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Parenting

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Original poster

DD almost 5, still wetting the bed

20 replies

BaconAndAvocado · 20/06/2013 20:33

I realise she will outgrow this but I'm not sure whether putting her back in pull ups is a good idea or to just change the bedclothes every morning?

Have tried lifting her just before I go to bed, at 11ish, but this makes no difference. She seems to bed wet at about 5am.

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AppleAndBlackberry · 20/06/2013 20:42

I don't think there's any evidence that not wearing a nappy speeds up being dry at night if that's what you're thinking.

My mum changed bedsheets for years for one of my siblings because they didn't do pull ups big enough in those days. A lot of washing for her!

Original poster

BaconAndAvocado · 20/06/2013 20:47

So you're saying that she will stop wetting when she's good and ready, regardless of a nappy?

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AChickenCalledKorma · 20/06/2013 20:51

DD2 still wets the bed 2/3 times a week at nearly 8 years old :-( We are getting advice from the local sleep clinic, but they won't take you on until the child is 7. In other words, your daughter is still very young and it is pretty normal for her not to be dry and night.

Personally, I would go back to pull-ups for six months and they have another go. There is a reason why they come in big sizes!

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imtheonlyone · 20/06/2013 20:51

Yes. There's a hormone that needs o kick in and until that happens there's very little you can so . My DS (8) still wets the bed. Probably once or twice a week. I don't use pull ups but have those disposable mats under his sheet so its easier to wash (just the sheet mostly) and change the mat. Docs don't do anything till at least 7 and really there isn't much they can do about it either. There are drugs apparently but I'm just happy to wait it out. Lifting is not a good idea because the bladder will then gets used to being emptied at that time and sets you back!

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 20/06/2013 20:52

My DS is nearly 5 and wears a pull up to bed.

Less washing, he gets a better sleep and so do we not worrying about it.

Dryness at night is to do with hormones, children get there at very different times and there is no point stressing about it.

ubik · 20/06/2013 20:54

my dd1 wasn't dry at night until she was 7 and wore pullups until then. she is now 9 and never wets.

DD2 is 6.5 and is still in pull-ups too.

All children are different, I know children dry t night aged 2 and others still wetting at age 8.

When they're ready, they're ready!

Original poster

BaconAndAvocado · 20/06/2013 20:59

Thanks all. That is all very reassuring to hear

I will go back to pull ups for a few months and then start stressing all over again

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mummy1973 · 20/06/2013 21:05

dd was 7 when she was eventually dry. Pull ups saved us all a lot of hassle and discomfort. It just happened when she was ready. Don't stress. It is v v common.

uselessinformation · 20/06/2013 23:11

Didn't even try no nappies at night until aged six. Not one wet bed since. Why have the bother of washing wet sheets for years.

frogwatcher42 · 20/06/2013 23:14

One of my dc wasn't dry until nearly 8. As said above, the hormone hadn't kicked in. One day it did and dc has been dry since!!!

I didn't have wet beds as I didn't stop using pull ups until dc was dry! Couldn't see the point, but then I have a relative who specialises in this kind of thing and so knew it was pointless worrying.

frogwatcher42 · 20/06/2013 23:17

And if the hormone doesn't kick in, I am told it can be given artificially. I think children can be seen from age 7 if there is still a problem. Before this, being wet at night is common.

Raaraathenoisybaby · 20/06/2013 23:22

Put the pull ups back on and give yourself/ds a break. Letting him sleep on wet sheets seems much worse than risking it taking longer - which sounds like that has no effect anyway. Also I think the stress and stigma of wet sheets won't help either. I know loads of kids around that age in night nappies its no big deal.

Original poster

BaconAndAvocado · 21/06/2013 17:41

Popped a pull up on her last night and looked forward to a full night's sleep......wrong! Because of her manic excitement about her first school trip today we had a very early morning visit, but, importantly, no wet sheets.

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crumblepie · 21/06/2013 23:37

i would put the pull ups back on if she is ok with it ,if she going to wet at least it saves a lot of washing for you and stops her getting uncomfortable sleeping in wet sheets , wouldnt worry too much at her age tbh .

Svrider · 22/06/2013 07:46

I agree put her in those nite time nappies
My ds is exactly the same age and still wets the bed
I was determined to get him dry, and didn't put him in any for a week
Soggy wet bed, soggy wet boy
Bath every morning for said boy
2 loads of washing for me

Also despite my best efforts the bedroom had a distinctly urine aroma

I've brought him a new mattress, aired out his room and put him in nappies!

Mrsrobertduvall · 22/06/2013 07:52

Mine was 8 before he stopped. Cost me a fortune in pullups!
Make sure she drinks plenty of water during the day, so her bladder gets to work.

Ds went to the clinic and was dry in 3 months.

Original poster

BaconAndAvocado · 23/06/2013 19:53

svrider I too have just bought DD a new mattress! No matter how much I've washed her old mattress that yucky smell just won't budge!!

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party245 · 24/06/2013 17:57

Agree go back to pull ups.

There are a few things you can do to help too such as ensuring she drinks loads early in the day and then nothing in couple of hours before bed. Drinking lots is helpful to increase bladder capacity.

Ensure not constipated and note a child can be impacted without the parent being aware that they are constipated which can result in night wetting.

My DD would wet whenever she drank blackcurrant too.

Potterer · 24/06/2013 19:46

DS1 was 9 before he was dry at night. We know it was the hormone "vasopressin" because he went on residential school trips so our GP agreed to prescribe the hormone replacement "desmopressin" and it worked.

At home he was in pull ups. The fact that they are now readily available in the supermarket aged from 8-15 years shows how many children do still wet the bed it just isn't talked about.

We looked at the ERIC website for info, loads of fluids in the day to increase the capacity of the bladder, no red drinks etc and it worked. He is now 10 and very rarely wets the bed.

We have a brolly sheet (available online) on his bed plus we splashed out and he has a very decent mattress protector. In fact all our beds have a mattress protector on following my waters breaking whilst I was in bed but luckily I managed to dive out of bed before the gush

Better to be in pull ups that endless washing. Due to the size of ds1's bladder it would usually be the sheet, duvet, duvet cover, and sometimes the pillow plus the pyjamas. That is a hell of a lot of washing plus my normal wash load for that day.

Original poster

BaconAndAvocado · 25/06/2013 10:51

It's so reassuring to hear all your stories, thank you

I think the main reason I was stressing out was other people's views and judgements

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