Toilet training during the day is one thing, but at night it can be a whole different story. Bed-wetting is common in young children and usually not anything to worry about. However, if your child is over the age of four and still has night time accidents, it might be time to intervene.
Start explaining to them that they have to wake up if they need to go, and avoid having nappies at night. This will give them an idea that they are being trained and that they need to learn. You can also let them know that a dry nappy makes a daddy and mommy happy.
How to toilet train at night
Here are some basic or common practices on how to toilet train at night:
Choose a time when everyone in the house is asleep
Night is a good time to start toilet training and an afternoon nap is also a great time to practice. This will minimise distractions and allow your child to focus on the task at hand. At night, it is better to have a night light so you won’t disturb their sleep cycle with bright room lights when they get up.
Explain what you’re going to do and why it is important
Be clear about communicating to your child what you’re doing and why night time toilet training is important. This will help them understand the process and feel more comfortable with it. By being concise, you can also avoid any confusion or misunderstanding with your child.
Praise them when they finish
In the morning, let them know what they did well and that you’re proud of them for not having a wet bed. This positive reinforcement will help motivate them to keep up the good work! Their achievement should also be celebrated with a small reward, like candy or other treats.
If your child has an accident, simply clean up the mess
Don’t scold them or make them feel bad about it. Always remember that accidents can happen at the most unexpected times, and these are just a part of the learning process. Having a dry nappy may not be achievable in the first week, so be patient in the process of maturity.
Let them do it alone while observing
Let them do things alone when they’re ready and be there to assist them if needed. This will help build their independence, and will give them a sense of completion when they’re able to do it by themselves. Self-reliance is a decent sign of progress in their night time potty training.
10 Night Time Toilet Training Tips
For new parents and late bloomers alike, here are a dozen tips to help make the training process as smooth as possible:
Have them sit on the toilet and play with their toys
This can make potty time more fun and relaxed instead of a dreaded chore. It makes them more likely to actually use the toilet instead of holding it in all night. This can also make them think that going to the bathroom is okay despite waking up in the middle of the night.
Be patient
Every child will be different. Many children cannot get this in one go. Some get used to it in a couple of months and have a series of night time accidents the next week. Just be patient and eventually, they’ll know what to do.
Understand your child’s abilities
You know your child better than anyone. If they’re showing signs that they’re not ready, then it’s probably best to wait a bit longer. Pushing them too hard can backfire and make the process more difficult.
Use a portable potty for starters
There are times that your toddler may not make it to the toilet in time. A portable potty can help with that and make things less messy. It’ll reduce nasty accidents and make the transition easier. This can also make your child comfortable with having to go to the toilet.
Let them communicate
Give them time to talk about how they’re feeling. This will help build their positivity and make them feel more comfortable about the process. Some may not be verbal about it, but you can still try to gauge their comfort level about going to the toilet.
Use a plastic sheet in case they still leave a wet bed
Put a plastic sheet on the mattress to protect it and avoid your mattress from getting soaked. Change the sheets as soon as they wake up in the morning so they’re not sleeping in a wet bed.
Explain to them what just happened and let them understand that this can be avoided if they go to the toilet before bedtime. This can be a start in the toilet training process.
Be consistent, also with breaks
Do not pressure them if they’re not ready. Stop for a few days or even weeks if needed. Consistency is key, but also understand that your child may need some time off. It is also the time to prepare spare sheets and put on overnight nappies.
Look for opportunities
There may be times that your child will wake up in the middle of the night. If this happens, you can also insert some toilet training by asking them if they want to go to the toilet before putting them back into bed.
Start once or twice a week
Gradual expanse is best. Toilet training at night can be difficult, so start with a few days a week then increase it as your child gets more comfortable with the process. Making it daily can be overwhelming, so take your time.
Gradually increase the number of nights over time
Toilet training at night is a process, so take your time and increase the number of nights gradually. This will make it much bearable for your child. Wait until it becomes a habit and make it their bedtime routine eventually.
Things you might need for toilet training
There are different items that can help make toilet training a successful one. These tools will help you stay away from wet sheets and closer to dry nights.
Potty chair
This can be placed next to the bed so your child doesn’t have to go far when they need to go in the middle of the night. Choose one that is comfortable and not too big or small. Dispose the waste frequently to keep it clean.
Toilet seats
Specifically, a toilet seat reducer makes the toilet seat smaller. This will help your child feel comfy and calm in the toilet while seated on it.
Step tool
This allows children to reach the toilet seat easily. Place it next to the potty chair or toilet so they can use it when needed. Make sure it can carry its weight, does not slip, and is not too high or low.
Training pants
These pants are designed to hold a small amount of urine so your child won’t feel wet after an accident. Also called absorbent pants, this will also absorb any leaks that may happen during the night.
Underwear
Acting like a nappy, underwear can also hold any accidents that may happen. They are also more comfortable than nappies and training pants, yet these don’t guarantee night-time dryness.
Okinja ELC will help your child with their development
Okinja ELC specialises in child development for potential. We encourage children in play-based learning and effective communication to allow character development towards a healthy family. We also have clean and sanitised toilet utilities for your child to put their training into practice here. Contact us at 07 5479 2222 or admin@okinjaelc.com.au.
