My 5.5 year old has never ever had a dry night and still has to wear a nappy.

[Peanuts33]

I brought him to the doctor about this recently and he said that it is probably because he is such a deep sleeper that the message doesn't reach the brain to wake him up to go to the toilet. He said that he could give him tablets so that he's not in such a deep sleep but I really don't want him to be on tablets at such a young age.

It's not even that he only has one or two wees during the night. His nappy is absolutely soaking when he wakes up in the morning.

Up until now it hasn't really bothered him at all but some of the children in his class have been having sleepovers but he said to me the other day that he wouldn't be able to go to one as he has to wear nappies at night time. He is normally such a confident little boy and I really don't want this to dent his confidence.

I'm not even really convinced that it is because he is in such a deep sleep. I think it might have just become a habit as my 3.5 year old is starting to go the same way. He's never had a dry night either but I don't know what to do to encourage them to wake up to go the loo.

I've tried all the advice like lifting up late at night, restricting fluids after 5pm etc but nothing seems to work.

I would be really grateful for any advice on this or if anyone has had a similar experience.

Hi hopefully a word of comfort - was just this morning reading a child care book (miriam stoppard) about potty training (DD refusing at the moment) and it said that 10% of all children are NOT dry at night by the age of 5, so you are not alone.

The only advice it gave was to restrict fluids for up to 2 hours before bedtime, and to wake them to go to the loo when you go to bed. As you have tried these things, maybe its just a matter of time and keep persevering.

maybe ensure he goes to the loo more often during the day so his bladder is emptied regularly.

You could get him an alarm clock, and for a short while, set it to wake every four hours so he can try to wee.

And, encourage him to go to the loo as soon as he wakes as he may be going then - have the potty next to his bed for easy and quick access?

Have a look at this thread. I know it's about a younger child but I think the advice is still true for you.

Basically, you can't train them. It's a maturity thing.

Ds just clicked at about 5 1/2 and went from very wet nappy to dry in about 3 weeks and has had no more than half a dozen accidents since (nearly 8).

Thanks so much for your replies. It has really put my mind at rest.

My 8 year old is still like this at night. I took him to a specialist (privately) who said that some boys older than him are also not dry. He ruled out physical reasons (x-ray, scans etc) and emotional/behavioural reasons (which I already knew was not the case) and said that he did not yet produce the hormone needed to be dry. He offered tablets too, but we too chose not to use them. We live in hope that one day it will kick in.

Ds2 was dry at 3 by the way.

My ds is 7 half and wet every night as well, he has also been checked out and no medical problem just not ready, ds2 was dry at 3. I can't say were really worried and will leave it another year before seeking advice again.
We were told to withold fluid and to lift at 11pm but its just not worth the performance at the moment until he is showing signs of being dry.