“Is it a sign of toilet training issues for my (girl) toddler suddenly refusing to sit on potty? She’s had multiple daily accidents for the last 3 weeks because of it but had no issues before”
I would have liked to know your daughter’s age because it is tricky to answer your question without knowing.
I would first take her to the GP to check she does not have constipation, a bladder infection, or diabetes. Alternatively, consider if something has happened to her recently that may have created an emotional reaction to the potty? Has the refusal to sit on the potty happened as she has started nursery/school? Have you recently moved homes, gone through a divorce, or had a new baby?
It is also useful to remember that learning to use the potty is a skill and like with any other skill, learning is not linear, it usually has setbacks. It is not usual for children to experience potty training regressions. So, try to be patient and understanding. Give her gentle reminders about using the potty regularly. When she uses it, praise her and clearly show how pleased you are. Children like their parents to be pleased with them, so they are likely to repeat behaviours their parents like. Do not make a big fuss when she has accidents. Gently tell her that next time she must remember to use the potty. And you should remember that she is not doing it on purpose.
You will find these articles useful:
My 6-Year-Old Is Having a Lot of Accidents
What to Do with Potty Training Regression?
How Many Potty Training Accidents Are Normal?
I hope this helps! I wish you and your daughter all the very best.
Love,
Ana
“My 6-year-old is having a lot of accidents, even though she was doing well and had gotten though potty training with no problems. What can I do or what is causing this?“
Given that your child is 6, I would first consult with his doctor to rule out any health condition, like a bladder infection, constipation, painful bowel movements, diabetes, or any developmental issue.
If the doctor rules out anything physical, it could be that your child is going through a potty training regression. Regressions can happen for any number of reasons: starting a new school, the arrival of a new sibling, moving home, parental divorce… If your child is going through any of these situations, give him time to adjust to this change. If your child attends school, have a chat with his teacher to find out if there is something going on that may be upsetting him.
Tell your child that you have noticed he is having more accidents and ask him why this might be. Listen to what he has to say and do what you can to support him. Do not blame him, shame him, or punish him when he has an accident. Instead, be supportive and loving. Remind him regularly to use the loo.
I hope this information helps. I wish you and your little one all the very best.
Love,
Ana
“Our doctor mentioned toddler potty training regression when I told him about our potty trained toddler having accidents on purpose. What should I do if he does have regression?”
Potty training regression is normal. Consider that children’s learning is not linear. They sometimes get stuck or may even go backwards depending on other skills they may need or depending on what is going on in their life.
There could be very different reasons for your child to have more accidents: changes in his routine, illness, or an emotional event. The important thing is that you don’t shame him whenever he has an accident and that you remind him to ask for the potty when he needs to wee. Do not punish him when he has an accident. Give him praise when he is successful.
You mention that your toddler is having accidents in purpose. I am not sure what makes you think that he is doing it on purpose. Think that toddlers don’t usually have the mental ability to do things to annoy us. So, I very much doubt that he is having accidents on purpose. It is important that you are clear about this, otherwise potty training may become a power struggle between you and your toddler, and this is something that you should avoid.
You may find these articles useful:
How Many Potty Training Accidents Are Useful?
Tips for Potty Training a Girl
I hope this information helps. I wish you and your little one all the very best.
Love,
Ana
“Quick question: how many potty training accidents are normal when you first start potty training? Other parents told me it was so easy, some say it took a year, and I don’t know what to expect (we’re just starting)”.
As you can see from what other parents have told you, each child is different. Some children learn to use the potty quickly, whereas others find it more difficult. It does not mean anything whether your child finds it difficult or easy.
Accidents happen, they are part of the learning process. Some children may have trouble recognizing when they need to wee, whereas others may have accidents because they get too excited about what they are doing and forget that they need to the potty.
There isn’t a “normal” number of accidents. Remember to be consistent, patient and to reassure your child whenever he has an accident. With time, your child will have stop having accidents.
Have a read at this article: Tips for Potty Training Boys
I hope this information is useful. I wish your family all the very best.
Love,
Ana
“Tips for potty training boys please”
Potty training is a tricky period for many families. So much so that it’s a time associated with increased child abuse. It is very important to be mindful of this while potty training your child. In fact, we talk a lot about when to do it based on children’s needs, but we should also take into consideration to do it at a time when we are not feeling particularly stressed.
There are different training methods, and there is not a best method. This means that different methods work for different families and children. The important thing is to find the one that works for you.
In general, there are two methods:
- Parent-led: you decide when to start potty training your child. You take the diapers away and you start to sit him on the potty often and regularly. With luck, within a few days, he will learn to use it.
- Child-led: you wait for your child to show signs that he is ready, and you encourage them to use the potty when you see that he needs to pee.
Some useful tips:
- Get ready to be patient, very, very, very patient. Waiting for your child to pee can take an excruciating long time. It can be as boring as watching paint dry.
- Establish a routine: sit your son on the potty when he wakes up, before naps and bedtime, and after meals.
- Give him tons of praise and encouragement. Make it fun. You don’t want it to become a power struggle.
- When he has accidents, do not shame him or tell him off. Tell him that it is totally OK and remind him to tell you when he needs the potty.
- Many children get used quickly to pee in the potty but find it way harder to poo in the potty. This can become a problem, because when they withhold the poo, they can become constipated and then they don’t want to poo because it is painful. If your son is in this situation, giving him a diaper to poop in the bathroom next to the potty may work.
- Staying dry at night usually takes much longer. Staying dry at night basically requires your body to wake you up when you need to pee. This ability develops sooner for some children than for others. In general, you should only worry if your child doesn’t master this ability by the age of 6.
It is a good idea to potty train your son during the holidays, so you have time to do it without the stress of him having to go back to nursery or school before he has mastered the potty. Also, don’t do it when he is going through a change, like a divorce, moving homes, or starting school.
I hope this information helps! Good luck with it and arm yourself with a lot of patience!
Lots of love to you and your little one.
Ana
