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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is 5 yrs too old to still be wearing daytime nappies?

68 replies

silentcatastrophe · 27/04/2011 14:15

I know of this happening. I know bedwetting is pretty common, but I thought that 5 was quite old to still be wearing a daytime nappy?

OP posts:
zisforzebra · 27/04/2011 14:16

There might be a health issue that you're not aware of.

cestlavielife · 27/04/2011 14:16

depends - the child may have a disability or other medical reason.

valiumredhead · 27/04/2011 14:17

More info needed before any judgement from me! Grin

whatsallthehullaballoo · 27/04/2011 14:17

Need more information before making a judgement. It wouldn't be too old for a child with special needs, phobias etc.

Nancy66 · 27/04/2011 14:18

for a child with no health issues - yes, too old

Bloodymary · 27/04/2011 14:21

Way too old (unless health issues obv.)

AnnieLobeseder · 27/04/2011 14:23

If there is no medical reason, yes. Not that unusual for night nappies at that ago, but yes for day nappies. I would have thought it quite tricky to get hold of ones big enough.

Original poster
silentcatastrophe · 27/04/2011 14:24

No disability or medical reason given. I am not making a judgement. I am just wondering how common this is. Could it be psychological?

OP posts:
coppertop · 27/04/2011 14:24

There could be any number of reasons for it.

I'd be more surprised that they could find nappies to fit a typical 5yr-old. IME the ones for toddlers tend to be too small and prone to leaking.

If they're the ones designed for older children then presumably the child needs them, as they're not easy to get.

coppertop · 27/04/2011 14:26

They might not want to tell you about medical issues. I certainly didn't discuss my children's health issues with others - except on MN of course. Wink

hanaka88 · 27/04/2011 14:29

They are easy to get, they are just expensive, you can buy them in tesco. My DS is almost 5 ASD regressive behaviours and loads of complex needs, he wears nappies in the day if we are somewhere that people woul be appauled with wee going all over the floor but IMO i feel guilty for putting him in them as he is too old.

cory · 27/04/2011 14:31

Medical issues may not have been diagnosed. Dd had all sorts of problems in that area, later put down to connective tissue disorder.

Original poster
silentcatastrophe · 27/04/2011 14:33

I think they are called Tena Pants, smallConfused There are other issues, but this is not an appropriate forum.

OP posts:
GooseyLoosey · 27/04/2011 14:33

Generally, in a healthy child, yes as I would imagine it will cause all sorts of problems at school.

coppertop · 27/04/2011 14:34

Good to know that they're easier to get now. :)

No need to feel guilty, Hanaka. To me it's more about being developmentally ready rather than the age of the child.

CadleCrap · 27/04/2011 14:35

To all the posters who are saying that large nappies are hard to get hold of -

huggies do a size 6 which goes up to 30kg which is the weight of an average 9 year old boy. My local tesco sells them.

Original poster
silentcatastrophe · 27/04/2011 14:50

I imagine it does cause all sorts of problems at school, poor little girl.

OP posts:
Nixea · 27/04/2011 15:40

Why do I sense we're not really getting all the information here....

Is this someone you know well? If not then maybe they might not feel comfortable discussing their child's medical conditions with you. As others have said, there could be any number of issues (mental and physical) that could account for still being in nappies.

Sorry, I'm a little defensive as my 4 year old is still in nappies full-time due to various issues arising from infections she had as a newborn. Nothing visible and fine in every other aspect but I've lost count of the number of judgy comments we've had over the last few years.

GrimmaTheNome · 27/04/2011 15:47

There could be all sorts of reasons. Its not uncommon at this age to have poo problems (constipation, withholding -> leakage) .... there were times in reception when I wondered if DD (healthy, no developmental issues) would be better with a pullup than getting disgusting stinky pants which sometimes leaked through to her skirt.

speakercorner · 27/04/2011 15:51

A girl at my dd's school had nappies - she had SN and had the emotional age of a 2 year old when she was 5.

LaWeasel · 27/04/2011 16:06

I can't imagine a 5yo old in nappies (ie not knowing when they need the toilet on a very regular basis to the extent that nappies are needed) with no health problems, even if they are currently undiagnosed.

LIZS · 27/04/2011 16:09

I sense an underlying issue.

Original poster
silentcatastrophe · 27/04/2011 17:32

I am getting the feeling that unless there are particular circumstances that it is quite unusual. The poor child has rotten teeth from being bottle fed for too long. I think the mother may be using nappies because they're 'easy'.. As I mentioned, I'm on the wrong thread.

OP posts:
YoureaKITTY · 27/04/2011 17:35

There's nothing 'easy' about nappies... They're expensive and much more hassle than putting on a pair of knickers in the morning. Support, don't judge.

aliceliddell · 27/04/2011 17:38

My dd and nephew both had nappies put on to poo until age 4.5 (maybe genetic?) Nothing wrong with them medically, dd anxious, nephew v. easy-going. They both spontaneously used toilet when they (finally) got round to it.