Setbacks are a normal part of potty learning process and are usually temporary. It takes a child time to master their new skill and sometimes it’s easy to go back to what feels comfortable and familiar.

What is also important to understand is that potty training progress is not linear. More time does not necessarily equal less accidents.

A child may have no accidents for 3 months or even 6, 8 9 months into potty training and then they may go through a period of consistent accidents. 

It takes anywhere between 3-12 months for children to fully master the skill of listening to their bodies and using a potty. The first year after starting potty training will see periods of setbacks and accidents that happen in ebbs and flows. 

The good news is, this is temporary. With maintaining a consistent approach of prompting and routine, encouragement and reassurance from you this will normalize over time. 

Common causes of setbacks in potty training are often due to change, illness or stress. Change, even when it's positive, presents a challenge for children this age to comprehend. A new transition whether big or small can be overwhelming and anxiety inducing.

1. Be patient and give it time. A regression doesn't mean your child has forgotten how to use the potty. Continue with a consistent, routine approach of prompting, direction and reinforcement. 
2. Identify the problem - have a conversation with your child. Ask your child why they are making mistakes - is the toilet at preschool scary? Maybe your child is not being prompted right before sleep time at school. 
3. Maintain a consistent approach across all caretakers whether that be grandparents, daycare, preschool or a nanny. Be sure to share the Potty Training Tips for Caretakers PDF to assist.

• Sometimes kids just forget! This usually happens when they are in the middle of an activity and forget to go. Keep a record of when your child usually goes and prompt around these times.