Can Potty Training Affect Sleep?
You finally made the jump to dive into potty training! But… now you find yourself dealing with sleep issues. This was not part of your plan and has thrown you for a loop!!
Or, maybe you’re getting ready to start potty training and want to plan ahead for any potential sleep hiccups during the process!
Does potty training affect sleep?
When it comes to potty training, you may be so focused on planning out how you’re going to get your little one to tinkle on the toilet that you didn’t even think to consider that potty training can affect sleep. Or, maybe you’re full-fledged avoiding potty training because you don’t want your kiddo’s sleep to be affected. Potty training can affect sleep, yes. BUT, there are ways to navigate sleep hiccups during potty training.
First and foremost, even though your focus is going to be on potty training for a little bit, you do not want to neglect the importance of quality sleep. If your child is well-rested, they are more likely to be on-board with your potty training plans. Potty training is a big change for a little one, and we all know change can be hard for a child. You’re on track to setting your little one up for potty training success by helping your child get rest (along with some other things to set them up for success ) And, if you’re in the midst of potty training and your child is having sleep struggles, you CAN get them back on track!
How does potty training affect sleep at night?
Potty training may result in night wakings, early mornings, and naps - ahh!
Your child woke up because…
they have to go potty
they had an accident
they’re nervous about having an accident
My child is potty training but still in diapers/pulls-ups at nap/night. Why are they having sleep struggles?
If you are working on potty training during the day but sticking with diapers/pull-ups at night, it is possible your child may still have night wakings during the potty training process. Why?
Awareness of bodily sensations: Your child is learning to recognize when they have to go potty. Even though they’re in a diaper/pull-up, they’re now aware of the sensation, causing them to wake up.
Awareness of a dirty diaper: Your child is starting to recognize the difference between being dry or having a wet or soiled diaper. They may start to realize they prefer being dry! And, that feeling is waking them up.
Cognitive development: Sleep hiccups commonly occur when a child is gaining new skills. Potty training is definitely a big, new skill! Potty training also typically occurs around ages when a child is having many different cognitive developments, like communication skills. So, sleep hiccups could be related to the new potty skill, but may also coincidentally be related to other cognitive developments!
How to handle sleep disruptions when potty training
No matter your child’s age, night wakings can feel difficult to navigate. You are trying to sleep and suddenly you hear a little one calling for you. As much as we may want our child to need us at times, preferably not in the middle of the night On top of that, you’ve been spending LOTS of your time focused on potty training your child, you could probably use that night rest, too. And, now you’re faced with night wakings, early morning, short naps… EEK!
Tips to navigate sleep hiccups related to potty training:
Stick to your sleep routines and sleep schedules.
Avoid an overtired child. Keep an eye on your child’s “sweet spot” for sleep totals and daily wake time to help them get the rest they need. For example, if your child has a short nap, compensate with an early bedtime.
Include potty during the bedtime routine so your child has a final opportunity of the day to empty their bladder.
Limit fluids before bedtime. If you notice your child is having a lot of night wakings to use the bathroom, has very wet diapers/pull-ups overnight, etc. you can try limiting fluids to prevent the need to empty their bladder during the nighttime.
Consider going back to diapers/pull-ups if you’ve switched over to underwear at night, but your child is having lots of accidents resulting in night wakings. You can try diapers/pull-ups again until they are staying dry all night. This tip can be combined with limiting fluids above to help get to staying dry throughout the night.
Teach your child how they can use the bathroom at night, either by calling for help or going to the bathroom on their own. This may not decrease night wakings to use the bathroom, but can help avoid accidents which can take longer to clean up at night (cleaning up, changing clothes, changing sheets, etc.) versus a quick trip to the bathroom. Make sure your child has LOTS of practice during the day on how to use the bathroom if they wake up at night needing to go.
Consider a dream pee. But, proceed with caution! For some kids, this can result in more sleep struggles. For example, they may have a hard time going back to sleep if they’re woken up for a dream pee. However, for some kids it works wonders! The dream pee allows them to empty their bladder one more time and then sleep the rest of the night without any issues.
In general, it’s helpful to keep things low pressure around potty training! This will help kids that may have some nervousness around potty training, as well as those that don’t. This includes low pressure about nighttime accidents, to help prevent a child waking up because they are nervous to have an accident.
Fun fact: Some kids actually need a little extra sleep during potty training. They’re working hard to learn their new skill and they’re a little extra tired!
If you are in the midst of potty training and encountering some sleep struggles, it may feel like you have to pick a solution that will fix one over the other. But, it IS possible to work on both to have a well-rested and potty trained child! I offer a troubleshooting call and Potty Tune Up Support package that are perfect for tackling potty+sleep issues with some guidance!
