Toddler Potty Training: Accidents Will Happen

Dealing with accidents whilst toddler potty training is inevitable and is all part of the learning process. It can be helpful to know how to handle them, and why they might be happening. Potty training toddlers is a journey for parents and toddlers!

Firstly, to avoid having accidents keep your toddler in pull-ups until he is almost dry with pull-ups, then progress onto toddler training pants. It can be useful to know that accidents are more likely to happen at certain times so it pays to be aware of when these could be so that you are more equipped to cope with them. Less stress all round.

Always have spare clothes, nappies and toddler training pants or pull ups ready to hand (especially when you are away from home). Also have a good disinfectant cleaner ready to make the clean up job easy and quick (you can get disinfectant especially for the job).

Triggers For Toddler Potty Training Accidents

• Pressure: the pressure to succeed at potty training usually has the reverse effect. Too much pressure will cause anxiety and stress for your child. Your child needs to feel confident and able to learn at his own pace with your encouragement and reassurance.
• Stress: Stress to toddler can be caused by a variety of sources. Examples include a new care setting, a new sibling, separation anxiety, new care arrangements, sleep training, new schedules, any changes to his normal routine.
• Concentration: Your toddler could be having so much fun doing something or so engrossed in an activity he either does not want to live it or is not aware enough of the urgency to reach the potty or toilet. You will need to remind him and check if he needs to go whilst reassuring him that he can go back to what he is doing.
• Tiredness: when toddlers are tired they can often revert to wanting to be looked after as there were when they were a baby. Tiredness can really effect a toddler so be watchful of sleepy eyes, yawning or hyperactiveness.
• Difficult clothing: Make sure your toddler can easily take off his clothes and pull down his pull-ups or toddler training pants. Everything needs to be done as easily as possible.
• Waiting to long: Your toddler will take practice to learn how much time he needs from sensing that he needs to go to the toilet to actually succeeding in going. He will need to experiment and generally they want to leave it to the last second and inevitably sometimes it will just be too late.
• Infection or physical problem: If your child complains that he doesn't want to go for a wee because it hurts, or there is any blood or the urine flow is just a trickle, check things with your doctor. He could have an infection or there could be a physiological problem - rare, but worth checking out.

Accidents are almost bound to happen whilst potty training toddlers so if you expect them to happen you are hopefully more able to deal with them and stay calm.

Bit by bit your toddler will gain control. If you are worried at any stage always seek advice from your medical professional. A small percentage of children are not able to gain full bladder control and will need professional help.

But this really is the minority - toddler potty training usually takes time, patience and practice and lots of humour a long the way.