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Potty Training Advice: Tips for Managing Regressions

In this issue of our practical advice and potty training tips from regular mamas who have been there , we’re talking about managing regressions when your child is potty training.

Sometimes our kids take a backwards step in the process of learning to potty train. Parents can find this particularly frustrating, finding that they are again having to revisit many of the potty training steps previously mastered. But it’s amazing how many kids take two steps forwards and then one step back as their bodies learn to manage the physical requirements of successfully using the potty.

So, today we are talking with our panel of experienced mamas about potty regressions.

How did you manage regressions?

Tips for managing regressions with potty training

  • My firstborn went back to night wetting after her second sister was born (she was 4). We put extra sheets on the bed and took her to the toilet in her sleep (usually before we went to bed) until it passed. SH
  • Regressions have usually been associated with my husband being away or another routine change. We give lots of cuddles in between and try not making a big deal about accidents. SP
  • J regressed with No. 2’s after she had an accident at day care that was quite an ordeal (first meal of mexican beef….say no more).  It was three weeks of every emotion until we got back on track.  I was very patient at first but regression is hard to handle after they have mastered the art of going to the potty.  Patience was replaced by frustration and, at times, anger.  I consulted all of the parenting books I had and they all said the same thing, hang in there – so we did.  Smiles through clenched teeth and small rewards slowly paid off.  My mantra became a comment made by one of the authors in my baby books,  “No-one walks down the aisle wearing a nappy”. TW
  • We’ve never really had issues with regression. M goes through patches where he’s less attentive to the whole toilet thing than others, but usually that is because he’s tired, or unwell, or focusing his attention on something else, and he always comes good without any issues. KF
  • My middle child goes through phases of being easily distracted by fun things and wanting to hold on as long as possible – then often until she wets her pants. I try to give timely reminders and attempt not to get too annoyed. SH
  • We would take a step back and then repeat what we did before. AH
  • Treat them as no big deal. CO

Do you have any advice to share for managing toilet training regressions?

For more on potty training be sure to check out Teaching Kids How to Wipe and Nighttime Potty Training Tips.

With thanks for sharing to Shae (Mum to 3 girls), Tanya (Mum to a pigeon pair), Amanda (Mum to 2 girls), Kate (Mum to 4 – two of each), Cath (Mum to 1+1) and Sarah (Mum to 2 boys and 1 girl).

Christie Burnett is an early childhood teacher, presenter, writer and the editor of Childhood 101. More importantly, she is a Mum who believes wholeheartedly in the value of children learning through play, the importance of quality early education, and the togetherness of family.

Filed Under: Potty Training Tagged With: toilet training tips

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Read the comments or scroll down to add your own:

  1. Gab says

    September 1, 2011 at 7:00 PM

    My son regressed at four when his second sister was born. When I was feeding or something like that , he would poo or wee in the corner. I was so tired and thought I would go mad. After losing it a few times I realized that the only way to deal with it was to ignore it. Although I was screaming on the inside I would stay calm, blank face, clean it up and move on. It was hard but it stopped quickly then. Now night times....... That's another story.
  2. Mary @ Parenthood says

    September 1, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    My daughter regressed with #2 while we were travelling recently. Turned out that change in diet plus less exercise led to major constipation. So please check for the physical causes before assuming it's a something the child has control over. Fruits and vegetables did the trick, but we wish we had taken that approach first instead of gently reminding her to use the facilities instead of her panties. Led to a lot of frustration for both of us. UTIs can apparently cause regression too, both giving the child less time to make it to the toilet and causing pain which makes them want to avoid peeing.
  3. Roxanne B says

    September 1, 2011 at 8:08 PM

    I had a really hard time with potty training and getting my daughter to stay dry. After several months of things getting worse and worse with peeing, I finally figured it out...food allergies! No one talks about this; your doctor will know nothing of it. But if you find that the accidents are not making sense and you can't figure it out, I urge you to look into the food your child is eating. My daughter was peeing 12-14 times per day (an impossibility to stay dry for a 2-1/2 year old!). With the elimination of gluten, dairy and coconut she now pees a normal 5-6 times per day and stays dry!
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