Is your child dry at night? Some Helpful Training Tips

It will probably be a while after your child dries out during the day, before he dries out at night. To begin with, the night is a long period. Your child may not be able to stay dry that long. Children have to learn to wake up to the need, this takes time.

Also, is your child still in a crib or can he go to the bathroom only at night? How big and capable are they? Can you reach the light switch or do you have a night light? Some children do not dry off at night until they are five or six years old, by then, if they are not succeeding, talk to your doctor. Until then don’t worry. Make sure they drink a lot during the day, but I recommend reducing fluids to sips of water two hours before bed.

I also found it helpful to pick up a child around ten o’clock at night and take him to the bathroom; even though they barely woke up, they were able to pee and went straight back to sleep, a well done whisper is enough at that moment you don’t want to wake them up at all.

As they get older they may be embarrassed to be wet at night, obviously pull-ups are required or you’ll have a mountain of laundry. Don’t scold a child about dealing with accidents in a polite way. It can ruin the nose to show that it smells bad and is not pleasant as a stimulus to being dry, but be aware of your feelings, they are probably upset too.

Signs that your child may stay dry overnight will be a dry diaper in the morning, as well as the fact that they can last for long periods and fully recognize that they are dry during the day. Try getting them up at ten o’clock at night if you think they are ready, it really helps.

Plastic protectors are available for both mattress and pillows, and you don’t want the problem of smelly, wet mattresses that can soon be destroyed, when it’s easy to avoid.

Reminders and guidelines for stress-free potty training

• Make sure he drinks 6 or more water-based drinks. No carbonated drinks; it is definitely not tea or coffee. Tea and coffee are not suitable for children due to caffeine.

• Reduce the amount of drink two hours before bedtime, but encourage drinking much earlier.

• To make it easier, a child should wear clothes that are easy to remove and wash, especially in the first days of training.

• A short “sit” is enough or they will get bored and resist. Praise works wonders, especially when the potty is first introduced; also reading a story or playing with building bricks. Make it fun. An appropriate choice of two activities may be offered if potty training meets resistance.

• Young children should be encouraged to sit up at first and not stand up, as they may urinate or poop as they learn to interpret feelings or desires and are learning to control.

• Be consistent. If other adults are involved, all work to the same score, or the child will be confused.

• Praise every step of the way; make your child feel good about their efforts and accomplishments. He will love to please you and receive your compliments. Never criticize or demoralize.

• Be patient, you will have occasional accidents at first, be prepared and do not scold. If after some time you discover that it is too early and your child is not ready, allow more attempts for a few weeks before trying again. You’ve been looking for signs of readiness, keep looking.

• Make sure to use the urinal or toilet before going to bed along with brushing your teeth.

• It was helpful for me to wake up my children at ten o’clock at night; Although they are sleepy, they soon relieve themselves. Then immediately go back to sleep.

• Never punish a child, tease or embarrass him, he’s probably upset anyway.

I hope these tips are helpful if you are having difficulties.