As a team of lots of parents here at Coterie, we know that every baby is different. What works well for one family might not work at all for yours, and that is totally okay! This rings particularly true when it comes to potty training—some kids are fully potty trained in a matter of days (or so their parents claim), while others might take much longer. Many children can also remain dry during the day but still require a diaper or pull-up at night.

If you’re anxiety-ridden, first-time parents like many of us, you’ve probably read all the potty training books, gotten tons of advice (not all of it asked for, we’re sure), and are feeling a tad overwhelmed. So how do you know when it’s time to start nighttime potty training?

Like many milestones—from rolling over to standing to talking—so much of it depends on each individual child (generally, some readiness indicators include being able to use the potty during the day and the ability to stay dry a few nights in a row). But whether you’ve already successfully potty trained during the day, or are planning to tackle both daytime and nighttime training together, we have a few helpful tips and products that might make the process ever-so-slightly easier.

Limit fluid intake before bed. This seems pretty simple, but from our own experiences, it’s often harder to enforce than you initially think (you try denying a begging toddler who keeps saying they’re sooooo thirsty mommy!). But if they’ve hydrated well throughout the day, you can start limiting drinks about an hour before they go to sleep and rest assured that they will not, in fact, keel over from dehydration.

Encourage potty use. Make using the bathroom a normal part of their bedtime and morning routine. Think of it like brushing their teeth—get them used to doing it before bed and right after they wake up in the morning. You can also let them know they can head to the potty if they wake during the night (many of us use nightlights for our kids, either in their room or the hallway, so it’s easier for them to find their way to the bathroom when it’s dark) and that it’s okay to wake you up if needed, too.

Keep a little cleanup caddy handy. Since occasional accidents are inevitable, it’s a good idea to be prepared. That’s why we like to keep a cute basket or container close to the bed stocked with our soft wipes or water wipes, towels, an extra set of clothes and underwear, spare sheets and waterproof mattress protectors and anything else you may need for quick, middle-of-the-night clean-ups and changes.

Let go of expectations. We’ve found that keeping the vibes laid-back, reassuring, and positive goes a long way. If your child has an accident, remain supportive and calm. Kids pick up on all our emotions, so if you make it a big deal about something, they will too. Accept that the unexpected is bound to happen, as with most things in parenthood.

Hopefully, some of these tips were useful. If nothing else, know that you’re not alone and that we’ve all been there (some of us are still going through it!). Wherever you are in your potty training journey, remember that you know what’s best for your child. Accidents and regressions happen, and even if your child stays dry during the night for consecutive days or even weeks, it’s common for bedwetting to occur overnight. And as we always recommend, if something feels off, trust your instincts and consult with your pediatrician. Happy training!