Oh Crap! Potty Training

How do you plan for a reduction in fluids before bed? Think of the
day in terms of two upside-down pyramids. One pyramid spans the
time from waking to nap, the other spans the time from nap waking
to sleep. The width of the pyramid represents the amount of fluid
your child should be drinking; go heavy on fluids upon awakening,
and then taper to almost nothing about an hour before nap and at
least two hours before bedtime. If your child is used to having a big
glass of something with dinner, this habit needs to change. Making
the change can be tricky for a day or so, but your child will get used
to it. You’ll then need to withhold fluids from dinner on.
Withholding fluids before sleep will naturally make your child
thirstier in the morning, which works perfectly with the fluid
pyramid. Most kids have drinking patterns that resemble right-side-
up pyramids. The child is used to a decent-sized drink before bed. If
your kid falls into this category, start the fluid-tapering song and
dance before you actually intend to begin night training. After all,
you know toddlers and change—not good.
If you are still nursing intermittently throughout the night, night
training could be a little trickier. Generally speaking, however, most
kids at this age are nursing for comfort rather than volume, so they
may not be taking in much fluid. Also, you could have your child pee
before or after nursing. Pick whichever option best fits your child.
Some kids like to pee before nursing, most prefer it afterward. Either
is fine, but the trick is consistency.
If you are cosleeping, the good news is that night training is much
easier. Your child has no travel time, and usually gets restless right
before needing to pee, which will help alert you to the situation. It’s
also a lot easier on you if all you need to do is roll over as opposed to