Most children achieve nighttime dryness between the ages of 4 and 5, but some may take longer. It’s crucial for parents to be patient and avoid pressuring their child, as stress can impede progress. Creating a bedtime routine that includes a final bathroom trip, limiting fluid intake before bedtime, and using a Brolly Sheet, cotton topped, waterproof bed pad can contribute to success in night toilet training.
Factors Influencing Timing
Several factors influence the optimal timing for both day and night toilet training:
- Readiness Signs: Look for signs of readiness, such as increased awareness of bodily functions, language development related to toilet use, and an interest in imitating others.
- Physiological Development: A child’s ability to control their bladder and stay dry at night is influenced by physiological development, which varies from child to child.
- Family Schedule: Choosing a time when the family schedule allows for consistency and attention to the toilet training process is essential.
- Positive Reinforcement: Establishing a positive and supportive environment with praise and rewards encourages a child to embrace toilet training with enthusiasm.
- Patience and Flexibility: Recognising that each child progresses at their own pace and being patient throughout the toilet training journey is crucial.
Conclusion
The best time to initiate day and night toilet training is when a child shows signs of readiness, and the family schedule allows for consistency. Spring and summer are generally the most popular times to start, but if your child is ready in the middle of winter, go for it!
For Mum of two Diane Hurford, nighttime toilet training became a hassle. Completely stripping a wet bed at 2 am became a long-winded affair, especially the bottom bunk where every night she would hit her head. She designed a Brolly Sheet, started making for friends and family and went on to sell them at local markets. That was in 2006 and since then, she has designed many products to make day and night potty training that little bit easier on parents. She has big solutions for wee problems!
