes.

What Is the 3-Day Method for Potty Training?

Pediatricians encourage parents to try out different techniques for potty training. I used the three-day method for my daughter, which required focus and dedication.

People also call this technique the “bare-bottomed” method, as kids must not wear a diaper or anything below the waist while at home. The logic behind letting children go naked from the waist down is for them to be more aware of what’s happening with their bodies. Even if kids suddenly pee or poop, parents can use the opportunity to explain how the body works.

Pre-Training Tips

If you choose to potty train in 3 days, ensure that those three consecutive days are free of play dates, work, and other commitments for you, your child, and your entire family.

Many suggest planning the “training” over the weekend. Choosing such a schedule may help, as you can get other people—your partner, older children, or friends—to assist you with house chores.

Prepare your child two weeks in advance by introducing bathroom use in daily talks. You can use a doll or stuffed animal as models for using the bathroom. Also, let your child hang around when you or their siblings use the toilet.

Let’s Do This!

So let’s get down to it! Here are the activities to do the 3-day potty training schedule.

Day 1 Potty Training

After your child wakes up at the start of the day, remove their diaper and lower body clothing. Tell them that instead of using diapers, they must use their potty when they feel like peeing or pooping. Post-wakeup time is an excellent time to bring your child to the potty.

Watch for your child’s signs to use the potty throughout the day. Tell them: “Pee goes into the potty” or “We pee in the potty” when they’re about to go. Carry them to the bathroom if they’re still a long way off. Repeat this reminder throughout the day.

Praise your child, give them high-fives, or do a celebratory dance together when they use the potty upon reaching the bathroom. You can also give a sticker or treat if they successfully use the potty. But some pediatricians discourage this, saying it’s bribery.

Avoid yelling or shaming kids for “doing something wrong” in case they pee or poop before reaching their potty. Avoid using the words “bad,” “stinky,” or “dirty.” Wipe them up and say: “Oops! You had an accident. Pee and poop go in the potty.”

You may give your child more liquids, or ice pops for more pee practice opportunities. 

Pediatricians warn against using timers and nagging as these practices will provoke resistance. Don’t force your child to stay seated on the potty if they’re squirming to get up. Before daytime naps and going to bed at night, tell your child to go potty. Don’t ask if they want to as they’re like to say no. You may opt for diapers, underwear, or training pants during evening bedtime. Nighttime potty training comes later—once they’re around five or six years old.

Day 2 Potty Training

Repeat the rituals you did on your first day. Remember to bring your child to the bathroom at regular intervals (before bath time and after meals). Remind them to use the potty. Praise them for their successes, but if they fail, relax and clean up casually. Put on a diaper or training pants for your tot overnight.

Take a short walk outside your house or backyard for around half an hour. Put loose-fitting clothes on your child and keep them unclad waist down. Once outdoors, tell your child that you can both go inside if they need to use the potty.

Day 3 Potty Training

Repeat the process you followed in the past two days. Your child should have become familiar with his bodily cues by this time and may have successfully used the potty several times.

What Do You Need for Potty Training?

You must have the right supplies before teaching your child to use the potty. You need:

A potty chair

Have one potty in each of your bathrooms. Your child must be comfortable and can sit on it with feet flat on the floor.

Once your toddler grows older, you may use a potty training seat, which you place on top of the big toilet, and a step stool for them to reach the toilet seat and rest their feet.

Cleaning supplies

Keep a stash of baby wipes, a cleaning solution, and rags handy in case of misses or spills.

Potty training books

Ease your children into potty use by reading such as Once Upon a Potty training in 3 days books. Their visuals will make it easier for kids to follow through with your “training.”

Additional Guide For 3-Day Potty Training

It’s okay to put it off

If going to the bathroom is becoming a constant battle, reschedule your “training” after a few weeks. Avoid comparing your kids with their friends who are already in underpants, and bring up the subject of using the potty some other time.

Timing is key

Major life changes such as a house move, a recent illness, or a new sibling’s birth can be stressful. Schedule your potty training when you and your child are more settled down.

Bring a travel potty

As long as the weather permits, you can take your child with you and walk with them around the block or run a quick errand. Just pack a portable potty with you.

Before leaving the house, say: “We’re going to pee, then go outside,” instead of asking: “Do you have to go to the potty?” as you’re more likely to get no for an answer

Give them privacy

Some kids are more modest than others. Step away if your child needs more privacy to finish their business.

How Did You Potty Train Your Child?

I’d love to hear about your potty training in 3 days experience and see how the Living Lavishlee community can relate. Contact me here and let me know!