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5 Nighttime Potty Training Tips For Stressed First Time Moms
nighttime potty training
Here’s the first thing that I want you to know about nighttime potty training – it is a different beast from daytime potty training altogether AND I don’t recommend doing day and night training together.
Why?
Because, it is typically FAR less stressful when done separately, and that is what I am all about – low stress. (Hence the name of my website wink wink)
Yep! I recommend that once you see daytime success THEN, you ease into utilizing some night tips… And, before you know it, you are past this milestone with a more natural flow and with minimal chaos! (I’m sure you have a friend or two in real life or on Instagram that have some potty training horror stories that have freaked you out. Most moms do! I want to help you avoid those experiences.)
Think of daytime potty training as a prerequisite to nighttime potty training, if you will.
Read this next:
When To Start Potty Training Your Toddler (so it’s easier for all!)How To Get Your Toddler To Pee & Poop IN The Potty
How To Potty Train Like A Pro – The Peaceful Potty Training Method
In fact, you know, I don’t even like to call it nighttime ‘training’ because there is so much biological development that has to line up in order for a toddler to stay dry all night. And while there are some things we can control or help our toddler control, your toddler’s bladder while they sleep might not be one of those things until they are 4-5yrs+.
Bed wetting through age 7 is actually considered normal and not something to generally worry about. Your toddler’s bladder needs to send a strong enough signal to their brain to wake them up, which is why nighttime potty training success depends a lot on their system’s development.
1. daytime potty training, first
As I mentioned above, go for daytime potty training success first and hold off on any nighttime potty training UNLESS your toddler is self-initiating using the potty, has clear urge awareness and has a dry diaper after waking from naps and night sleeping.
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If your toddler is doing the above things – they are showing readiness for nighttime potty training.
Read this next:
Potty Training Regressions – Why They Happen & What To DoHow To Utilize A Peace Corner When Potty Training Your Emotional Toddler
What To Do If Your Toddler Gets Constipated During Potty Training
For many moms however, they are starting with a toddler who needs help getting in tune with their body’s urges so they can time using the potty before they have an accident. They are often also dealing with a toddler who gives push back when asked to sit, for various reasons (not wanting to leave their toys, fear of the potty, etc).
If you want the quickest success with potty training, don’t ask your toddler if they have to go. Instead, schedule potty breaks throughout the day according to their potty cues, where you go together to sit, until they get into a habit of sitting and get used to paying attention to their potty urges.
Check out these helpful toddler potty books:
Here are some articles that will help you recognize your toddler’s potty cues and help you get them to sit on the potty, regularly, with less fuss: Indicators Your Toddler Is About To Pee or Poop – Teaching Urge Awareness & How To Potty Train Like A Pro – The Peaceful Potty Training Method
2. go diaper free after you notice consistent dryness
Once you’ve seen consistent daytime success, I’d say 10 days or more of regular and mostly successful potty use, you and your toddler will be pretty comfortable with how using the potty goes.
If you follow my Peaceful Potty Training Method, your toddler is most likely fully potty trained or close to it by the 10 day mark.
My general rule of thumb for going diaper free at night is – after your toddler is fully daytime potty trained and/or you notice dry nap and bedtime diapers, for at least a week.
Doing it this way, allows you less stress, gives them time to adjust to all the changes and helps everyone get into a more manageable and predictable schedule.
Read this next:
EVERYTHING You Will Need In Place Before Potty Training Your Toddler
Be sure to have a waterproof mattress cover on their bed to keep their mattress protected and maybe have a few sets of spare sheets so clean up is quicker and easier for you.
Check out these top-rated waterproof covers:
Remember, avoid scolding, punishments, rewards and bribes, as all of these things can create more tension, confusion, lack of focus and even resentment toward the parent.
Your toddler may then have a negative association with the potty, pushing them farther from the goal of using it regularly and naturally, which will in turn, make this milestone feel so much more difficult for you.
3. Set up a ‘potty station’ in their room for easier access
Cutting out as much distance from point A to point B during potty training, especially the beginning stages, will help your toddler be successful, more often than not. You can easily set up a ‘potty station’ with a potty and something underneath, like a towel, to catch spills.
Once your toddler is better able to hold their pee and poop and has consistent success with their in-room potty station, you can slowly move it toward the regular bathroom. With each move, your toddler may have to get their timing down, meaning more accidents. It’s okay, they are adjusting and will get better and better with practice.
Check out these comfortable potty options:
4. daytime routine & hydration (limiting liquids after dinner)
There are some simple yet effective routine tweaks you can make to set your toddler up for the best results overnight, when doing nighttime potty training.
First, ensure they are on a solid daytime routine. This goes for pottying, playing freely and happily and eating well, more often than not.
Next, make sure they are adequately hydrated throughout the day, and limit liquids after dinner time.
5. multiple potty breaks before bed
Have them sit on the potty multiple times before bed. 2-3 times is usually adequate.
Even if they feel like they don’t have to go, I’d encourage them to sit ‘just in case’. This is one of my favorite lines – ‘just in case’ because they are ‘still learning’ and we want to try our very best not to have accidents.
I also focus on the word ‘sit’ rather than ‘pee or poop’ or ‘go’, this way, there’s less pressure on them to make something happen. I find that toddlers get less frustrated when they hear ‘sit’ because if they believe they don’t have to go and they hear you say ‘go’, this may spark upset.
Related Toddler-Focused Articles:
How To Get Your Toddler To Listen – 7 Steps To Better Listening Today
Is Your Toddler Fighting Nap & Bedtime? Here’s What To Do
Sometimes, also giving them a tickle on their final sit is the best way to really see if anything else is going to come out lol.
should i wake my toddler to use the potty?
If you have a toddler who falls back asleep easily, you could try this. It is not my recommendation but, it is a method some moms use and have success with. Also, you could opt to wake them a 5-10 minutes before you usually do in the morning. Many toddlers pee just as they wake up, so this could help keep them dry too.
Personally, I find waking them through the night unnecessary and exhausting, especially if a toddler doesn’t fall back to sleep easily and/or a family isn’t getting quality sleep because of a newborn sibling etc, this can be very disruptive and frustrating for all (we deal with enough of that! No need to create another situation that is hard for us to manage. Let’s aim for balance instead.)
There are some bed wetting sensors that will set off an alarm to wake your child if they wet the bed. This could be used as a signal to have them get up and use the potty. Depending on your toddler’s age (most recommend ages 6yrs and older), you may opt to try this.
Check out these helpful bed wetting tools:
But overall, making the routine tweaks I mentioned above and waiting for after nap and bedtime diaper dryness, is generally a much smoother journey for all.
final thoughts
Get your toddler fully day potty trained and/or look for diaper dryness after nap and bedtime before doing any overnight ‘training’, this will set you up for the most success with nighttime potty training.
Keep them hydrated throughout the day, then have them sit several times before bed. If you allow drinks in bed or around bedtime, make sure they sit 10-15 minutes after drinking liquids.
Use mattress protector and have extra sheets on hand for quick clean up.
Be patient with your toddler. Keep a laid back mindset. Let their body development cues lead the way (you’ll most likely find that it’s different with each of your children!)
Unlike daytime potty training where you can teach and coach, nighttime is far more passive and depends on their brain receiving signals from their bladder. So, if after trying the above tips, it appears that their system is not quite ready for nighttime potty training, it’s okay. No rush. They are fine, you are fine, everyone is different and they will get past this!
Try the tips listed above and if they don’t work, try again at a later time. Sometimes a few weeks or a couple months can make ALL the difference.
If your child is older than 7 years or you are concerned there is something more serious going on, consult your pediatrician. You can also read further about more serious bed wetting here.
You’ve got this! Do what feels manageable and is best for your family’s schedule and needs.
