My 4.5 year old is suddenly wetting herself regularly.. help!

[MamaOooh]

My DD has been toilet trained since 2.5 (Wasn't dry at night until almost 4 but I know that's a different kettle of fish).

However in the last couple of weeks she has suddenly started to wet herself - a couple of times it's been when she's mid tantrum, twice in the car but mostly when she's happily playing but just seems to 'forget' to go?! It's come out of nowhere and I'm not sure how to handle it.

I'm trying to not get frustrated but it IS frustrating that she just doesn't seem to care, she will just look down and go oh I've wet myself, sorry, completely unbothered. If I ask why she will just say she didn't know she had to go because she was happy/sad/angry.

I've set some timers for in the evenings to remind her to go and try, but I'm worried that it might start to happen at school and people might pick on her 😖

Has anybody else experienced this before? Did it pass? Thanks

I had this when we trialled foods they were allergic to (dairy).

Have you had her tested for a bladder infection? Mum to 4 girls ( all adults now) here and found this can be a cause of issues like this

My DD went through a phase of having accidents when she had been potty trained for nearly a year. In her case, I think it was related to starting pre school. Has your DD had any big changes or transitions recently? It lasted for a couple of weeks and then stopped.

Might be worth seeing if the GP can check for a UTI

I have just come out of a couple of weeks of this with my 4yo DS. I’m not sure if it was the transition back to pre school after Christmas/New Year (he attends 2 days a week and term time only) but something happened that made him regress. A week or so and it resolved with some gentle reminding and going to the bathroom with me. For him I think he was busy playing and left it too late and FOMO.

The thing that stands out to me in this is you’re bothered that she’s unbothered. How do you want her to feel? Embarrassed? Ashamed?
I had a similar problem when I was little and I was made to feel like I was naughty. Turns out I had bladder and kidney infections left untreated.
Please don’t shame her (I’m not suggesting that you do), it will make the problem worse. Take her to a GP.

Hadn't considered a UTI or infection actually, she's not had any pain but it's definitely worth checking out, I will call the GP in the morning!

She's in reception so just gone back after Christmas, I do think she's struggling a bit emotionally with being in school although she mostly enjoys it, so it could be related to that.

@xOlive sorry I didn't mean it to come across that way - I definitely don't want her feeling ashamed, I know it's not her fault, I've not told her off at all just helped her clean up/run her a bath and told her not to worry, but the last few times she's literally been in the next room to the toilet and is not even fussed about trying to get there which is what I mean about it being frustrating.

Have the school mentioned any accidents?
I’m wondering if the routine in school allows for “scheduled toilet breaks” and at home she forgets unless she’s told?
In Reception they’re normally reminded to go before break/lunch etc. and other children running off to the toilet might also be reminding her.
I’d speak to the school and maybe go to the GP. X