5 year old still having frequent accidents

[missmillimentscardigan]

My DS is 5 and has just started Year 1. He's come home from school several times having wet himself this year. He always makes it to the loo but is so desperate that he wets himself he's pulling down his shorts and pants. He says that he knows when to go to the loo because he gets a feeling of wetness so I'm wondering whether he actually doesn't feel the sensation of needing to wee as strongly as he should. He went through a phase of several months with no accidents at school last year.

He has also started withholding poo and then slightly soiling himself at school because he's worried about doing a poo at school. He's the same at home.

I don't know whether to take him to the doctor's. He's never been great at using the loo and he's quite young for his age and was premature. His just turned 3 years old sister is much better than him at using the loo and very rarely has any accidents. I really want to help him sort this issue out at school before it starts affecting him socially etc.

Does anyone have any advice please?

[sleepismysuperpower1]

no problem- in that case i would speak to the teacher and just let her know about the watch, and also that he has spare clothes in his bag etc.

all the best x

[missmillimentscardigan]

That watch looks great- definitely worth a try. Thank you for sharing those two links.

We've talked so much about why it's completely fine to poo in school but he is very shy at times and can't seem to cope with it at the moment. He was too shy to tell the teacher that he had spare clothes in his bag when he had an accident a couple of days ago.
Thanks again

[sleepismysuperpower1]

as him why he is worried about pooing at school, and reassure him that its totally okay to go and its also allowed, he won't get into trouble.

you could also try getting him a small watch, maybe something like this which has a silent alarm that pules, and set it for every hour. tell him that every time it pulses, he needs to ask the teacher to go to the toilet. i would also speak to the teacher if you decide to try this, so that she is aware of his need to go every hour. www.amazon.co.uk/WobL-Watch-Childrens-Vibrating-Reminder/dp/B00HFRRA68?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

another thing, you could try these underwear to save him having to change his trousers every time he has an accident, making it less obvious to the other kids if he only has to change his pants. they look like regular pants but are absorbent: www.incontinencechoice.co.uk/child-incontinence/incontinence-products-for-boys/washable-pants/boys-padded-training-pants-5-6-yrs-230ml.html

all the best x