Ds has regressed need help

[Shaz2011]

My ds is 2.5 & was potty trained from the age of 18 months after months of trying we mastered it (poo before wee) after 2 months he became dry at night as well but now diaster has struck in the last week we have had wet beds everyday & the last few days wet during the day please help I need to know what to do I can't understand how comes this has happened

[girlywhirly]

Immediate things that spring to mind are having a growing spurt so sleeping more deeply, toddler wilfulness during the day, emotional upset due to starting new playgroup or childminder, moving house, new sibling, death in the family, separation/divorce etc.

The other thing could be constipation, which can cause wetting as the overloaded bowel confuses the signals to the bladder and can put pressure on it causing lack of control. There is always the possibility of a urine infection which should be investigated as it can cause urgency and loss of control.

You don't mention whether it is only wet accidents or if there is any change in his poo habits or behaviour.

[Shaz2011]

His poo habits are fine they haven't changed at all but he seems to be leaving his wee till the last minute or not saying at all

[girlywhirly]

I think then that he has become bored with the whole thing and there are more interesting things than going to the loo. You may need to start a rewards scheme as an incentive. Also rather than leave him to ask you, take him if you notice him jiggling or obviously needing a wee. It's a good idea to get him to go before settling down to a long DVD or similar activity when accidents are most likely as he won't want to stop watching.

[Shaz2011]

Ok thanks I will give anything ago as he was doing really well

[NellyTheElephant]

My DD2 potty trained easily at 22 months and was very reliable. When she was about 2.5 (i.e. over 6 months after being potty trained) she had a complete regression on poos although remained fine for wees. My situation slightly different as I had had another baby in the mean time and I think that the regression was related to that. In my case (what with new baby and little patience etc) after about 2 weeks of poo in pants I put her back in nappies (pull ups so she could still do her wees on loo easily) as I had had enough of the stress. It felt like an enormous step back and admission of defeat. After 2 days back in nappies she was begging to wear pants again so we went back to square one completely with training. Firstly I bought a large chocolate bar and put it on a high shelf above the loo where she could see but not touch it (I know... maybe not hygenic.....) and told her as soon as a poo went in the loo again she could have it have choc and ditch pull ups. I said nothing more about it and didn't mention it again or pressure her, but sure enough she soon managed a poo in the loo. Then we went back to sticker charts and chocolate buttons, i.e. initially a choc & sticker every poo, then two stickers in a row = choc, then 3 stickers = choc etc. In no time regression was over.

So in summary, for me first step was to remove stress and pressure by return to nappies (which you may not want to do - but maybe washable training pants to help contain accidents?), second step was a big bribe, but letting her choose to take it, last step was to go back to basic potty training tecniques.

[bessie26]

DD1 (3) has done exactly the same. After 6m of being potty trained (we left it late because of DD2s arrival) she is going less & less frequently & having more & more accidents. Most of them are when she is out playing in the garden at pre-school so I am pretty sure it's as girly says & she is just bored of it & doesn't want to waste valuable playing time going for a wee!

Stickers worked really well when we first introduced the potty, so I'm going to try a reward chart - but do I reward sitting on the potty or actual wees on the potty?

[Shaz2011]

Thanks everyone I think I might do a reward chart & see how we get on

[bessie26]

DD1 loved her reward chart today - I did just a pic of Peppa Pig with some boxes underneath to put the star stickers in. I even managed to persuade her to "try" a couple of times when she said she didn't need a wee with the promise of extra special dinosaur stickers! Fx the enthusiasm continues!

[Shaz2011]

I am going to do one with Thomas as it's his fav anyone know where I can get Thomas stickers

[bessie26]

no idea I'm afraid. could you just print out a pic of Thomas and use any other stickers you have to hand?

[Shaz2011]

Yeah I think I might have to

[Shaz2011]

I don't think I am going to need a chart as ds has been using the potty or toilet for the last few days I hope it was just a little set back