Potty training regression is a common issue that parents of toddlers may face. Regression can be caused by a number of things including illness, traveling, or life changes. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help prevent regression and keep your toddler on track with their potty-training progress. In this post, we’ll discuss what causes potty training regression and how to avoid it.
Potty training regression is when a toddler who has been successfully potty trained reverts to having frequent accidents again and must revisit previous potty-training methods. Potty training regression can be caused by a number of things, such as illness, traveling, or a lifestyle change. Furthermore, it could be a result of your toddler feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or stressed.
If you’re concerned that your toddler may be experiencing potty training regression, learning what causes potty training regression and early intervention could be an effective method for preventing it from becoming worse. In the next section, we’ll go over some effective methods for preventing potty training regression in toddlers.
The Top 3 Causes of Potty-Training Regression
In order to prevent or address potty-training regression, we must first understand what causes potty training regression to begin with.
There are many potential causes of potty-training regression, some of which are:
- Illness: If your child is unwell, they may not feel like using the potty. In fact, they may find it difficult to do anything other than rest. Make sure that you keep a close eye on your child’s symptoms and provide plenty of fluids to help them recover.
- Traveling: When your family is on the go, potty training can be difficult. If your child is used to going potty at home in a specific routine, traveling can throw off their schedule and lead to regression. There are a few things you can do to help minimize potty-training issues while traveling. That includes, planning ahead and bringing along potty-training supplies.
- Life changes: A big change in your toddler’s life, such as a new sibling or starting preschool, can lead to potty training regression. These changes can be overwhelming for toddlers and may result in them feeling anxious or stressed. When trying to potty train a toddler who is experiencing regression, it’s important to be patient and understanding
More common reasons why toddlers may experience potty-training regression are:
- Distractions
- Diet
- Not wanting to grow up too fast
- Separation anxiety
- Fear or anxiety about using the potty
- Habit reversal
- Wanting more attention from parents
- Being too busy playing
- Not noticing the urge to go potty
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Once you have determined the cause of your child’s potty-training regression, you can take steps to help them overcome it.
Early Intervention: How to Prevent Potty Training Regression in Toddlers All Together
In some cases, early intervention can prevent potty training regression from happening all together or becoming worse if you notice it soon enough.
There are a number of things you can do to prevent potty training regression in toddlers. That includes:
- Not being in a hurry to potty train your toddler, make sure that your toddler is ready to be potty trained and avoiding doing so too soon.
- Making sure that your toddler is fully potty trained before moving on to a new learning milestone.
- Continuing the use of praise and rewards even after you toddler has gotten good with potty training.
- Regularly reminding your toddler to use the potty even when they don’t have to go, in order to establish a solid foundation that is almost second nature.
- Keeping a positive attitude about using the potty, so that your toddler enjoys it and doesn’t develop a negative association with going potty over time.
- If your child has recently experienced a lifestyle change help them process and adjust to the situation, while paying close attention to their potty-training progress.
- If your child is unwell, monitor their symptoms and help them get plenty of fluids for hydration.
- If your child is traveling, try to keep their schedule as close to normal as possible and bring along potty-training supplies.
How to Address Potty-Training Regression
If you notice that your toddler is starting to have more frequent accidents, or if they are displaying any of the signs of potty-training regression listed above, try some of these methods:
- Try to address the reason for regression, opposed to the regression itself: In other words, find out the cause of your child’s potty-training regression and try to fix it. If they are feeling overwhelmed by a life change, for example, help them adjust to the change in a way that is comfortable for them. If your child is unwell, make sure they take plenty of rest and drink fluids.
- Stay positive and supportive: Pushing your child to continue potty training when they’re not ready, or are experience a difficult time in life, will only lead to frustration. It’s important to stay positive and supportive during this process, and let your child take the lead.
- Reevaluate your potty-training routine: If regression is occurring due to a change in your toddler’s daily routine, such as a new school-schedule, try to adjust your potty-training routine to accommodate this.
- Make sure your child is drinking enough fluids: Dehydration can often lead to potty-training regression. Make sure your child is drinking enough fluids, especially if they are unwell.
- Decrease distractions: If your child is experiencing potty-training regression due to distractions, try to minimize these distractions as much as possible. This may mean, having fewer toys in the bathroom, or only allowing your child to play with certain toys in the bathroom.
- Increase supervision: If you feel that your child is reverting back to their old potty-training habits because they are not remembering to go potty, increase supervision. This will help to remind them when it is time to go potty.
- Use a sticker chart: A sticker chart can be a great way to motivate your child and help them stay on track with their potty-training progress.
- Reintroduce a reward system: Rewards, such as a favorite toy, or a trip to their favorite restaurant, can be a great way to motivate your child. The will help them stay on track with their potty-training progress.
- Try a different potty-training method: If you feel that your child is struggling with one particular method of potty training, try a different method.
- Take a break: If your child is experiencing a lot of stress or anxiety about potty training, or if they are struggling with one particular step of the process, try taking a break from potty training. This will give your child some time to relax and de-stress. They can then try potty training again when they are feeling more confident.
Is it Normal for Toddlers to Experience Potty-Training Regression?
It’s normal for toddlers to regress in their potty-training progress from time to time. In fact, according to the book “What to Expect the Toddler Years“, most toddlers will experience some degree of potty-training regression.
It’s important to understand that you and your child are not alone in this process, and that regression is a common issue that parents of toddlers may face. You may find it beneficial to speak with other parents who have experienced potty training regression to get their support, perspective, and advice. Sometimes it can help to see that you are not the only one dealing with this and give you the confidence needed to address it.
How Long Does Potty Training Regression Last?
While potty-training regression can be discouraging for parents, it is important to remember that regression is only temporary. It can last for as little as a day or two, or it can last for a few weeks or short months. On average, it usually lasts only a few weeks.
However, it is important to note that no matter how long it lasts, most toddlers will eventually overcome potty-training regression and will continue to make progress in their potty training. During this time, it is important to remain positive and supportive of your child. With a little patience and guidance, your child will be back on track with their potty-training progress.
Tips for Dealing With Potty Training Regression in Toddlers
- Stay positive and supportive
- Decrease distractions
- Increase supervision
- Use a sticker chart
- Reintroduce a reward system
- Make sure your child is drinking enough fluids
- Try a different potty-training
- Take a break
- Consult with other parents
- Seek guidance from a professional
- Talk to your pediatrician if you have any concerns
Final Thoughts
If your toddler is experiencing potty training regression, don’t worry. It’s normal and there are things you can do to help prevent it and get them back on track. Try following some of the tips in this article to help your toddler make progress in their potty-training and overcome any regression they may experience.
If you have more questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to us, consult with other parents, or seek guidance from a professional. Lastly, always remember to stay positive and supportive of your child during this process. They will overcome this regression!
We hope the tips in this post have been helpful for you. Be sure to subscribe to our blog for more content like this, as well as helpful information and resources specifically tailored for parents of toddlers. Thanks for reading!
