When do most kids stop having potty accidents?

[Anonymous]

Either completely stop having them or only very rarely (maybe a couple of times a year)?

I know this varies widely— I have ADHD and I’m sure had an accident once a month or something until I was 4 or 5, because I remember having them a few times after 5 and even 6. My DD only had 3 or 4 accidents after turning 2.

But just wondering what you think is around the average? Less what your kid did and more your observations... I guess especially if you are a preschool or early ES teacher or know a ton of young kids.

Just curious, because a friend was proud her her almost 5 year old hadn’t had an accident during a movie and I didn’t think she had any bladder issues or special needs (I know movies are absorbing!) Again, I understand it varies, but just wondering if worrying about accidents was still common after age 2, or 3, or 4, or 5. Like is ~5 rare, less common, really common, almost universal?

[Anonymous]

I work with toddlers and preschoolers. Accidents after 3.5 are not common. In 10 years I had one child still have accidents after 3.5, and she had severe constipation issues that were being addressed.

Here they start kindergarten as early as 3 years and 8 months. I have heard that in the first few weeks of school a few kids in the class have an accident or two.

[Anonymous]

I’m a SAHM and know a ton of little kids. It depends on a lot of factors. I’d say most kids are reliable potty self-initiators (take themselves to the bathroom when they have to go) by 3.5. Most kids are trained before that, of course, but their parents/teachers/nanny/etc. remind them to go or take them to the potty. I have a 4.5 year old and his last day time accident was at 3.5 at an indoor play place and he just didn’t want to “stop and go right away,” in the words of Daniel Tiger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a SAHM and know a ton of little kids. It depends on a lot of factors. I’d say most kids are reliable potty self-initiators (take themselves to the bathroom when they have to go) by 3.5. Most kids are trained before that, of course, but their parents/teachers/nanny/etc. remind them to go or take them to the potty. I have a 4.5 year old and his last day time accident was at 3.5 at an indoor play place and he just didn’t want to “stop and go right away,” in the words of Daniel Tiger.

This. Once a child is 3.5+ and has been potty trained for at least 6 months, it’s very rare barring sn.

[Anonymous]

My kid ended up with potty regression and poop accidents at 3.5 right after her baby sister was born. She wanted attention to popped in her pants. Then she was sick and ended up on meds that made her constipated and I didn't notice for a while. That lead to serious constipation and more accidents since she couldn't hold the liquid poop in and a hard time to pass the blockage. Since resolving these issues she's been great and no accidents and she takes herself to the bathroom during play etc.

[Anonymous]

It matters more how long they’ve been trained and less how old they are. I would say about after they’ve been trained for six months which for most kids is by 3 1/2.

And you sound like a great friend

[Anonymous]

Usually by 4 years old, but I’ve known more than one 5 year old who had trouble taking a break from something fun to go to the bathroom. They wait until the absolute last minute to go and end up not making it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Usually by 4 years old, but I’ve known more than one 5 year old who had trouble taking a break from something fun to go to the bathroom. They wait until the absolute last minute to go and end up not making it.

This is my kid. She had occasional accidents through kindergarten. She would just wait too long to ask to go and then have to wait for the kids in line in front of her. Most times she made it but sometimes she didn’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work with toddlers and preschoolers. Accidents after 3.5 are not common. In 10 years I had one child still have accidents after 3.5, and she had severe constipation issues that were being addressed.

Here they start kindergarten as early as 3 years and 8 months. I have heard that in the first few weeks of school a few kids in the class have an accident or two.

Accidents past 3.5 are uncommon except for children in the first few weeks of kindergarten who are all older than that? That doesn't make sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually by 4 years old, but I’ve known more than one 5 year old who had trouble taking a break from something fun to go to the bathroom. They wait until the absolute last minute to go and end up not making it.

This is my kid. She had occasional accidents through kindergarten. She would just wait too long to ask to go and then have to wait for the kids in line in front of her. Most times she made it but sometimes she didn’t.

Yup. 2 accidents for my first grader in school so far this year, a few more at home. A combo of delaying until the last minute and generally poorer bladder control. The last accident at home she said was brought on by laughing too hard.

Her older brother was eerily continent and night trained himself at 2 & 1/2. Maybe three or four accidents total after potty training? Definitely nothing after four years old.

Basically, different kids are different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Either completely stop having them or only very rarely (maybe a couple of times a year)?

I know this varies widely— I have ADHD and I’m sure had an accident once a month or something until I was 4 or 5, because I remember having them a few times after 5 and even 6. My DD only had 3 or 4 accidents after turning 2.

But just wondering what you think is around the average? Less what your kid did and more your observations... I guess especially if you are a preschool or early ES teacher or know a ton of young kids.

Just curious, because a friend was proud her her almost 5 year old hadn’t had an accident during a movie and I didn’t think she had any bladder issues or special needs (I know movies are absorbing!) Again, I understand it varies, but just wondering if worrying about accidents was still common after age 2, or 3, or 4, or 5. Like is ~5 rare, less common, really common, almost universal?

Your friend seems out of touch with child development norms.

[Anonymous]

Probably around 4.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work with toddlers and preschoolers. Accidents after 3.5 are not common. In 10 years I had one child still have accidents after 3.5, and she had severe constipation issues that were being addressed.

Here they start kindergarten as early as 3 years and 8 months. I have heard that in the first few weeks of school a few kids in the class have an accident or two.

You mean 4 and 8 months. There is nowhere in the US where not yet 4 year olds start kindergarten regularly.

[Anonymous]

My 5 year old has been daytime potty trained since right at 2.5 and night time potty trained since right at 3. He still occasionally has accidents bc he gets so absorbed in his activities (especially watching tv) that he doesn’t stop to go to the bathroom til it’s too late.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 5 year old has been daytime potty trained since right at 2.5 and night time potty trained since right at 3. He still occasionally has accidents bc he gets so absorbed in his activities (especially watching tv) that he doesn’t stop to go to the bathroom til it’s too late.

Oh and he has no special needs. We have to remind him to use the bathroom before he watches videos or does something else engrossing.