What to Do When Potty Training Starts Off Great… and Then Stalls
You were cruising along—your toddler was sitting on the potty, having success, and maybe even feeling proud. Then suddenly… nothing. Accidents start happening again, the potty gets ignored, and you're left wondering, what happened?
First things first: you’re not doing anything wrong, and neither is your child. Potty training progress isn’t always linear, and it’s totally normal for things to stall or even backtrack a bit. The good news? With a few small shifts, you can get things moving forward again.
🚧 Why Potty Training Sometimes Stalls
There are a few common reasons toddlers hit the brakes:
They’re overwhelmed. Learning a new skill—especially one tied to body awareness and independence—is a big deal. Sometimes they just need a breather.
A life change happened. Travel, starting daycare, a new sibling, or even a change in routine can cause a little backslide.
They’re sensing pressure. Even unintentional pressure (like lots of reminders or big reactions to accidents) can make a toddler dig in their heels.
They’re testing independence. “No!” is a powerful word for a toddler. Sometimes refusing the potty is just part of figuring out their autonomy.
💡 How to Gently Get Back on Track
1. Reconnect before you redirect.
If your toddler is suddenly resistant to the potty, take a step back. Spend some time doing something fun and connected that has nothing to do with potty training. Once they feel safe and supported, they’ll be more open to trying again.
2. Go back to basics.
Revisit the parts of potty training that worked early on. Were you using play, storytime on the potty, or a reward chart? Did they respond well to picking out undies or flushing together? Sometimes a little “reset” helps.
3. Keep your language neutral and encouraging.
Instead of “Why didn’t you go on the potty?” try “Accidents happen—next time you’ll get there!” Praise effort over outcomes: “You noticed your body had to go—that’s awesome!”
4. Give them a little space.
Some toddlers need a short break from direct potty training. That doesn’t mean you’re giving up—it means you’re giving them a chance to come back to it with confidence.
5. Check for physical stuff.
If things are feeling really off, make sure there’s nothing medical going on (like constipation), especially if your toddler seems uncomfortable or suddenly fearful of pooping.
🧡 Progress Isn’t Always Perfect
Potty training is a big milestone for your child—and for you. A stall doesn’t mean failure. It means your toddler is learning, growing, and finding their way through something new. With support, patience, and a little flexibility, they’ll get back on track.