Night time dryness

[Shell08]

Hi, My daughter is 5 in August and has had a few requests for sleepovers during the summer hols. I wasn't bothered about nighttime nappies, but she seems a bit sad about wearing a nappy at bedtime when some of her friends don't. We bought some bed mats and attempted our first night last night without a nappy. She was really upset when it actually came to going to bed and told me that she didn't want to be a big girl and she was worried she would wee the bed. She woke me at 4am with a wet bed. Having read the above threads, I'm now thinking about popping her back in pullups at night... any advice?

IME night time dryness is not something you can do much about - they just do it when they can do it. DD has had some problems in that area and is only just dry at night. My friend, who is a GP and who's DD had no problems, said her daughter wore PJ pants until she was 6. I don't think it's considered a problem as such unless child is 8 or more.

Is she dry during the day usually?

Yes, she's been dry during the day since she was about 3 1/2. We've only had one or two accidents since (normally when she's too busy and forgets to go!). I wasn't worried about it all as I am a very relaxed parent about stuff like this. I was just wondering whether I should pop her back into pullups and leave it for a while, or whether I should persist for a week and see what happens? Thanks for writing back... I'm new to this site!

No problem at all

I would say do what is easiest for both of you. What upsets her most? Wetting the bed of wearing the pull ups? Pre-bed anxiety about this only makes the situation more likely I imagine, so go with whatever makes her happy, and for now that sounds like the pull ups. Try again in a few months. However, if she wants to give it a go for a bit longer but she is wetting the bed every night then you will both start to feel frazzled from lack of sleep, so maybe a reassuring word and again back into pullups for another couple of months?

It's tricky isn't it, the blance between encouraging them and being practical? I'm about to start this process with DS, and he's proving a lot more stubborn than DD ever was! I seriously doubt your DD will be the only child in her class in this situation though

I think you're right. I have decided that I'll give her the choice this evening and see what she decides. If she decides no pull-ups, then we'll give it a week. Never know..

Parenting is such challenge ! Thanks so much for your help.