Are They Dry at Night? Some Practical Training Ideas

Your child won’t likely be dry at night for a while after they are during the day. To begin with, the night is a long time. It’s possible that your child won’t be able to stay dry for very long. Children must gradually learn to wake up when they feel the urge.

Does your kid still sleep in a cot? Can they use the restroom by themselves at night? What size and strength do they have? Do they have a nightlight or can they reach the light switch? Some kids don’t start sleeping through the night until they are five or six years old; if they are still having trouble, talk to your doctor. Be at ease until then. Make sure they get plenty of liquids during the day, but two hours before bed, I advise limiting liquids to sips of water.

A whispered “well done” is sufficient at that time; you do not want to fully awaken the child. I also found that lifting a child at around ten o’clock in the evening and taking them to the bathroom was helpful; even though they barely woke, they were able to pee and went straight back to sleep again.

Pull-ups are necessary if you don’t want to end up with a laundry mountain as they grow and become embarrassed about being wet at night. Don’t chastise a child for handling mishaps kindly. Consider their feelings; they are likely also upset. You can screw up your nose to demonstrate that it is offensive and unattractive as a motivator to be dry.

A dry diaper in the morning and the ability to last for extended periods of time while being dry during the daytime are both indications that your child was able to stay dry all night. If you feel they are ready, try lifting them at ten o’clock; it really does help.

When it is so easy to stop it from happening, you don’t want the issue of smelly, wet mattresses that can soon be destroyed. You can get plastic protectors for both the mattress and the pillows.

Reminders & Guidelines for Stress Free Potty Training

• Make sure they consume six or more water-based beverages daily. Not tea or coffee; absolutely not fizzy beverages. The caffeine in tea and coffee makes them inappropriate for kids.

• Two hours before going to bed, cut back on drinking, but encourage drinking a lot earlier.

• A child should wear easy-to-take-off, easily-laundered clothing to make things easier, especially in the beginning stages of training.

• A short “sit” is long enough or they will get bored and resist. When first introducing the potty, praise especially, reading a story or playing with building blocks are helpful. If potty training encounters resistance, provide a suitable choice of two enjoyable activities.

• Boys should be encouraged to sit rather than stand at first because they can urinate and/or poop while they are still learning to interpret sensations or desires and learning control.

• If other adults are involved, make sure they follow the same plan so as to avoid confusing the child.

• Every step of the way, compliment your child; help him feel proud of his efforts and accomplishments. He will adore getting your approval and being made to feel good. Never belittle or undermine others.

• Be prepared, be patient, and don’t correct your child too harshly if they make an accident. If, after some time, you realize it’s too early and your child isn’t ready, put off further attempts for a few weeks before you try again. You’ll have been keeping an eye out for indications that you were prepared.

• Use the restroom or toilet and brush your teeth before going to bed.

• Even though they were sleepy, I found it helpful to lift my kids at ten o’clock; they quickly went potty. then immediately go back to sleep.

• Never scold, humiliate, or punish a child because they are already likely to be upset.

If you’re having trouble, I hope these suggestions will be useful.