• Stay calm: Even though you’re frustrated, remind yourself that a period of potty training regression can be normal. It might be happening for a number of reasons, but there are ways to help get back on track.
• Don’t punish: Experts say punishing your child for bedwetting or any accidents will only backfire. Bedwetting, in particular, isn’t within your child’s control, and punishing for accidents makes it more likely that your child will try to avoid punishment by hiding or trying to not poop or pee at all, which can lead to constipation and even more accidents.
• Offer positive reinforcement: Clean up accidents without a fuss and move on. Invite your child to “help” you clean up the accident, but don’t force it if they don’t want to. Give your child the attention they want for other good habits they’re showing such as hand-washing, taking turns, or sharing. It feels good for any of us to hear that we’re doing the right thing. Give plenty of hugs, kisses, and cuddles. A reward chart or a special treat after a successful bathroom stop also works well for some kids.
• See your doctor: If necessary, give your pediatrician details of the potty training regression. You want to eliminate the possibility of infection and make sure you’re on the right, healthy path.
• Find out why: Accidents in older kids are often connected to the lack of control over a child’s environment. Try to get into their head by asking questions and find out what’s going on. Knowing the cause can help figure out the solution. Talk it through and get the issue out into the open.
• Sympathize: You should acknowledge that you know big transitions like this are difficult. You can use a story from your childhood about a time when you regressed and tell them that it can be normal.
• Reinforce training: Remember, what you did before initially worked. You can reinforce that with some set times to sit on the potty, making it part of the routine. Try not to make using the restroom a big deal — and definitely don’t force the issue — just incorporate it into your child’s day.
• Make expectations clear: Tell your child you expect them to resume heading to the potty and having clean undies. Let them know you know they can do this!
• Be consistent: If your child has been diaper-free during the day for a while, resist the urge to put them back in diapers. This back-and-forth can be very confusing for your child. Remember, accidents are normal - they do not mean your child can’t do it!

This article has been reviewed by our team of experts.

Disclaimer: The contents of this article does not constitute medical advice. If you have concerns about any health or medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment you should consult with your pediatrician or a licensed healthcare provider.

Once your child begins to wake up in the morning with a dry diaper, you may begin the switch to underwear overnight. Some children may continue to wet the bed even after this switch has occurred.

So, what can you do to address bedwetting and make your child feel comfortable?

• Be gentle with your child: It’s important to be honest with your child about the situation and not blame them for this action that is out of their control. It’s recommended to stay away from punishment and try not to make it a big issue, in order to help your child feel safe and comfortable. Ensure that older siblings do not tease your child for this behavior. 
• Protect the bed: Purchase a plastic mattress cover to protect the mattress from smells and stains.
• Let your child help: Have your child help change the sheets to teach responsibility.  

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Disclaimer: The contents of this article does not constitute medical advice. If you have concerns about any health or medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment you should consult with your pediatrician or a licensed healthcare provider.

Many experts recommend switching to underwear while potty training because, in addition to the gray area pull-ups can create for your child, wet underwear is much more uncomfortable than a wet pull-up — so the former can be motivating. 

This article has been reviewed by our team of experts.

Disclaimer: The contents of this article does not constitute medical advice. If you have concerns about any health or medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment you should consult with your pediatrician or a licensed healthcare provider.

Establish some rules ahead of time. The secret to potty training on the go is to be flexible. It may be helpful to stick to diapers for long car rides or waits at the airport as your child is learning, but you can switch to underwear when you get to your destination to continue the potty training that has already been established.

Prepare for portable potty training. If it makes sense, travel with your potty trainer. You can use a disposable plastic bag to line your potty training toilet to make cleanup on-the-go a little easier. 

Be prepared for accidents. Being away from home and their usual routine can really mess with your toddler’s potty training progress, so don’t be surprised if they have more accidents than usual. Always pack an extra outfit or two, and clean underwear and wipes in your bag so you’re ready to roll as soon as they’re cleaned up.

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Disclaimer: The contents of this article does not constitute medical advice. If you have concerns about any health or medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment you should consult with your pediatrician or a licensed healthcare provider.

• Address any potty training or toilet-related fears. Does your little one seem to be fearful of falling into the toilet, or of the sound of flushing? Help your child feel comforted through this process by holding onto them as they sit to assure them that they will not fall in, and/or by giving them a heads up that you’re about to flush.  Providing this consistency over time will help your child become more comfortable with things they once feared. Gradually, you can start to let go, and flush while they are nearby to let them know that there is no reason to fear these everyday activities. 
• Be patient. Pushing too hard or imposing a strict timeline can deter your child from the potty training process. In the case of potty training, slow and steady wins the race! Meet your little one where they are and let them know that however much time they need is A-OK.
• Let your child control the process. This may seem counterintuitive, but giving your child control over the process when they’re having a difficult time can actually help them warm up to it. Let them know that this is their choice, and that they can let you know when they feel ready to proceed. Pressuring a toddler to do something almost always results in them resisting it more!

This article has been reviewed by our team of experts.

Disclaimer: The contents of this article does not constitute medical advice. If you have concerns about any health or medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment you should consult with your pediatrician or a licensed healthcare provider.

• Children’s book about potty training
• Potty training seat or toilet with removable bin or toilet seat insert
• Stool (if using regular toilet) so your child can independently get on and off the toilet seat
• Reward/success chart to keep track of their success
• Potty training underwear
• Pull-ups (for naps, overnight, car rides)
• Travel potty trainer with disposable liners (optional for on-the-go)

After deciding which method to use, parents can make the decision to use a potty training toilet or potty training seat. There are pros and cons to each and the best choice is what works best for your family and lifestyle! We’ve outlined some pros and cons below to help as you make this decision.

Potty Training Toilet: A potty training toilet is a child-sized, portable plastic chair with a removable insert that can take the place of an ”adult” toilet. The alternative to a potty training toilet is a potty training seat, that fits on top a regular size toilet allowing the child to sit comfortably and securely. 

Pros:

• Proper positioning. A small potty training toilet allows a toddler’s small body to feel stable while sitting. It is ideal for your child’s feet to touch the floor when sitting on their potty training toilet.

• Less intimidating than a big toilet. A lot of toilet training is just getting your little one used to the act of using a “big” toilet! It can seem intimidating to a child, so a smaller, child-sized version can be a good way to get them used to the toilet before graduating to a real one. 

• “Fear free” (no perceived risk of falling in). Another common fear is that they will fall into the toilet. With a potty training toilet, the seat is designed to fit their little bum and is not as deep as a regular toilet so their feet can be planted firmly on the ground instead of dangling. This also makes it easier for your child to get on and off the toilet with ease. 

• Potty training toilets are portable. This is a big pro for many families, especially those who travel or send their children to daycare or camp. Knowing that a potty training toilet is available whenever they need to go can help children feel more comfortable with the potty training process. Potty training toilets can be pulled out on car trips, while running errands, or at other peoples’ houses.

Cons:

• Not as easy or mess-free. There is some cleanup required with potty training toilets, as they do need to be emptied after use, rather than the easy flush of a regular toilet. Finding somewhere to empty and clean the potty training toilet can be tricky when on-the-go. 

• Many potty training toilets are not portable enough to take on a plane or train, or to stow beneath a stroller. Though potty training toilets are designed to be portable, many of them are not small or collapsible enough to be taken on trips that require plane or train travel, or on long walks in the stroller. 

• Some kids need to be trained to use a regular toilet seat. While the potty training toilet can be a great intro to toilet use, some children need to be re-trained to use an adult toilet after learning on a potty training toilet. The difference in size, height, and function can take some getting used to as your little one transitions from potty training toilet to real toilet.

This article has been reviewed by our team of experts.

Disclaimer: The contents of this article does not constitute medical advice. If you have concerns about any health or medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment you should consult with your pediatrician or a licensed healthcare provider.

• Child oriented approach:

  Popularized by T. Berry Brazelton, this approach serves as a model for the toilet training guidelines given by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Using this method, parents are encouraged to look for signs of potty training readiness in their child before beginning the potty training process. This approach encourages a gradual introduction to potty training in which the parent waits for their child to indicate that they are ready for the next step before proceeding. 
  
  

• The Azrin and Foxx Method:

  also known as “toilet training in a day,” this method encourages toilet training over the course of one day using positive reinforcement. Parents encourage the repetition of potty training behaviors, rewarded by praise and occasionally rewards such as snacks or stickers for following instruction. This method typically occurs with the child naked from the waist down to remove the barrier of a diaper or underwear as they learn.
  
  

• Parent-led potty training:

  In Parent-led potty training, parents initiate toilet use by encouraging their child to use the toilet at specific time intervals throughout the day. This could be every 2-3 hours, or after every meal and before bed. This gets the child used to a schedule of using the toilet.
  
  

• Infant Potty Training:

  Parents may avoid diapers altogether from a very young age. With this method, the parent keeps a close eye on the baby’s physical signals to know when they’re ready to poop or pee. When parents sense that their child is ready to go, they bring them to the bathroom and help hold them over the toilet.

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Disclaimer: The contents of this article does not constitute medical advice. If you have concerns about any health or medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment you should consult with your pediatrician or a licensed healthcare provider.

• Introduce relevant vocabulary:

  Introduce words that describe the act of using the toilet, including “pee,” “poop,” and “potty.” Familiarizing your child with these words will help them express their needs when they’re ready to go! Ask your child to verbalize when they need to use the potty and whether they need to pee or poop. 

• Explain proper hygiene:

  Teach your little one how to go to the bathroom safely, including how to wipe and how to wash their hands afterward.

• Build a schedule:

  Identify instances when your toddler seems ready to use the toilet and suggest they try using the toilet. For example, you can say, “Let’s try to use the potty” when your toddler gives you cues that they may need to do so. This will help them associate the words with the actions and identify the feelings associated with these urges. Try to stay within close proximity of a toilet, if possible, so your little one can get there, fast!

• Practice, Practice:

  Have your child practice sitting on the toilet or potty trainer to familiarize them with the sensation. Praise your child for sitting and trying, regardless of whether they actually went pee or poop.

• Switch to potty training panties or underwear:

  Once your little one starts to understand the process and uses the toilet successfully for a few weeks, you can try switching to underwear to further the transition.

This article has been reviewed by our team of experts.

Disclaimer: The contents of this article does not constitute medical advice. If you have concerns about any health or medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment you should consult with your pediatrician or a licensed healthcare provider.

So, how do I know when my child may be ready to start potty training?

These signs may start to appear at different ages depending on each individual child, so experts recommend looking for signs of emotional and physical readiness before starting the potty training process. Parents must also demonstrate emotional readiness and availability, as this process works best when parents can spend time showing and helping their little one through the process patiently.

Here are some signs that your little one may be ready for potty training:

• Bladder and bowel control:

  At this time, toddlers are likely to have better bladder and bowel control that will help them regulate their potty times. Your child should be able to stay dry for about an hour or two while awake during the day. 
  
  

• Verbal communication skills:

  The ability to verbally express any frustrations and understand instructions should help with the ease of this process. Toddlers may also start mimicking the behavior of older siblings or friends, and show an interest in using the potty just like the “big kids” around them!
  
  

• Ability to take clothes on and off (alone or with some assistance):

  While many kids may still need help with this task during or after potty training, it is important they can help with the process of removing their clothes (or can do it themselves) to use the toilet. This will help avoid accidents (not being undressed in time) and allow them to start going to the bathroom alone.
  
  

• Emotional Readiness:

  If your child seems fearful of the toilet or potty training toilet or seat, or doesn’t seem to be getting the hang of the process, pause the training for a few weeks before trying again. You can try bringing them into the bathroom with you, as often as you feel comfortable, and explaining what is happening in order to increase their comfort level.

This article has been reviewed by our team of experts.

Disclaimer: The contents of this article does not constitute medical advice. If you have concerns about any health or medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment you should consult with your pediatrician or a licensed healthcare provider.