International research shows that Western babies are being potty trained later these days and average 3 to 4 years of age before they can take care of their own toileting needs. The situation in
Researchers at
“The woman then makes a special whistling sound to remind her baby,” researcher Anna-Lena Hellström says. “The whistling method starts at birth and serves as an increasingly powerful means of communication as time goes on.”
According to the study, women notice signs of progress by time their babies are 3 months old. Most babies can use the potty on their own by 9 months of age if they are reminded, and they can generally take care of all their toileting needs by the age of 2.
“Our studies also found that Vietnamese babies empty their bladders more effectively,” Professor Hellström says. “Thus, the evidence is that potty training in itself and not age is the factor that causes bladder control to develop.”
Swedes have grown accustomed to the idea that babies cannot be potty trained, but that parents need to wait until they are mature, usually when they decide that they no longer want diapers. The evidence from
