al,ost 100% regression in 3 yr old son previoulsly completely potty trained

[SophieBull]

I've added to some other threads, but would be very grateful for any advice anyone can give.
My littel boy (3 yrs 10 days ago) was doing really well, but has suddenly almost completely regressed, starting with small wet patches, but now rarely doing a wee in the loo.
I've tried:
Showing disappointment/annoyance
Ignoring wet pants
Praising +++ when he goes to the loo
Discussing how babies wet their pants and big boys keep them dry (the only thing that made any difference - but only for a day - yesterday)
If I ask him if he wants to go he says no, and I can't persuade him to go. Sometimes, he says he needs a wee and then changes his mind and says 'maybe not' when we get there, and I can't persuade him to try. Minutes later, very wet pants.
WE've also had probs getting him dressed recently.
I plan to go to the Dr tomorrow.
Any one who has any ideas, please help!!!!

My dd regressed and began wetting all over the place. We'd ask her if she had to go and she'd say no. Then suddenly she'd wee everywhere, like a flood. It seemed to surprise her as much as us. THis may sound weird but we figured out that it was orange that was the trigger. Every time she ate or drank anything orangey it happened. We stopped the orange and the problem stopped. Very odd I know, but true.

I'd definately go to the doc though. We took dd2 and got her checked for infections etc.

Good luck

Thanks - that's facinating. I'll bear it in mind, but it seems more like laziness (in the nicest possible way!), since his accidents are not that 'spectacular'!
Never know - I might find a connection. Fingers crossed!!
My big concern is that he's unhappy for some reason, as his general behaviour has seen some deterioration since his birthday as well. No changes in his life recently, and he seems quite well and chirpy, but it's preying on my mind.....

Hi Sophie, same thing's been happening with my ds (he's 3 in 10 days). I've come to think that from his perspective we've been taking it for granted, and he needed us to make a big deal of it again. So I got a sticker book, and lots of fun stickers & make a huge, enormous deal out of every single success, he gets a sticker in his book & on his clothing if he wants & I make sure to tell everyone that's why he's wearing a sticker so he's proud of himself. I've also started completely ignoring any accidents, and just dealing with them, so he's not getting more negative attention than positive if you know what I mean? Over the weekend, he's done really well & seems interested again because mummy & daddy are so pleased with him. Plus I followed cod's advice on her pooey toddler thread - I don't ask anymore, I just take him because he'd always say no if I asked & then wee 5 mins later. Now there's no choice, but I tend to make it a race - I'll get there before you & that really works as he gets competitive about it & races me up the stairs - I'm 38 weeks pg so he wins every time I did think he had a slight infection too, and that was contributing to the dribbles problem so maybe the dr can clear that up.
I'm feeling so much better as was getting very frustrated with new baby about to arrive (8 pairs of trousers he went through on Friday!) but seems to be paying off although I have to be quite vigilant carrying the sticker book around with me everywhere!

He might be pushing his blaadder bounderies, seeing how long hecan hold a wee.

Do a few days of bare bottom at home, it always helps to reinforce the messge with ds1

agree with colditz.
also, he's maybe struggling between wanting to decide when to go on his own (hence his refusal to go when you prompt him) and not having long enough to get there when he realises he does need to go.
Accessorizechristmas's idea about stickers sounds like a good way to get through this - it's giving him back some control (if he decides to do a wee when you suggest it, he gets a sticker but it's still his decision).
Good luck - we 've all been there!

will have to turn the heating up for barebottom days!
Interestingly I mentioned a sticker book/chart to my pediatrician father the other week & he went ballistic at me, said in no way was ds (3 next week) old enough or ready & it was completely pointless. I should put him back in nappies was his answer!

How interesting that your dad says that.
Maybe he was thinking about a complicated sticker chart with columns and all sorts of conditions?
My ds3 who turned 3 two weeks ago has a piece of A4 stuck on the wall with his name on it. When he does a wee in the toilet (he's been regressing a little too), he gets to put a gold star on the paper.
That's it - nothing complicated. And we're only doing it for a couple of days, until he's back on track.
He certainly understands it - and it is working

Hi Everyone
Thanks for all your very helpful advice: This week has been slightly better (and very busy hence my lack of response before now: very ungrateful - sorry). I will try the sticker thing, I think, though things have been slightly better this week following a week of praising +++ with sucesses and trying not to show annoyance with accidents. I also have been washing him and taking him upstairs to change after an accident, so that it is an inconvenience to him, but without being a punishment. I will try not asking him if he want to go, but telling him and racing him to the loo, as well - thanks for that one. INterestingly, our worst day was yesterday when I showed frustration at the first accident and then he didn't wee in the loo again all day - 4 acciendents I think: So it bears out what you've said. Also facinating that the paediatrician said to put him back in nappies - but I think I'm with you all, I'd prefer the bribery (or 'incentives'!!) option. I think he might just get super lazy if I did that!!!! I've also been using chocolate bribes (and I'm a dentist!!!).
So hopefully this week will be much better again.

Once again, thanks to all: Above all its really comforting to know I'm not alone in this!!!