Potty training + car journeys

[mp2024]

Hi all,

We are thinking about potty training our 26m old. We have a five day break where we can stay home mainly and focus on this. However, day 6 is back to work and nursery.

The journey to and from nursery is at least 30 mins - and has hit 45-60m if accident/traffic.
There isn’t always somewhere to pull up in the case of an emergency pee / very short for time in the mornings!

I’m just wondering how long toddlers can hold their pee in at the early stages of potty training / any advice from those who have had similiar situations?

We are regularly in the car a lot as both families are about an hour away. Suddenly dawned on me that potty training could make this trips slightly more difficult! Can they hold their pee for 1-1.5h (ofc ensuring peeing before leaving, not too much fluid prior to getting in the car etc)

Thank you!

Yes, they absolutely can hold that long - normally you'd want them to be dry for at least two hours in a nappy before starting training. By day six you should be fine with a going out wee and a wee on arrival at nursery. I got some disposable incontinence pads for beds and cut them in half to put in the bottom of the car seat just in case. Get a carrypotty though and allow time in the morning even if you need to get up earlier. They might not be able to give you loads of notice if they need a poo and that's one you can't just do before you leave the house.

I potty trained all my kids fully by 2. By 1.5 they’re able to last 30mins provided you remind them to go for a wee just before you go. But do use a waterproof carseat liner & bring changes of clothes / pants just in case.

Thank you both! This is really helpful and encouraging, will definitely give it a go