Hit a Potty Training Puddle? How to Handle Regressions with Confidence

You did it. After weeks of patience, sticker charts, and tiny potties, your child was finally using the toilet. You’d triumphantly packed away the diapers. And then, suddenly, it’s accidents all over again.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. This is potty training regression, and it’s one of the most common and frustrating bumps in the road for parents.

First, take a deep breath. A regression is not a failure—not for you, and not for your child. It’s a temporary setback and a sign that your child is dealing with something new.

Why Do Potty Training Regressions Happen?

A child who was successfully trained doesn’t just “forget” how to use the potty. An increase in accidents is almost always a symptom of something else.

Here are the most common causes:

• Big Life Changes (The Big One): The arrival of a new sibling is the number one cause. Other major changes include moving to a new home, starting a new school or daycare, or a separation or change in the family structure. In their own way, they are trying to cope with a world that suddenly feels different.
• Stress or Emotional Upset: Even smaller-scale stress can be a trigger. Family tension, a new caregiver, or even just a disruption in their normal daily routine can be enough to throw them off balance.
• Physical Issues (Rule This Out First!):
  • Constipation: This is a huge and often-overlooked culprit. If it hurts to poop, a child will hold it in, which can lead to both bowel and bladder accidents.
  • Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): A UTI can cause a sudden, uncontrollable urge to pee and can be painful.
  • Action: If accidents are sudden, paired with pain, or you suspect either of these, call your pediatrician immediately.
• Just Being a Kid: Sometimes, the reason is less complex. They might be too busy playing and simply “forget” to go until it’s too late. The excitement of their game is more powerful than the signal from their body.
• Seeking Attention: If a child feels like they’re competing for attention (especially with a new baby), they learn quickly that an accident always gets a reaction. In this case, even negative attention feels better than no attention.

How to Get Back on Track

Handling a regression is less about re-training and more about support, patience, and playing detective.

1. Stay Calm (Your Reaction is Everything)

This is the most important rule. When an accident happens, avoid scolding, shaming, or showing big, frustrated reactions. Shame can make a child anxious about using the potty, which only makes the problem worse.

• What to say: “Uh oh, an accident. That’s okay. Your body will remember next time. Let’s go get clean clothes.”
• Your goal: Keep the event neutral and low-stress.

2. Play Detective

Look at the list of causes above. Has anything changed in your child’s life in the last few weeks?

• Is it a new baby?
• Is it constipation? (Are their poops hard?)
• Are they just too busy playing?

Knowing the “why” helps you find the right solution.

3. Go Back to Basics (Temporarily)

Don’t think of it as starting over from scratch. Think of it as a temporary refresher course.

• Increase Reminders: Go back to giving gentle, low-pressure prompts. Instead of “Do you have to go potty?” (which is easy to say “no” to), try a “First, then” statement. “It’s time to try the potty, and then we can go play outside.”
• Bring Back the Praise: Give enthusiastic praise for effort (just sitting on the potty) and for success. A simple sticker chart might be just the motivator they need to get back on track.
• Make it Easy: Make sure their little potty is accessible, or their stool is right by the big toilet.

4. Address the Root Cause

• If it’s a new baby: Carve out 10-15 minutes of dedicated “just you and me” time with your older child. Read a book or play a game without the baby. This “fills their cup” and reduces their need to seek attention in negative ways.
• If it’s a distraction, give them a 5-minute warning before a transition. “We’re leaving the park in 5 minutes. Let’s go use the potty before we go.”
• If it’s constipation/medical: Follow your pediatrician’s advice, which may include increasing water and fiber.

5. Involve Them in the (Neutral) Cleanup

This is not a punishment. This is a natural consequence. Please have your child help carry their wet clothes to the laundry or help wipe up the puddle with a paper towel. Saying, “It’s our job to clean up our own messes,” teaches responsibility without blame.

6. Don’t Go Back to Diapers (If You Can Help It)

Putting your child back in diapers or pull-ups full-time can feel like a confusing step backward for them. It sends the message that you don’t think they can do it. Instead, stick with underwear, but be prepared. Put waterproof pads on their car seat and under their sheets, and pack extra clothes.

This bump in the road is just that—a bump. With patience, consistency, and a calm, loving response, your child will get back on track.

Sources used

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-to-do-when-your-potty-trained-child-suddenly-isnt#:~:text=Kids%20can%20feel%20high%20amounts,Moving%20to%20a%20new%20house.

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/toilet-training/Pages/Regression.aspx#:~:text=An%20upcoming%20or%20recent%20move,Other%20medical%20problems

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-utis