6yo accidents

[TheWorstWeek]

DS is 6yo and is having multiple wet accidents a day. He's been "dry" during the day fairly consistently since he was about four, maybe an accident or two every few weeks, but this is now multiple times a day. Every few nights he'll still wet the bed too.

I know that a large part of it is to do with not wanting to stop what he is doing to go to the toilet. I also think that he rushes and doesn't quite finish which leads to him going to the toilet several times in a short space of time. Despite prompting to go he will deny he needs, only to run to the toilet a few minutes later and be "too late". I can't physically take him myself every time he needs.

I think he is drinking enough during the day but of course with him being at school it's hard to know. At the weekend we make sure he has plenty, spaced out through the day, none just before bed.

Any suggestions to finally get him over this would be appreciated. I'm not sure my sanity - or my washing machine can take much more!

Does he sit down to wee? That might help- it's easier to stop and rush off if your standing and he is less likely to fully empty.
Could he have a wee song or something to make him take his time? We used to get our kids to sit, fully relax, and when they were finished sing like a silly 20 second song to get them to wait to make sure they were properly finished.

If they are really flighty and busy and not relaxing on the toilet for a minute (we also had this problem with my child needing to sit for a while to poo) We put a small plastic toy on the sink for them to use on the toilet, like a puzzle ball like perplexus. It just got them to take their time and relax. Also they can be properly cleaned which you need if its going to live in a bathroom.

Also sometimes we took a break from any squash, especially blackcurrant or any fruit juices for a while as they can irritate the bladder.
We also got them to set themselves a 20/25 minute timer on the alexa after having a big drink, as thats usually when a kid will need to pee.

Also if the change is recent and he used to be well trained could you get him checked for a UTI?

Constipation can cause this. A big impaction in the bowel pushing the bladder.

We're going through this with DD who is also 6. I've no answers - I'm just reminding her often and have asked school to do the same but we're still having frequent accidents. No urine infection or constipation according to the doctors.
Hope it gets better for you soon!

Is this a recent change? Could be have an UTI or be constipated?
Also is he drinking more than usual? Weeing more and bed wetting after previously being dry can be a sign of type 1 diabetes

Thanks for your thoughts.

He has always sat down to pee and still does. He doesn't like to stand unless he absolutely has to. The accident tends to happen as he starts to pee before he's fully taken his trousers down so he gets it on the back of his trousers. Apparently once he gets into the bathroom he "is just bursting" and can't hold even if he didn't feel totally bursting before.

He's not been perfectly trained but it was obviously much better than this. It's several times a day instead of once a week kind of thing. It has coincided with him going back to school so I wonder if that has something to do with it. He is able to and knows to use the toilet at school but I wonder if all the distractions in the classroom means he waits too late, and then this behaviour is carrying over into the home.

I don't think it's a UTI or constipation (he's a regular every second day kinda kid and always has been) but I'll maybe see if I can get him to the GP.