Toilet training is an important developmental milestone, and parental attitudes influence its completion. This study surveyed parents of children aged 4–8 years between December 2021 and June 2022 to assess toilet training initiation age, parental practices, and associations with constipation and urinary incontinence. 330 parents participated. Mean initiation age was 2.48 ± 0.68 years. Obtaining information beforehand and using a potty were significantly more common among parents with high school or university education, while punishment rates did not differ by educational level. Children with constipation started toilet training earlier, whereas urinary incontinence was not associated with initiation age. 11% of parents obtained information from pediatricians and 37% from the internet. Parental attitudes and practices were associated with educational level, and initiation age with constipation. Further studies are needed to establish causality. Frequent internet use highlights the importance of reliable information sources and a more active role for healthcare professionals.

Keywords: toilet training, child, parents, neurodevelopment, punishment