I think the hardest part of any task (including potty training) is figuring out HOW you are going to do. Once you have figured it out, then it is a matter of getting everything together and just doing it. Not only does this article presents the 5 different ways on HOW to potty train your child, it also presents the pros and cons of each potty training method.

There are many different ways to potty train your toddler. At last count, I had found 35 different books for parents on potty training and I own most of those books. Based on my research and understanding, I break HOW to potty train down into the following five methods:

The Infant Method:

Most used potty training method in underdeveloped nations around the world and probably the least used potty training method in North America .
It basically involves holding the infant over a potty to catch the eliminations.
It basically works by having the mom learn the infant's rhythms and infant learns to recognize physical sensations that precede elimination.
This is very effective when the disposable diaper use is minimal or nonexistent.
Infants can learn to signal when they need to relieve themselves.

Pros	Cons
Promotes parent child bonding	Time consuming; nearly impossible for working mothers.
Start early, finish early	Have to stay on top of it and stick with it until child can potty independently.
Wetting and soiling are not likely to become entrenched habits	Accidents and accident clean up
Limited use of diapers results in: Cost effective Prevents diaper rash Better for the environment More hygienic

It's potty time!! -Practice until you get it right potty training method:

Introduce the potty to your child
Have potty be accessible
And then gradually teach him/her to use it.

This will include:

holding regular practice sessions

rewarding child with things such as stickers or candy or whatever works for you child

charting progress

Gradually transitioning from diapers to potty to underwear.

Pros	Cons
This method can easily fit into a today's family's busy schedules	Sticking to the structure and schedule until the toddler is potty trained
With some planning, some structure can be created around the practice sessions i.e. in the morning and in the evening.	Could take anywhere from a weekend to a few months depending on the child's maturity level, temperament and readiness.
Is done gradually over time.	May not learn to initiate him/herself, because parent always initiates.
Very limited accidents, if any.	Keeping the curious toddler interested long enough to sit on the potty and relax, so s/he is able to eliminate.

The Potty Training in One Day Method:
(aka Dr Phil's Potty Training Method)

Based on two simple concepts:

1) Best way to learn something is to teach it.

Use a potty training doll to model the appropriate potty training behavior for your child

2) Behavior is shaped by consequence

Use consequences for action - logical and natural.

Read an excerpt from the Parent's Potty Training Guide: How to Potty Train in One Day.

Pros	Cons
Quick - can be done in less than one day to a maximum of 2 weeks	Takes planning and preparation
Is a structured method.	Is a structured method.
Tools are now available.	Requires follow through by parents
Made popular by Dr. Phil.	Made to look easier than it is.

Watch this video on Why Should You Use the Potty Training in One Day Method

He will go potty when the time is right method:

This method is recommended by Dr Terry Brazelton and is also adopted by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
This is probably the most used method in North America .
The premise of the method is that since potty training is a developmental milestone in your child's life (such as walking, talking, eating etc), your task as the parent is to introduce the potty and all the related tasks to your child.
Then when your child is ready, s/he will decide to use the potty and in effect will train themselves.

Pros	Cons
Very easy to fit into our busy lifestyle	Could take anywhere between 1-6 months or longer in many cases.
Very little preparation required on the part of the parent.	Child may be quite old before s/he is ready. The average age for potty training is going up every year.
Does not require a large time commitment or consistency from parent; therefore ideal for working parents	Wetting and soiling can become entrenched habits for children.
Great in concept, but not working well in reality - especially in a society where we are so dependent on the disposable diaper.