Night training for 4.5 yrs DS - where to start?

[MiscellaneousAssortment]

Ds 4.5 really wants to stop wearing night nappies. He finds them really uncomfortable and I think he feels he's too grown up now.

Trouble is he's not at all dry at night. In fact he frequently comes in soaking wet with over flowing nappy. At least once or twice a week, in fact. The rest of the time he sneaks into my bed at 6am and I wake up with the nasty whiff of a nappy been on too long, or wee all over me and my bed. Ugh, I can't bear it, and I'm pretty tolerant of that kind of thing.

So, how do I start making steps towards night training? Can I get him to start weeing less even though wearing night nappies? Or is that too hard for him as he won't have a sensory signal to remind him?

I don't think he's ready to go without, even with mattress protectors, considering how much he's weeing currently.

I know it's more of a physical thing, but I think it's a habit too, and if we can just cut down on the amount of wees it will be more pleasant for everyone, and give Ds a bit of encouragement too...

Any tips?

[Gileswithachainsaw]

As far as I'm aware night time dryness is the result of the production of a hormone. They either have it or they don't.

[MiscellaneousAssortment]

Oh also, I should say that I'm very ill and the physical toll of all the wetness is impacting on my recovery :(

[Gileswithachainsaw]

I am sorry to hear that. But I really don't think. that there's anything you can do here. You could cut drinks after say 5.30 but if he's waking up soaking then I very much doubt that glass of apple juice before bed is going to make much difference.

drs don't see it as a problem.at this age either.

It's down. to hormones and you can't control them

[MiscellaneousAssortment]

But he wees much more than he does in the day, which is why I think there's habit involved too.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

If it was just full of morning wee I'd agree but I very much doubt all that wee is down to habit.

lifting him at your bed time and changing him then and them ushering him straight into the bathroom the second he stirs in the morning may cut flown what's on the nappy but anything that happens while he is asleep can't be helped.

I'm still waiting g for my nearly 4 yr old to be dry at might too

[MiscellaneousAssortment]

Ds talked about it again and so I suggested we do a First Step towards it.

We decided that he's going to see if he can do a wee when he wakes up in the night on his way into my room... He's got a bit scared of the dark so I've put a potty by his bed with a lamp. And I said I'll help put his night nappy back on when he comes into my room.

Have no idea if he'll be ok doing it / remember/ not be too scared on his own but I've said it doesn't matter what happens at all, cos it a First Step...

[Gileswithachainsaw]

I hope it goes ok

[MiscellaneousAssortment]

Thank you :)

He's already asking if he does a wee tonight can he stop wearing nappies... Ahhh it's hard to explain it will take a while.

I just hope he doesn't get discouraged.

Oh, and if he comes into my room less stinky and sopping, it's all to the good!

[Gileswithachainsaw]

Please update how it goes.

have you got plenty of spare bedding just in case? maybe put the cover on the spare duvet now so you don't have to do it at three in the morning.

[MiscellaneousAssortment]

Well he woke up at midnight with a sore throat and a cough, and cried because he didnt stay in bed long enough to try new weeing routine

Poor sweetheart :(

After alot of calpol and cuddles he slept on me as he used to when he was a baby. Ahhh, bit heavy & sweaty now though!

I'll see if he wants to have another go tonight and suggest we can do it after Christmas too.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

aw poor thing. yes best to let him feel better first. and get Xmas over and done with so he's not upset all over Xmas.

not his fault bless him

[CecilyP]

Have you actually tried him without a nappy at night? DS's nappy was always sopping wet in the morning, so I was reluctant to try him without, but when I did, he didn't wet the bed. So think he must have always just done a massive wee first thing in the morning. However, I would wait till he is feeling better before trying.