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Potty training: How to get the job done
Accidents will happen
You may breathe easier once your child figures out how to use the toilet, but expect occasional accidents and near misses. Here's help preventing — and handling — wet pants.
- Slow down. Remind your child to relax and take it slow. Completely emptying the bladder can help prevent accidents.
- Offer reminders. Accidents often happen when kids are absorbed in activities that — for the moment — are more interesting than using the toilet. To fight this phenomenon, suggest regular bathroom trips, such as first thing in the morning, after each meal and snack, and before getting in the car or going to bed. Point out telltale signs of holding it, such as holding the genital area.
- Stay calm. Kids don't have accidents to irritate their parents. If your child has an accident, don't add to the embarrassment by scolding or disciplining your child. You may say, "You forgot this time. Next time you'll get to the bathroom sooner."
- Be prepared. If your child has frequent accidents, absorbent underwear may be best. Keep a change of underwear and clothing handy, especially at school or in child care.
When to seek help
Occasional accidents are harmless, but they can lead to teasing, embarrassment and alienation from peers. If your potty-trained child reverts or loses ground — especially at age 4 or older — or you're concerned about your child's accidents, contact his or her doctor. Sometimes wetting problems indicate an underlying physical condition, such as a urinary tract infection or an overactive bladder. Prompt treatment can help your child become accident-free.
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- Toilet training: When is the right time to start toilet training? American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.aap.org/publiced/BR_ToiletTrain.htm. Accessed July 10, 2009.
- Urinary incontinence in children. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/uichildren/index.htm. Accessed July 10, 2009.
- Blum NJ, et al. Relationship between age at initiation of toilet training and duration of training: A prospective study. Pediatrics. 2003;111:810.
- Practice guide: Toilet training. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.aap.org/sections/scan/practicingsafety/Modules/ToiletTraining/ToiletTraining.pdf. Accessed July 10, 2009.
- Turner TL, et al. Toilet training. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 10, 2009.
- Shelov SP, et al. Caring For Your Baby and Young Child. 4th ed. New York, N.Y.: Bantam; 2004:321.
- Berkowitz CD. Berkowitz's Pediatrics: A Primary Care Approach. Washington, D.C.: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2008:183.
- Urinary tract infections. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp050.cfm. Accessed July 31, 2009.
- An ounce of prevention keeps the germs away. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ounceofprevention/docs/oop_brochure_eng.pdf. Accessed July 31, 2009.
