Nighttime potty training can be a challenging and frustrating experience for both parents and children. While daytime potty training is usually achieved around the age of 3, nighttime training may take longer and requires more patience and consistency. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips and tricks to help you successfully night-time potty train your child.
Set a Schedule
Establishing a consistent nighttime routine is key to successful potty training. Encourage your child to use the bathroom before bed and make sure they have plenty of time to go. Gradually increase the time between bedtime and the last bathroom trip to help your child build bladder control.
Limit Fluid Intake
Limiting your child's fluid intake before bedtime is another effective strategy for nighttime potty training. Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids during the day but reduce drinks at least two hours before bedtime. This will reduce the chances of accidents during the night.
Reward Success
Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool for potty training. Reward your child with praise and small rewards, such as stickers or a favourite treat, for successful nighttime bathroom trips. This will help motivate your child to continue using the bathroom at night and help build their confidence.
Create a potty station in their room
Children's bladders are smaller than adults which means the urgency to use the bathroom may happen very quickly, to speed things up and avoid an accident, put a potty station in your child's room, that way they don't have far to travel if they way in the night.
Put a night light in their room
Your child may be waking up in the night when they need to go toilet but are simply afraid of the dark and so refuse to make the trip to the bathroom and end up wetting themselves.
To combat this, leave a hallway light on, put a night light in your child's room or equip them with a little torch that they can take to the toilet with them.
Be Patient
Nighttime potty training takes time and patience. Accidents will happen, so it's important to remain calm and supportive. Avoid punishing your child for accidents and instead focus on encouraging them to continue trying.
For those times when accidents happen, grab yourself a pack of Piddle Pads to make those midnight sheet changes a breeze.
Remember, up until now your child has been able to pee and poop when and wherever so be gracious! They will get there.