3.5 year old suddenly having accidents

[suddenlycupishalffull]

Has recently (last few weeks) started refusing to pee when she clearly needs to, leaving it until till the last minute, meaning lots of jigging about & damp knickers. But this week she's started having accidents at pre-school, 3 times yday & once today. She seems to be going to the loo more often, though she says she's not sore. She's just wet herself sat on my lap (again like when she's leaving it at the last minute, so not a huge amount but enough to make my trousers quite damp). I'm worried something's wrong, it's so unlike her, potty training went really smoothly. When I told her that we needed to change her knickers cos they were damp she was furious, had a huge tantrum saying she didn't like to change her knickers. I'll take her to the Docs tomorrow to check for an infection. Her sister has just started walking - could it be jealousy? I'm worried she's not upset about something :(

[suddenlycupishalffull]

Sorry worried that she is upset about something...

[milkjetmum]

Is she constipated? My dd has wee accidents when she is overdue a big poo, sorry if tmi!

[suddenlycupishalffull]

No I'm pretty sure she's ok in that department, but thank you for suggesting it, I never would have thought of that.

[suddenlycupishalffull]

Ones anyone else have any experience of this? I'm really concerned there's something wrong. She's now having accidents at home - it's most odd, she'll still go to the loo without prompting, but 3 times today at home I realised her knickers and leggings were damp. When I ask her about it or try to change her knickers she gets furious, it's clearly upsetting her, saying I've already changed them & they don't need changing. What's worrying me is she's having these accidents and is seemingly oblivious until I point it out. Because she's in wet knickers she's starting to get a rash so I can't leave her in them but she's so upset when I try to take them off. I'm making light of it, I'm saying I have accidents too & it's no big deal but I am so worried, I just can't see a reason as to why this would suddenly be happening?

[NorthernLAS]

We've had the same thing. I mentioned it to the health visitor, who said it's very common to have regression at 3 1/2. She advised lots of praise/rewards, which we did and is working really well.

[suddenlycupishalffull]

Perhaps I should speak to my HV, such a relief to hear a regression is common. How are you handling the accidents? I'm unsure what to do as she's so upset when I change her knickers, as she's ignoring it I wonder if I should, but then perhaps not acknowledging it makes it worse?

[NorthernLAS]

He doesn't really get upset about changing, so I'm not sure what to suggest. We did get cross with him to start and made him change himself, but it seems to be more successful to not draw attention to it and change him quickly with minimal fuss. I don't think that helps you much, sorry. I'd definitely recommend speaking to your hv though. We have a rewards chart, so he gets a sweet when he's been to the toilet successfully ten times. Good luck with it all!