Could I get nappies on the NHS?

[mummyloveslucy]

Hi, my 5 year old daugter is still soiling herself and wetting herself very regularly.

She used to be dry day and night, but for no known reason has really gone down hill.

Since comming home from school today, she's wet herself twice and messed herself twice too. She wet herself once at school today too. She controls it better at school.

She is a very tall 5 year old and the only size nappies that fit her now are the dry nights. They are so expensive though. She needs to wear one when she visits friends, and obviously at night.

I don't like her wearing then at home, as I don't want her to loose all control forever. It is hard work though as I have to change her clothes up to 6 times a day and our carpets need shampooing very regularly. It's a nightmare at the moment.

Is there anyone I can speek to to get advice re the training and wether or not she could have some nappies on the NHS. Thanks.

I think you need a referral to the continence nurse/service? Don't quote me on that as we haven't reached that age yet!

Can your GP help?

Does your daughter have an underlying condition? I think that a limited supply of nappies are available in some cases but it is woefully inadequate.

David Cameron is the person to email I'd say.

I'm not sure why she does it. She is usually constipated but giving her movicol is tricky as she dosn't control her bowels at school at all and movicol gives her the runs.

Underlying condition or not, mummyloveslucy, your child obviously needs attention than normally-developing children of the same age in this respect so it may be worth applying for financial help in the form of DLA for her?

She doesn't need a specific diagnosis and only has to prove that she has additional care needs, which it sounds like she does.

It would go a way to sorting the cost of clothes and sheets and carpet cleaning.

We'll help you with it

If she's school age, the school nurse might be the person who can help you with this. Even if she can't, then her input might be useful if you do decide to apply for DLA (and the school's opinion would almost definitely be sought, anyhow).

Thank you, I'll look in to it. Even if it was a small amout of help towards the cost of nappies etc it would be well worth it.

I doubt the school would support the idea of her having nappies, as she controls herself far better there. They can't understand why she dosn't control herself at home. They also say she shouldn't be wearing nappies at night and should just use a waterproof sheet. This would mean washing her bedding every day, as she soaks her sheet, and the doovey cover.

This is a lot to take in mll, but is a good guide to claiming money for extra help.

www.cerebra.org.uk/Resources/Cerebra/Parent%20Support/dla_guide_nov07.pdf

An appointment with the school nurse is a great idea. My nephew is also having these problems but at school, sometimes soiling his clothes twice in a day.

A waterproof sheet compared to nappies it's a no-brainer in terms of comfort, isn't it? These sort of suggestions make me quite angry. Would any sensible person who suffered from heavy periods make do with no other protection than just a sheet? Of course they wouldn't. Why is it considered acceptable for a little child?

I think they think she won't do it as much if it isn't comfortable. It sounds a bit harsh to me. She dosn't do it on purpose!
I'll have a look at that web sight.

There's a market for those pyjama pants because it's estimated that there's something like one child in every class who doesn't become continent at night until well past the age of 5. You should invite them over to do the cleanup if they're so adamant that having nappies at night isn't helping. ;)

It's as ridiculous as suggesting my 6 year old shouldn't have nappies or pull ups at all. He's about 50-75% wee trained in the day and not at all for poos or at night, but he usually holds poo in until he gets home.

I suspect, like my DS, there's a heck of a lot of anxiety involved in her toileting problems. Constantly being cleaned up from accidents does nothing to allay that anxiety. I'm speaking from my perspective, here, but DS1 does far better when he's wearing a pull up (not provided on the NHS!) and if he's wet himself when he's sent to the toilet, he's able to deal with it himself. If we put him in pants or washable nappies, his anxiety levels go through the roof every time he has an accident and we have to send him to the toilet more often to try and prevent this, which with his pathological demand avoidance is just lose-lose. He often stays dry from waking up to evening bathtime when he's wearing a pull up.

I'd still ask for a chat with the school nurse, since it is happening at school and it's probably very embarrassing for her.

Thanks, she isn't at all embarassed about it though. She has a much younger mental age, and it just dosn't worry her. She hates being cleaned though.

I understand the rationale behind the sheet etc, but it seems harsh to me too. Obviously something isn't working, so why make the poor child more uncomfortable? It isn't her fault

The school nurse is the person to talk to. My nephew's was at my sister's house for three hours earlier today discussing his problems.

I access free nappies through my health visitor here in NI. They are free to any child not toilet trained by the age of three but I think the referral has to be through the HV. Not sure where you are MLL?

I'm in Devon. I will look in to it and perhaps ask my GP.