One of my 3 yr old twins recently started wetting the bed during naps and at night. She was fully potty trained until she became ill with Strep - although I doubt it was the illness that caused the change in behavior, but who knows. She was sleeping through naps and through the night without going potty. We put her on the potty right before a nap and she goes pee. Then, no matter how long or short the nap is, she wets the bed. I don't understand the reason for the change in behavior.
Should I purchase one of those 'shocker' devices that would wake her up if she starts to go pee during her sleep? She's only 3 so I'm not too worried yet. I just don't understand what happened or how to deal with it. We've try to offer rewards (marbles in a jar = carousel), but that's not working either.
Any advice???
Thank you for the great responses to my request for help on nighttime potty training. My daughter has had a few dry nights and I've been making a HUGE deal out of it. I keep forgetting to try the peanut butter trick, but I'll try it to see if it works. I'm also keeping an eye out to make sure she doesn't have a bladder/urinary infection from the antibiotics. Also, I do think she is sleeping more sound than she used to. It appears to be a combination of things so I'm remaining patient! Thank you again. This is a great resource!
She is incredibly normal. At 3 years old she really has to concentrate to remember to go potty and not go potty. But you can't sleep and concentrate at the same time.
Absolute NO shocker - that will traumitize her beyond belief for something she has no control over. Simply use Pull-ups at naptime and bedtime. I don't know a single 3 year old that doesn't need pullups at bedtime.
My little one is 2 1/2... will be 3 in AUg., she has been totally potty trained since 18 months. I would never recommend the shocker.... that makes me think of the kind people put on those little dogs...lol...anyways.... I say get one of those water proof pads...put it in her bed...and after a few nights of sleeping in wet, Im sure she will go back to normal. The key to it is to be matter of fact, dont stress, dont yell, dont cry.... dont stress her out about it more..... state matter of factly this is what this pad is for....also be consistent... if you put her back into pull ups she might get confused as to what you expect from her.... leave her in big girl undies..... maybe on a night when there is no accident reward with a special trip to the park, or a fancy breakfast just for her.... Good luck and hang in there... it all really just takes time!!
Potty training can have it's moments of regression, just like other thingsin life. I wouldn't stress about it. I'm sure this isn't something she is conciously doing so the only thing I can suggest doing is what you are doing. Have her pee before bed and nap time, and positive reinforcement when she wakes up dry. Maybe some pull ups during nap time so you aren't constantly doing laundry.
I have two year old twins, also born premature 7 weeks. I don't know how I would fit it into my busy schedule, but I'm very interested in knowing the types of volunteer activities with the March of Dimes to see if I could find a way to do some volunteer activities with them. Would love some info if you don't mind, or advice on how to get involved.
i would try to get her into the dr just in case like mentioned above. but if they don't find anything, try giving her a tablespoon of peanutbutter before bed/nap. when i was younger this helped and the urologist is the one who suggested it... don't know why but it worked for both me and a cousin of mine, but we also had kidney infections and such too so definatly see the dr. just in case. hope this helps!
Was she on antibiotics? I'll be honest, this happened to me as a kid (about 6). I was constantly wetting the bed at night after being on antibiotics. Turns out I had a Urinary Tract Infection that may have been my body's way of flushing out my illness. I had no pain, but was wetting the bed at night. I'd have her checked for that just in case.
Forget the shocker! Call the Pediatrician and get his advice. It may be something totally unrelated to the Strep but he's/she's the one who will know.
In the mean time get some pull up Huggies for night use.
bed wetting,
my son is 4 and he was potty trained at 2 but still required overnights. he finally got out of them last summer. i think that maybe this is an involuntary way for attention. the best way is positive reenforcement. when she goes pee before a nap of bedtime make a big deal out of it. it might also help if before you go to bed you wake her up to go one more time. i would put an overnight on and when she goes the whole bedtime without wetting make a sticker chart and make a big deal out of it. the marbles are great but i think it might be early for a goal right now. if there is negative response from you and your husband that could cause a larger problem. maybe there was medication she was on that made her to relaxed and now she is use to it. we leave night lights on in my son's bed room and bathroom. every once in a while he has an accident but we don't make a big deal out of it. if it continues it could be medical and you might want to take her to a uroligist. good luck
L.
The alarms are great for the right kid. I used it for my oldest daughter when she was three. She also had started out potty trained and NOT wetting the bed and then started. She did GREAT with it and was dry by night three and as long as she wore her alarm stayed dry. She had to wear it for confidence for a year. She will still wet the bed once in a while. (every six months or so)
My younger daughter did the same thing. She was potty trained for an entire year dry at night and then started wetting the bed. She was also three. I used the alarm on her, but it didn't even make her squirm. She was too heavy of a sleeper. On the third night of using it I went to wake her when the alarm was sounding and she in a groggy mostly still asleep voice said "I tried the best I could Mommy." I took it off. We haven't used it since. At this point my daughter hates wearing pull-ups to bed and wants to be dry. She is four now. So its time to try another alarm for us. I am thinking of getting the kind that vibrate, too. The one we have now just makes a chirping noise and has a flashing light. Doesn't work for her.
They actually recommend them for ages 6 and up. You can go to www.bedwettingstore.com and get some info. on them. I can assure you that none shock the kid. tee hee
Some times growth spurts will cuase bed wetting. But I know how you feeling having gone through that. When my younger started wetting the bed it was at nap time, too. I was so frusterated. I didn't understand why. But she was never a really sound sleeper until then. So maybe she is just sleeping so sound now that is what happens.
My son is three as well and has his accidents, thank god for plastic matress liners or the matress would be ruined. he was ok and then stopped telling me he had to go. Maybe the medications they gave her make her pee more frequently. But sometimes kids get out of routine and go right back. This to shall pass.
K., I do not believe you have anything to worry about at present. You are right when you say that perhaps being ill is possibly a step backwards. Her body already is recovering and healing from the strep; It is not uncommon for little ones to fall behind a little. You have to take into consideration she is also a premie. Take your time with her just like you did when you were first training. It may take a little more time; be patient. ( It's a virtue as you may know!)
I am an RN; previously worked in NICU for many years in the valley; worked in a pediatrician's office as triage nurse and currently working in the area in a school district.
