DD having 'accidents' next to the toilet...

[JenniMoo]

DD had been potty trained for almost a year and has very few accidents. However, for the last month, she's regularly wetting herself as she's trying to get to the toilet. It's almost always on the floor next to the toilet, before she's pulled her clothes down.

I wondered if it was an attention seeking thing (she has a new-ish baby brother) but can't see any signs of this so I think it's just her letting oh too soon. I've tried to explain to 'squeeze' but at 3 she's not getting it.

Any strategies, or wait it out and be slightly disappointed but supportive each time?

Anyone had this happen?

How hard to get off are her clothes?

Jeans can be stiff, what about soft joggers or pj bottoms in the house?

If she has to go upstairs, could you have a potty downstairs for a while?

Maybe go back to reminding her a bit more often like "I bet you can't have a wee before I get back with your favourite book/snakes and ladders/your drink"

I'm trying to remind her more but it's hard to do that all day. I don't think the clothes make a difference as when it happens she's never started to try taking anything off.

We did get rid of the downstairs potty a few months ago, but I'm loathe to bring it back as it was a pain having to keep carrying it upstairs as I've got a baby who needs carrying about too...

It seems to be that she just relaxes too early...

Uti a possibility?

I'll look out for other signs, it's a possibility.

Does she ever do it outside the home?

Nope. I don't remember the last time it happened anywhere but the bathroom floor!

Do you make a big fuss of the baby at nappy changes?

Silly faces/raspberries/funny voice etc might just be making her think "I want in on that"

I wondered and it is a possibility. I've been as cold and quick with sorting her as I can the last few weeks, even to getting her to change herself. She seems genuinely sorry and although I've been looking, no signs it's for attention. But could be!

I agree a simple "oh dear" and helping to clean up is the way to go.

Is she interested in helping with the baby?
Maybe some looking at baby photos of her and listing all the amazing things she's learnt to do at the appropriate pics.
"look dd, mummy was so proud here when you learnt to sit up/use a fork/walk/use the toilet, it's soooo lovely to have such a big girl" in your best super happy voice.

Totally clutching at straws

Have you tried..........a sticker chart?!

I had exactly the same thing. I suspected dd was attention seeking and having accidents on purpose in a safe place. It stopped after a while.

If she can't help it I'd feel bad having a chart. Might be a good way to get her to go before she's desperate though...

My DD did this, I figured she was just not giving herself enough time to get to the loo if she was engrossed in something. Didn't make a big deal about, she put her clothes in the laundry basket and got changed. Then it stopped, did reoccur when she started school and she was getting desperate on the walk home

Just an update in case anyone searches this. The accidents stopped for a week, restarted for a couple of weeks, then stopped again. It's been a few weeks now and nothing. Fingers crossed we're passed it.
I didn't do anything, just didn't fuss in either a positive or negative way.