Just a few weeks ago, you were celebrating - no more diapers! Your toddler had the hang of using the potty and you both felt so proud.
But lately, you’ve noticed more wet clothes in the laundry again. Your child is refusing to go, and accidents are happening at home and sometimes even in the car.
It’s easy to feel confused and frustrated when this happens. You’re not alone, and this is a bump many parents hit along the way.
Why This Happens
Cleveland Clinic pediatrician Dr. Noah Schwartz explains potty training regressions happen often. Stress is the most common trigger. Things that seem small to adults feel huge to children.
New siblings. Starting preschool. Moving homes. Changing classrooms. Even positive changes create anxiety for toddlers. Their attention and energy shift to coping with new fears. Staying dry becomes secondary.
Physical causes exist too. Urinary tract infections and constipation both cause frequent accidents. Constipation puts pressure on the bladder. This makes children need to pee urgently and often.
What Works Right Now
Stay calm. Your reaction matters more than the accidents themselves. When you show anxiety or frustration, your child absorbs those feelings. This makes the regression worse.
Look for patterns. Are accidents happening at specific times? Only at school? After playing intensely? Note when and where they occur.
Talk with your child without judgment. Get down to their level. Ask if something feels scary or different. Use gentle, neutral language.
Rule out medical issues. If your child shows pain while peeing, complaints of belly aches, or poops less than twice per week, call your pediatrician.
Bring back what worked before. If sticker charts helped during initial training, restart them. Make potty time exciting again. Offer reminders without pressure.
Prevention Strategy
Address stressors when possible. If your child fears the bathroom at preschool, visit it together. Show them how it works. Point out similarities to bathrooms they know.
Keep expectations reasonable. Some children appear potty trained but need more development time. Going back to training pants temporarily removes pressure while skills solidify.
Praise successes without dwelling on failures. When your child makes it to the potty, celebrate. When accidents happen, acknowledge them briefly and move forward.
Give transition warnings for bathroom breaks during play. Say "In five minutes, we take a potty break" before interrupting activities. This reduces resistance.
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Calm Toddler Hacks provided by Chilkibo Publishing, helping families find their calm with trusted strategies.