Master Nighttime Potty Training: Essential Tips to Make It Easier for You and Your Child

After my child successfully navigated daytime potty training, my husband and I couldn’t help but share a sense of collective pride and accomplishment. It felt like we had crossed a significant milestone together as a family, yet we knew that the journey wasn’t quite over. We decided to hold off on tackling nighttime potty training until the moment felt right. Experts generally agree that while many kids are ready to bid farewell to daytime diapers between the ages of 2 and 4, nighttime control is a different ballgame. It’s not unusual for children to continue having accidents at night for years longer. As referenced by the American Academy of Pediatrics, around 20 percent of 5-year-olds and 10 percent of 7-year-olds still experience bedwetting. That can be a heavy statistic for many parents, but understanding that you’re not alone is the first comforting step.

I have to admit that as well-prepared as I felt for the daytime potty training phase, when it came to nighttime, I was like a deer caught in headlights. With a son who is an exceptionally deep sleeper, I braced myself for the possibility that it might take longer for him to transition away from nighttime training pants. He’s prone to sleep through accidents, making me wonder if waking him up to go would be an uphill battle. Because of this, I stepped into this new stage with both minimal expectations and a nugget of wisdom I feel compelled to share widely: manage your expectations at this stage; they really can make all the difference in your approach and results.

Starting with training pants felt like a no-brainer. Immediately upon beginning daytime training, we made the full switch to nighttime training pants. The idea was to create a clear distinction from diapers—which served as a mind shift for both us and our son. While he has experimented with different brands of training underwear, we’ve found that Easy Ups stand out as his favorite. They’re soft, stretchy, and easy for him to pull up and down during those sleepy trips to the bathroom. Plus, they’re more budget-friendly than many alternatives. Given the fact that kids can wear training pants for over a year, this was an economic win for our family.

Once you feel your child is ready, you might consider introducing what we like to call “The Dream Pee.” Just before you settle in for the night (ideally a couple of hours after your child has gone to bed), gently wake them up and take them to the toilet for one last trip. This technique is especially beneficial for those deep sleepers. They’re likely to drift back off to sleep without having to go through the entire bedtime routine again. Having used dream feeding tactics during my son’s infancy to encourage him to sleep longer, I just knew he’d be a perfect candidate for this approach.

To my surprise, our first night didn’t require the sleepless, chaotic experience I had braced myself for. Instead, my husband and I awoke stunned to find that our son had made it through the night without a single incident. Who would have thought that we’d get those first few blissful nights of sleep that reminded us of the early days with a newborn?

That said, we’re still on this nighttime potty training journey. Sure, we have faced our share of accidents, and yes, I can confirm we’ve certainly been jolted from our sleep some nights. That’s completely normal—this process takes time, and there’s no shame in it. On unpredictable evenings, my son chooses to stick with training pants, and you know what? I’m perfectly okay with it. This whole journey is more of a marathon than a sprint. I have no interest in speeding through this chapter of his development when I know there are plenty of opportunities to make things simpler—like taking that extra bathroom trip before we all settle in for the night.

Every child is unique, and from one parent to another, I want you to rest assured that you’re in the thick of it just like I am. Welcome to the rewarding yet unpredictable realm of nighttime potty training; together, we’ll navigate these waters and lean on one another for advice and support.