Support thread for those with school-age children who are still wet at night?

[GreatGooglyMoogly]

DS1 (nearly 7) and DS2 (5) are both still wet at night near-enough every night. DS1 doesn't drink enough, especially at school where I can't remind him (and whilst the teacher knows this she doesn't really have the time to help at all). DS2 drinks plenty. I am tearing my hair out with the laundry (no drier), especially at this time of year when it isn't warm/ dry enough to use the washing line but we don't need the heating on all the time so things take ages to dry inside. I have a couple of waterproof sheet covers but they still have to be washed all the time and the duvet covers do as well. I have tried loads of different disposable pull-ups but all leak. Once DS1 is 7 I will go to the doctor about him. Aargh!!! Anyone else?

[Asinine]

Hi one of our ds is 10 and still needs pull ups. He wets about 1 in 4 nights so not too bad, and is improving. Advice from hv is to drink plenty which he does. Last time we had a school trip I asked the head who is very sensible and he said at least 1 or 2 in every class is the same, even at that age. I know one of my own family was like this, and several cousins. People don't like to talk about it when the kids are older in case other kids find out. I plan to take it up with the gp when I'm there anyway, but haven't been for a long time .Dd y1 also in pull ups but I know of plenty who are. Have you tried the bigger sizes of pull ups?
Hopefully someone with special needs kids with continence problems will come along with practical advice about protecting beds, sheets etc.

[lucybrad]

DT1 is like this and he will be 7 in May. His identical twin has been dry for about a year! I know neither of them drink enough in the day, infact I have just realised they havent had a drink before school either (my fault - feeding baby). I have ordered an alarm, and await seeing if this will work.

[newgirl]

Hi - I was going to post on this so good to see others in same position

My dd is 8 and occasionally still wets the bed when in a very deep sleep. She doesnt like to drink a lot.

She also leaks in the day sometimes.

Should I talk to a doctor or a health visitor about it? I spoke to a gp about it two years ago and he was very dismissive saying it was normal and she would grow out of it.

[migola]

sorry if this is a silly question but how does drinking more help? is it because their bladder is fuller so they feel the need to go more?

[Asinine]

It gradually increases bladder capacity, so they have more room for the urine produced during the night. Most people at night make less urine than during the day, but in bed wetters this is not the case. There are hormone nasal sprays which can mimic this reduction but I don't know if they are used any more.

[Asinine]

Lucybrad where is the alarm from ? Let us know how you get on

[GreatGooglyMoogly]

Glad to know I'm not alone.

Asinine, yes I have tried bigger pull-ups but they leak even more than the correct size as the leg holes are too big! DS1 in particular is a very skinny boy. I don't want to put them in nappies because I'm trying to encourage them to get up and go to the loo in the night if they need to.

newgirl, I think I would talk to your GP, especially about the leaking during the day

[Asinine]

Everybody there is another thread which seems to be useful over on parenting just now!

[GreatGooglyMoogly]

Yes, I spotted it and have bookmarked it. Annoyingly you always get a better response if you are well known around here.

[inthesticks]

DS dry now (but he's 15 ). However he was wet at night until about 6/7 and still had accidents during the day up to 9 or 10.
Even once they are dry there is often the odd relapse.
I'm posting because I used to have a handy waterproof thingy. It was rubber back and soft fabric front, about 3' x 4' and had wings to tuck it into the bed. It helped to save washing sheets to some extent.
When we travelled I bought a disposable version.
As far as school trips are concerned I don't think there were any residentials before year 6.
However they did have cub camp. DS had a friend who was still wet at aged 9 and I found the cub leaders to be very understanding and keen to find a way round the problem so the child did not miss out.

[crystalglasses]

I feel for you.
My dd2 was wet day and night until about 11 years but during all this time was treated for recurrent urine infections so was regularly on very strong antibiotics. Once she grew out of nappies we used small size women's incontinence knickers and got them free from the incontinence department of the local hospital (I didn't know it existed until I decided to phone round various clinics and local hhospitals because of not being able to find big enough nappies).I have to say I was at my wits end about it all at the time

[thelittlebluepills]

DS1(6 years) also still wet every night

please all go and see your GP and ask for a referral to the Enuresis nurse who specialise in this - you can be loaned the alarm mat for free and they will also give lots of other hints/helpful advice

DS's paediatrician is also considering a tablet which reduces urine production at night

[colditz]

Ds1 dried up at 7.3

Ds2 still wet at 4.11, and dirty most mornings too

RE the leaks - don't let them have a drink after 5 pm, except a sip of water before they settle. Don't tell them this, just remove the drinks and 'in a minute' them when they ask for one.

Then in the morning, LOAD them with as much as they will drink, and give them a drink when you pick them up from school, (Proper juice goes down well) and another when they get home.

[colditz]

Also, I know this is frowned upon but it did help ds1 - wake him up at about 10.30 and take him to the toilet. Even if he doesn't stay dry, there will be less urine to come out and leak.