When a child is able to use the potty or toilet fairly independently, recognising when they want to go and then reacting appropriately, they can then be considered potty trained.

The skills that accompany potty training such as wiping can take a while to master and can be quite difficult for most young children if they have not yet developed the coordination skills. The parent can encourage the child, by letting them attempt to wipe themselves after they have cleaned them and reminding them to wash their hands. Similarly boys will initially learn how to urinate sitting down but may take a little longer and require further support to be able to move to being able to do this standing up.

Once the child has achieved daytime dryness, as they naturally develop the focus will then move to them staying dry throughout the night, which on average takes around 8 weeks longer often due to the child's physical development.