Potty Training Setbacks - Bayside,NY

Hi P.,
When a child under 2 trains easily, there can be setbacks - they are not old enough to realize that this is expected of them all the time, they are doing it because it's fun at the time. Day and night training are separate, I see nothing wrong with diapering at night.
During the day, if you are waiting for her to tell you that she needs the bathroom or take herself there, I would start taking her every hour and a half or so. Telling a parent that they need to use the bathroom is often a late step in the training process. If she is waiting to long to get to the bathroom, start taking her regularly. Since she already knows what to do, she'll probably go when you take her, and avoid those accidents.
Good luck!

She gets tired and forgets to tell you she has to go. She is still learning what her body feels like. Try to pay attention to how long its been since she went and remind her to go. They usually have to go about every hour at that age. You should try to understand and not show annoyance, since they so want to please at this age.

I don't know much about potty training, but I suggest checking with the doctor to make sure that she doesn't have a urinary tract infection. When I was little, I started having accidents at 3 years old, and I still remember being "in trouble" for months! It turns out I had a recurring UTI, and what I needed was medicine.

Good luck with your little star!

Dear P.,

Potty training a child under two is very young in my opinion. Not that it can't be done but I think to expect no accidents is not being realistic. I own a nursery school and have potty trained hundreds of kids and in most cases moms do not even try until around 2 and a half. I would like one poster suggested make sure it is nothing medical first and then just realize these things are going to happen. Especially at night, some children do not have complete nighttime bladder control sometimes until 5 or so. Instead of a diaper maybe you should put cloth training underwear on her they are very thick and absorbent. I am not sure a diaper is a good idea because she may become confused and regress. They also sell waterproof crib mats I used them for my son and this way if there is an accident it doesn't get to the sheets you just have to change her clothes and wash the mat. She could just be in such a rush or tired when going to the potty at night and not completely emptying her bladder. Try to go with her and let her sit for a few minutes to make sure she is going. During the day notice if she is so busy playing she doesn't want to take the time to go to the potty which is very normal for her age. I am sure this is just a temporary setback and it will all work itself out don't give up. Good luck!!

Hi P.

Its Possible that she may have a Urinary Tract infection and she is wee weeing before she can make it to the potty. It wouldnt hurt to just rule that out as a problem. As we all know as women an UTI increases the frequency and urge to urinate. Hope this is helpfull and good luck.

Set backs are usually a form of maturation, but there is always the possibility of outside factors that cause them. Try to avoid putting her back in disposables--use some cloth diapers or put down a waterproof layer (lanolinized wool blanket pul pad etc.) covered with a towel under her for bed protection when she sleeps. Also make sure she's wearing clothes she can get off easily on her own, as it could be a sign of her wanting more independence.

The biggest external problems when potty training tend to be: emotional, nutritional and environmental/chemical.

First off it's getting colder, not being warm enough does influence bladder control, so another layer of clothing--especially around her belly might help her. Rainy days also tend to encourage more "misses" :-/ If your bathroom tends to be chilly, consider a space heater or moving the potty to a warm area. Baby leggings/long socks under a warm skirt/dress will allow your little girl to keep most of her clothes on while she uses the potty as well.

Has anything in her environment changed? (A new bed, different house cleaning supplies, new bedding, bedding that was just pulled out from storage . . . ) Try washing your bedding and double checking your cleaning supplies to make sure she isn't having a chemical reaction to any of them.

New foods/food reactions can also have an effect on bladder control--is your daughter truly surprised when she wets herself or is it more like "I know it's coming, but I'm too busy to take a potty break."

Exhaustion is also a huge factor at this age--you mentioned that your daughter has more trouble in the evening and night, so make an extra effort to make sure you take your daughter to the potty when you know she may be too tired to realize she has to pee--random crankiness is a pretty good sign to look for :D On days when she's been excessively active or missed a nap, try sitting her on the potty if you notice her wiggling around the bed--don't wake her up, just sit her on the potty and tell her quietly its time to pee. It may take a minute or two, but she should settle and eliminate with some gentle encouragement.

Good luck and when there's an oops take a deep breath and count to 10.