Night-Time Potty Training Your Child With Down Syndrome

I have posting quite a bit about potty training since this is where we are at with Nichole right now. She is getting it, and I know that eventually she will be potty trained. It might take us a couple months, or a couple of years, and that is okay.

I do know that day time potty training will be easier than night time potty training. I also know of a few parents of older children with Down syndrome that have mastered the day time but not the night time.

Since I am no expert, and it would be silly for me to give advice in an area we have not yet experienced, I will do something better. Go read my friend Leah's blog on night-time potty training and a great little tool that has helped both her children with Down syndrome.

Potty Training...Mommy

Nichole is doing really well with potty training. No, really, she is. I think the one that is having a hard time with this is...me! I think she is more ready than I am to work hard at this, so I need to deal with the fact that we are going to be cleaning up accidents here for a while.

Nichole had been telling us when she had to go potty right before we began this process. This is why we knew she was ready to begin. I don't know if she was telling us as she felt it come, before, or right after. We simply just changed her diaper. Number 2 was different (because it takes her a long time to get it out, one advantage of low muscle tone I suppose) so I was getting her to go in the toilet if I got to her in time.

We began this process, I just sat her on the potty when I changed her diaper. Almost every time she would go, so we knew she knew that when you sit on the potty, you tinkle. However, her diaper was still wet between changes.

Sometimes, if she wets her diaper, she has figured out how to take it off. She will throw it away on her own and then let's me know "potty." So I think she is definitely feeling the wet diaper and not liking it. This led me to believe the "Cool alert" diapers would be a good idea. You know, those diapers that are supposed to get really cold when you go potty to increase the sensation. They worked with Ellie for a couple of weeks.

We tried it today...and it did not even face her! So we can scratch that idea!

I then let her go without a diaper, which has never worked in the past. She came to me and said "potty" I asked her if she wanted to go to Melmo, and she ran straight to Melmo. I then noticed that her night shirt was wet. I thought she had just told me that she had gone potty already. What is my surprise but to see that Melmo had some potty in it! Nichole had to go potty, she sat on Melmo, and she just did not know how to pull her pajamas up. Now isn't that exciting!

I though to myself, "She is getting this, and the no diaper idea is working!"

Well, you get some, and you miss some I suppose. There was a nice wet spot in the middle of the room later on, and she did not even acknowledge the fact that she had an accident. Oh well. We are still going to do this!

And this mommy is ready to potty train a little rascal!

Nichole Likes Her Potty!

Well it has only been a few days since we have been "Potty Training." And Nichole is doing well. Better than I expected.

We are not being aggressive with this, we are taking it slow, and so far so good. These last few days, all we have done is get Nichole to sit on the potty when we change her diaper. And guess what? She has gone potty almost every time! She sits there, and she pushes. She rally does know what she is supposed to do.

Her diapers are still wet when we are changing them. But the fact that she is going on the potty tells us that she does know how to empty her bladder when she is sitting on the potty. Or that she can consciously empty it. However, she is also going when she feels the need to go, and therefore is not necessarily "holding" it.

This week we will continue to do this, and after that, we will begin to go on a schedule. Oh the joys of potty training!

When You Begin Potty Training Your Child With Down Syndrome

Potty training a child with Down syndrome is a lot like potty training a typical child. You implement many of the same methods, and sometimes you have to do "trial and error" until you find what clicks with your child. Just remember, your child might take  a little bit longer to get it.

Once you have determined weather your child is ready to be potty trained, there are a few helpful things you can do as you begin the process. (If you are not sure weather your child is ready or not, you might want to check out the "Readiness Steps")

Remember, this is all taken from the NDSS PowerPoint presentation. If you are interested in having it, send me an e-mail and I will forward it to you.

Decide what your "potty words" will be and stick with those. If your child is not able to verbalize the words, make sure you learn the sign for those words.

Select a potty chair with your child. Although it would be nicer and easier to use the big potty, a small potty chair might be a good place to start.

Have your child sit on the potty seat after removing diapers. Allow them (or encourage them) to sit on it 2-5 minutes.

Lead your child to the potty chair at regular intervals during the day.



For 2 weeks you might want to consider "tracking" your child's diaper every 30 minutes to an hour. Basically, every half and hour to an hour check their diaper and make notes. Is it wet? Is it dirty? Is it dry? How long did he/she go with a dry diaper? Are there consistent times where your child is having a BM?

Have a tangible reward for your child if they successfully go potty in the potty chair.  Always use lots of praise for trying. You want this to be a good experience.

Avoid forcing to use the potty. If your child is fighting it every time, you might want to wait for 1-3 months and try again.

Do not use punishment when your child has an accident, or when they refuse to use the potty. A "negative" potty related experience may result in a more frustrating  situation.

On a personal note...

Before you begin, consider what your goal is, and what your definition of "potty trained" will be. For example, Nina (our daughter with Cerebral palsy) is almost at the point where we will consider her being potty trained. It means that when she has to go she lets us know. She can crawl to the bathroom, and maybe climb up on the stool, but that is as far as she can do. The rest of the process is fully dependent on our help. If we are not home, then we have to wheel carry her to the toilet.

With Nichole, we are hoping for the same. We want her to tell us when she has to go so we can take her. She cannot dress or undress herself quite yet, and I have no problem doing that. if she is telling me she has to go, and has bladder and bowel control, I will consider that potty trained.

Wish you all good luck as you embark in this great fun mothering adventure of potty training. Oh the extra clothes you will wash, the nice little puddles you will wipe along the way. But remember, if your child gets and M&M for successfully going, you can have a handful!

Potty Training a Child with Down Syndrome

Just like everything takes  a little bit longer for kids with Down syndrome, toilet training is no exception. Some things I have not minded taking a little bit longer, but when it comes to using the potty...I really do wish Nichole would decide she wants to be just like her big sisters and be done with diapers!

It is suggested to begin potty training children with Down syndrome at age 3. Why wait until then? Well, there are a couple of reasons.

First, kids with Down syndrome have hypotonia (low muscle tone) and bladder control means using muscles that are going to be weaker and will need some training.

Second, potty training is dependent on the child's individual self awareness as they develop and mature. Typical children tend to do this quicker, while kids with Down syndrome might take a little bit longer (again, it all depends on the individual child). While Ellie was fully potty trained by age 3, Nichole is just now getting to the point where we can begin the process, she is just getting to the point where she understands. (I do not agree with the IQ talk as it is extremely difficult to determine any child's IQ, you know your child, you know when they are ready)

A while back we got the Potty Stool. It has been a great tool for Nina (who has Cerebral Palsy) in feeling "safe" in the toilet and Nina is almost completely potty trained. Nichole seemed interested. However, one day she attempted to sit on the toilet without the toilet insert and fell in the toilet (yeah, gross, but it has happened to your kids too!) And Nichole now is scared she will fall in. Or all she wants to do is wipe and no more business.

The NDSS has a PowerPoint presentation that has a wealth of information on how to toilet train your children with Down syndrome. You want it? Shoot me an e-mail and I can send that to you. (I highly prefer their presentation and information over the previous link on this post)

Their basic recommendations are to begin at age 3, determine patterns for 2 weeks, and dedicate time to focus!

Is your child with Down syndrome ready? Here is a checklist (from NDSS)

Ability to walk to toilet by him/herself

Sense of sitting on toilet with good balance
Understanding and following 1-2 step instructions
Telling when the child needs to use the potty
Positive relationship with parents/ caregivers
Desire for child to be independent

So now, once you know if your child is ready, you can embark on the great toilet training adventure! Nichole is ready, and so am I! Now on to work on the next steps and I will follow up with more information on potty training in the next few days.