What to Do About Potty Accidents

Two steps forward, one step back -- that's the potty training rhythm for many children. It's a tough skill to master and "hiccups" in the process are inevitable. Though accidents are frustrating for all involved, it̵7;s your visible reaction that will influence how your child feels about his slip-up. Handling the situation correctly gives your little one the confidence and knowledge he needs to stay dry once and for all.

  1. Hide Your Frustration

    • When he's had his third accident of the day or woken you before dawn to tell you about his soaked bet sheets, it's natural to feel irritated. However, showing that you're peeved will only make your child feel ashamed and afraid to have accidents in the future. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that his failure to use the toilet was truly an accident. According to website Healthy Children, young children struggle to prioritize and focus and he might simply be unable to pay attention to his body's signals. Never punish a child for a potty accident, advises website Kids Health. Instead, be supportive and calm. Say something like, "That's okay. Accidents happen. Let's get you cleaned up."

    Clean Him Up

    • Keep your child's discomfort to a minimum by cleaning him up before dealing with any puddles. Strip off any soiled clothing, wipe him down and help him change into a clean outfit. Rinse his dirty clothing, apply stain remover if necessary and toss the clothes into the laundry. Involve your child with the clean up after an accident, suggests the University of Pittsburgh Ofɦ41;ce of Child Development. Ask him to hold a trash bag open while you clean up with paper towels or let him pull up the corners of a fitted sheet after a nighttime accident, but don't allow him to touch any soiled areas. This is a helpful tip: While he's still in the process of toilet training, carry a bag with wipes and clean clothes in your car for accidents that happen in less-than-convenient places.

    Talk it Out

    • The minutes after an accident are the perfect time to give your child a potty refresher, when the discomfort of a wet bottom is still clear in his mind. Say something like, "As soon as your body feels like it needs to pee or poop, tell me or go straight to the bathroom, even if you're doing something fun. Your toys will be waiting when you get back." You may also use an accident to reassess your role in his training. Explain that, for now, you'll give him reminders about using the potty. Ask him every hour if he needs to go and send him to the bathroom about 15 minutes after every meal and snack. If he protests, explain that you're helping him to avoid having any accidents and remind him how yucky it feels to have wet or dirty underwear.

    Assess His Progress

    • Keeping in mind that accidents are typical for potty-training tots, consider whether your child is progressing as he should in this area. If he has accidents every day or nearly every day during the first few weeks of potty training, he simply might not be ready. Take a month-long break, suggests Boston Children's Hospital, before beginning the process again. It's also common for children to have accidents during times of stress, even if they've been accident-free for months. If you've recently moved or brought home a new baby or your child has experienced some other shift in his normal routine, expect the occasional accident until things settle down. If your child is more than 3-years old and is not making progress with potty training or if he was once trained and has begun having accidents for no obvious reason, call his pediatrician.

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