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Sudden wetting in 3yr old daughter - help!

9 replies

CaitlinsMummy2005 · 11/05/2008 19:04

This is my first post - I hope someone can help as we're are at our wits end! :-(

Our daughter was 3 in February. We potty trained last November and she was perfect - no accidents at all. In February we stopped using nappies at night - again no accidents.

At nursery last week she didn't make it in from the garden in time and had a small accident. Since then she has done it outside half a dozen times - always outside and always a huge pee that soaks her clothes, shoes etc! She doesn't seem incredibly bothered.

The first time I reacted quite softly, but have got tougher each time. This evening she did it again - we threatened to put her back in nappies! I think this is probably the wriong way to respond but I really don't know the best way to handle this. She was so good when we first potty-trained this is all a huge shock.

She knows it's wrong and when we ask her why she isn't asking to go to the toilet, she simply says 'I don't know'....
She's also suffering from a few nightmares at the moment about a big scary monkey - I don't know if this is related.

She is normally a happy (if someone clingy) little girl and we are really struggling.

Please can anyone offer any advice?

Thanks so much!

xx

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
eddiejo · 11/05/2008 19:49

Hi, I would check a few things.
What was the reaction in nursery when she had the little accident?
Has she got an infection? (does her wee smell or is she going more frequently or really thirsty?)
Is she drinking enough? ( especially in this weather - if not - the bladder can get twitchy - accidents.)
Has anything happened on the home front that has worried her?

CaitlinsMummy2005 · 11/05/2008 20:13

Thanks for your reply. About 6 weeks ago we increased her hours at nursery - all ok. A bit sleepier than usual, but too be expected.

3 weeks ago I was really poorly with the flu, which I know did affect her. We are very close and she struggled not having me as available as I usually am. The wetting started after this though......

OP posts:
fishie · 11/05/2008 20:17

there will be a reason and no point in stressing about it, back to pull ups at night if neccessary.

first. go to gp, it might be infection and better to check just in case.

second. ds is 3 and has started dropping naps. on days with no naps he is wetting bed at night after having been dry for months. he is sleeping more soundly and not waking / holding on.

eddiejo · 11/05/2008 20:35

Just respond to all positives (you prob do this anyway)and clear up the accidents with no fuss. (really difficult if 10th for day!}
I agreee with fishie and go back to pull ups at nioght to take the pressure off.
I would try and spend ten mins a day 1:1 with her letting her take the lead in play to get her used to you being available again.
Maybe find book on being poorly/doctors/recovery.

Spoo · 11/05/2008 20:42

Had exactly the same problem with our DS (3 in Feb). Ended up with me completely losing it when he pooed on the floor of my kitchen. I think we have sorted it now (I hope). After some gentle pointers from others, we realised that he was doing it for attention. DS2 is just starting potty training and I think he thought that by wetting himself he would get more attention. We have now gone back to making really positive statements when he goes to the toilet. Lots of praise for being a big boy and showing his little brother how to do a wee.

Do you think she might be doing it for attention??

CaitlinsMummy2005 · 12/05/2008 14:03

Thank you for your messages. We took DD to doctors this morning and tests showed no water infection, so that's ruled out. Had a chat with Health Visitor and have re-introduced toilet chart - a star for each successful visit with a treat after so many stars.

Fingers-crossed this helps.

OP posts:
Spoo · 12/05/2008 17:36

Goood luck Caitlin's mummy.

eddiejo · 12/05/2008 19:52

She'll be fine soon .

notnowbernard · 12/05/2008 19:59

IME this is very common, so don't worry

DD1 has had periods of regression (have started a thread about it before) I also know of children who start off toiletting brilliantly, but the novelty sort of wears off, and they become complacent with it. With dd, she never really cares if she's wet herself as she knows it is simply a case of getting herself changed! (Which, I suppose, it is )

IME star chart/reward charts do NOTHING for dd, nor does chocalate bribery

The only solution with her is to COMPLETELY IGNORE it. Works every time... she'll have a few days of accidents then get herself competely dry again. She's 4.4, btw

Most kids wet themselves now and then, I've found

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