The No-Stress Potty Training Toilet Checklist Every Parent Should Know 

The Complete Potty Training Toilet Checklist

For closely related guidance, read our article: Is Your Child Ready for the Toilet? The Potty Training Transition Tips.

1. Check Readiness Before Buying More Equipment

Most children develop the physical, cognitive, and emotional abilities needed for toilet training across a broad age range. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that many children show bladder and bowel control signs between 18 and 24 months, while the ability and willingness to complete the full routine often develop later. Research reviews have found no agreed number of readiness signs that every child must show. [1–2]

Look for a cluster of signs rather than one perfect milestone:

• stays dry for around two hours or wakes dry from some naps;
• notices or communicates before, during or shortly after a pee or poo;
• can walk to the bathroom and sit with support;
• can follow a short instruction such as “pants down, sit, wipe, flush, wash hands”;
• can help pull simple clothing down and up;
• shows interest in the potty, toilet or underwear; and
• is willing to practise without intense fear or distress.

A 2024 study of 409 children found that readiness scores, continuity of training, family factors, and toilet type were associated with the duration of training. This supports a child-centred approach: prepare well, begin when the child is receptive and keep expectations consistent.[4]

2. Choose the Right Potty or Toilet Seat

A floor potty can be useful at the beginning because it is low, stable and allows the child’s feet to rest on the floor. A toilet reducer seat can help a child move directly to the family toilet or transition from the baby potty. Whichever option you choose, it should feel secure, remain still during use and allow the child to get on and off with adult supervision.

For a seated toilet

• Use a secure reducer seat that fits the toilet open without sliding.
• Add a sturdy, non-slip step stool so the child can climb with help and brace both feet.
• Check that the child’s thighs and bottom are supported rather than suspended over a wide opening.
• Introduce the flush gradually if the sound or movement is frightening.

For homes or public places with squat toilets

Do not assume that success on a seated toilet automatically transfers to a squat toilet. Begin with close adult supervision, stable footwear, dry flooring and simple clothing. A child may need more balance, coordination and confidence before using this toilet type independently. Keep a familiar potty available during the learning phase if the alternative setup feels unsafe.

3. Support the Feet and a Comfortable Pooing Position

Children should be able to rest their feet flat on the floor or a step. NHS guidance recommends regular toilet sitting and foot support for children with constipation, while paediatric toileting guidance commonly advises forward-leaning, supported posture. A stable position can help a child relax instead of gripping the seat or withholding poo.[6]

For a seated toilet, aim for:

• both feet supported;
• knees comfortably apart and, if possible, slightly above hip level;
• a straight or gently forward-leaning posture;
• no pressure to sit for long periods; and
• adults help with balance until the child is clearly safe.

4. Choose Potty-Training Clothes Your Child Can Manage

Toilet training requires a chain of motor tasks: notice the urge, stop playing, reach the bathroom, pull clothing down, sit, finish, wipe, dress and wash hands. Simple elastic-waist clothing reduces the number of steps that can go wrong. The AAP identifies walking, managing clothing and following instructions as important readiness abilities.[1]

In Malaysia’s warm weather, lightweight shorts and breathable underwear are often practical for home practice. Keep at least two full changes of clothing at taska, tadika or with the caregiver, including underwear, bottoms and a sealable wet bag.

5. Build a Predictable Potty Training Toilet Routine

A routine creates learning opportunities without turning every trip into a test. Useful times include after waking, after meals, before leaving home, before bath time and before bed. For children who tend to hold poo, a calm sit after meals can take advantage of the body’s natural gastrocolic response, but the child should not be forced to remain seated.

Use the same short sequence each time:

• Tell an adult or go to the bathroom.
• Pull clothing down.
• Sit securely with feet supported.
• Pee or poo without rushing.
• Wipe or wash the external area with help.
• Flush when the child is comfortable.
• Pull clothing up.
• Wash and dry hands.

Systematic reviews conclude that no training method has proven universally superior. A consistent, positive method matched to the child and family is more defensible than switching repeatedly between strict schedules, pressure and long pauses.[3]

6. Prepare a Gentle Bottom and Intimate-Hygiene Kit

Cleaning should remove urine or stool residue without aggressive rubbing or repeated exposure to harsh soaps. Children’s external genital skin can be delicate, and clinical guidance for vulval care advises gentle washing while avoiding over-washing and perfumed or irritating products when the area is sensitive. For girls, wiping front to back helps reduce the transfer of bacteria from the anus towards the urethra or vulva. [12,13,18]

Include these items

• soft, uncoloured toilet paper;
• clean running water or a clean damp cloth;
• a child-appropriate, pH-balanced external wash when a more thorough clean is needed;
• a clean towel for gentle pat-drying;
• spare underwear and clothing; and
• plain soap for handwashing after the toilet.

Where Gentle Bottom Wash fits

Little Étoile Gentle Bottom Wash is designed for children’s external intimate and bottom areas, especially during toilet training when missed wiping, odour and repeated clean-ups can become common. The formula is pH-balanced and microbiome-friendly, with sage leaf, aloe vera and cucumber extracts, panthenol, allantoin and Uvalife™ Antioxidant Grape Blend.

The broader skin-science rationale for mild, pH-conscious cleansing is supported by research showing that cleanser pH and surfactant choice can influence skin-surface pH, barrier function, and skin microflora. [14–15] Panthenol has also been studied for moisturising and barrier-supporting effects. [16–17]

Important distinction
Gentle Bottom Wash is for external bottom and intimate skin cleansing. It does not replace handwashing. Children and caregivers should still wash their hands with plain soap and clean running water after using the toilet or cleaning a child.

7. Teach Wiping and Bidet Use Safely

For girls

Teach wiping from front to back and use a fresh section of toilet paper for each pass. Encourage the child to sit with knees apart so they can reach without losing balance. Young children often need supervision and finishing help even after they can use the toilet independently. [1,18]

For boys

Many boys find sitting easier at first because they can focus on recognising the urge and completing the full routine without also learning aim and balance. Standing for urination can be introduced later. After urination, teach a gentle shake or dab before pulling underwear up.

For hand-held bidet sprays

Use low pressure, supervise closely, and direct water so it flows over the external skin rather than into the vagina. The hose and bathroom floor can become slipping hazards, so teach the child to return the spray securely and dry any splashes. Hospital guidance specifically cautions against directing bidet water into the vagina.[13]

8. Make Handwashing Non-Negotiable

WHO recommends handwashing with soap after using the toilet and after cleaning a child’s bottom. CDC guidance similarly advises washing with clean running water and soap, scrubbing all hand surfaces for at least 20 seconds, rinsing and drying. Malaysia’s Ministry of Health also promotes a seven-step handwashing sequence that includes palms, fingers, between fingers, nails, backs of hands, rinsing and drying. [9–11]

Place soap and a stable handwashing step where the child can reach with supervision. A short song, picture card or mirror sticker can make the sequence easier to remember. Baby wipes may make hands look clean, but CDC notes that they are not designed to remove germs from hands; soap and water remain preferred after toilet use.[10]

9. Prepare for Accidents Without Shame

Daytime accidents can continue for months while a child is learning. The AAP advises that occasional accidents are part of building a new physical habit, although frequent accidents that do not decrease may warrant a discussion with a healthcare professional. Respond calmly: change clothes, clean the skin, involve the child in a simple age-appropriate clean-up and continue the routine.[19]

Your accident kit should contain:

• two pairs of underwear;
• one or two easy-change outfits;
• a small towel or clean cloth;
• a sealable wet bag;
• Gentle Bottom Wash or another child-appropriate cleansing option for external skin;
• tissues or toilet paper; and
• surface-cleaning supplies stored and used only by an adult.

Language matters
Avoid “dirty”, “naughty”, “babyish” or “you should know better”. Use neutral language: “Your clothes are wet. Let’s clean up and try again next time.” Positive toileting guidance recommends praise and encouragement rather than punishment or shame.

10. Use Praise and Rewards Carefully

Positive reinforcement is recommended in paediatric toilet-training guidance, but the reward should not become the only reason to use the toilet. Praise specific actions: telling you about the urge, sitting, trying, wiping, flushing calmly or washing hands. A sticker chart can help visualise progress, especially for younger children, but avoid removing rewards or showing disappointment after accidents.[5]

Examples of useful praise include:

• “You noticed your body telling you it was time.”
• “You kept both feet on the step and sat safely.”
• “You remembered to wipe and wash your hands.”
• “You had an accident and helped clean up calmly.”

11. Watch Closely for Constipation and Stool Withholding

Hard or painful poo can quickly turn toilet training into a fear cycle. A prospective study found that hard bowel movements and painful defecation often occurred before stool-toileting refusal, rather than simply being caused by refusal. Children with frequent hard stools also experienced longer periods of refusal. Addressing pain early is therefore more important than insisting that the child keep trying.[7]

Watch for hard pellet-like stools, pain, crying, blood on the stool or paper, a swollen abdomen, hiding or stiffening to hold poo, reduced appetite, or repeated soiling. Support regular fluids, fibre-rich foods, physical activity, relaxed toilet sitting, and secure foot support. Speak to a pharmacist, GP or paediatrician for individual advice, especially if pain or withholding continues.[6]

12. Coordinate the Plan with Taska, Tadika and Other Caregivers

Children learn more easily when the key steps and words are consistent across settings. Before starting, ask the childcare centre or preschool:

• What toilet type does the child use?
• Is a reducer seat or footstool available?
• Who helps with wiping and changing?
• What spare clothes and labelled products may parents provide?
• How are accidents documented?
• What words are used for pee, poo, toilet and private areas?
• Can the child use their own external bottom wash if permitted?
• How are handwashing and bathroom supervision managed?

Share relevant constipation, skin-sensitivity, developmental, or communication needs with caregivers. Children with developmental differences may need visual sequences, adapted equipment, additional prompting or professional input, but readiness and dignity remain central.[20]

13. Pack a Malaysia-Ready Public Toilet Kit

Public toilets can be noisy, wet, crowded, and unfamiliar. Prepare before leaving home rather than waiting for an urgent moment. A compact kit can include a foldable reducer or disposable seat cover if your child needs one, tissues, spare underwear and shorts, a wet bag, a small clean towel, Gentle Bottom Wash in an appropriate travel container if product transfer is permitted, and hand sanitiser for times when soap and water are genuinely unavailable. After toilet use, wash with soap and water as soon as possible.

Before the child sits, check whether the seat or squat platform is stable and dry. Stay close, keep handbags and clean products out of reach, and supervise any bidet hose. If the child is frightened, it is reasonable to use the familiar potty or try again elsewhere rather than forcing the situation.

14. Know When to Pause or Seek Medical Advice

Pause the training pressure and seek advice from a GP, paediatrician or qualified healthcare professional if your child has:

• persistent or severe pain during urination or bowel movements;
• hard stools, repeated withholding or constipation that does not improve;
• blood in the urine or stool;
• fever, abdominal pain, vomiting or a swollen abdomen;
• unusual genital discharge, bleeding, marked redness or persistent itching;
• a sudden loss of previously established toilet skills;
• frequent daytime accidents that are not gradually decreasing; or
• significant fear, distress or developmental concerns affecting toileting.

A gentle cleanser may support everyday hygiene, but it should not be used to self-treat suspected infection, persistent rash or pain. Medical assessment is important when symptoms continue or are accompanied by systemic signs such as fever or poor wellbeing. [12,19]

Frequently Asked Questions

What age should we start potty training?

There is no single correct age. Look for readiness across bladder and bowel awareness, mobility, clothing skills, understanding, communication and willingness. Many children begin showing relevant signs between 18 and 24 months, but mastery often develops later.

Should we buy a baby potty or use the toilet?

Either can work. A floor potty is often stable and easy to access; a toilet reducer can reduce the number of later transitions. The best choice is the one your child can use safely and consistently across home and childcare.

How long should my child sit?

Keep sitting brief and calm. Several minutes is usually enough for practice. Long, forced sits can feel like punishment and may increase resistance.

Are wipes enough after poo?

Wipes can be convenient, but repeated rubbing or fragranced products may irritate some children. For a thorough clean, use gentle wiping and, when needed, clean water or a child-appropriate external wash, followed by rinsing and pat-drying. Wipes do not replace handwashing.

Can Gentle Bottom Wash prevent nappy rash or infection?

It is a cleansing product, not medicine. It is designed to gently cleanse, freshen, and support the comfort of external intimate and bottom skin. It should not be presented as preventing or treating nappy rash, urinary infection, vulvovaginitis, or another medical condition.

What if my child is trained for pee but refuses to poo?

Check first for hard or painful stools, fear of the toilet, poor foot support, or pressure around the routine. Keep the response calm and seek healthcare advice if constipation, pain, or withholding continues.

Should boys sit or stand?

Sitting is often simpler at the beginning because it reduces the balance and aiming demands and allows the child to focus on the complete routine. Standing can be introduced when the child is ready.

What should I send to taska or tadika?

Send labelled spare underwear and clothing, a wet bag and any permitted personal hygiene product. Confirm the centre’s toilet setup, supervision, accident procedure and handwashing routine before training begins.

The Bottom Line

The most useful potty training toilet checklist is not the longest one. It is the checklist that makes the routine safe, repeatable, and comfortable for your child. Prioritise readiness, secure seat, supported feet, easy clothing, gentle external cleansing, reliable handwashing, calm accident management, and early attention to constipation.

For Malaysian families, plan for the different bathrooms your child encounters—from home and taska to shopping centres, travel stops and relatives’ homes. Gentle Bottom Wash can form part of the external cleansing routine when more than toilet paper or water is needed, while soap-and-water handwashing remains essential after every toilet visit.

References

1. American Academy of Pediatrics. The Right Age to Potty Train. HealthyChildren.org. Updated 24 May 2022.Source
2. KaertsN, Van Hal G, Vermandel A, Wyndaele JJ. Readiness signs used to define the proper moment to start toilet training: a review of the literature. Neurourology and Urodynamics. 2012;31(4):437–440. doi:10.1002/nau.21211. Source
3. Mrad FCC, da Silva ME, Lima EM, et al. Toilet training methods in children with normalneuropsychomotor development: a systematic review. Journal of Pediatric Urology. 2021;17(5):635–643. doi:10.1016/j.jpurol.2021.05.010. Source
4. BarutçuA, Mete B, Demirhindi H, et al. Toilet Training Readiness Scale for 0–5-Year-Old Children: a new measurement tool based on a child-centred approach. Children. 2024;11(9):1149. doi:10.3390/children11091149. Source
5. American Academy of Pediatrics. Toilet Training: 12 Tips to Keep the Process Positive. HealthyChildren.org. Updated 2023.Source
6. National Health Service. Constipation in children.Reviewed 2 August 2023. Source
7. Blum NJ, Taubman B, Nemeth N. During toilet training, constipation occurs beforestool toileting refusal. Pediatrics. 2004;113(6):e520–e522. doi:10.1542/peds.113.6.e520. Source
8. American Academy of Pediatrics. Psychological Readiness and Motor Skills Needed for Toilet Training. HealthyChildren.org.Source
9. World Health Organization. Washing hands. Updated 30 September 2022.Source
10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Handwashing. Updated 16 February 2024.Source
11. Ministry of Health Malaysia, Health Promotion in Learning Institutions. 7Langkah Mencuci Tangan Dengan Betul. Source
12. The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. Vulval skin care for children. Updated July 2025.Source
13. University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Vulvovaginitis: patient information. 2025.Source
14. Blaak J, Staib P. The relationof pH and skin cleansing. Current Problems in Dermatology. 2018;54:132–142. doi:10.1159/000489527. Source
15. SerghiouIR, Webber MA, Hall LJ. An update on the current understanding of the infant skin microbiome and research challenges. Current Opinion in Microbiology. 2023;75:102364. doi:10.1016/j.mib.2023.102364. Source
16. Ebner F, Heller A,Rippke F, Tausch I. Topical use of dexpanthenol in skin disorders. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. 2002;3(6):427–433. Source
17. Gehring W, Gloor M. Effect of topically applieddexpanthenol on epidermal barrier function and stratum corneum hydration: results of a human in vivo study. Arzneimittelforschung. 2000;50(7):659–663. Source
18. The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. Urinary tract infection (UTI). Updated July 2025.Source
19. American Academy of Pediatrics. Are accidents normal orthe sign of a problem in the toilet training process? HealthyChildren.org. Updated 31 August 2016. Source
20. American Academy of Pediatrics. Potty Training Children with Special Needs. HealthyChildren.org. Updated 2022.Source

Reviewed by Diana Newman BHSc (Nutr. Med), MNutr | Registered Nutritionist | Mum