My daughter is 3.5. She has been day time potty trained for 2 years now and has done wonderfully. About a month ago she started having small accidents, just enough to get her underwear a little wet, usually not soaking through to her pants. It's been almost every day, sometimes twice. This wouldn't bother me so much but she's hardly had an accident since she was potty trained. Often times it's when it's been a bit longer than usual, but not always. I asked her if it hurts to go (thinking maybe a UTI), but she says it doesn't. Do I just need to remind her more often? I haven't changed how I do it at all lately (make her go when she gets up, after lunch and before bed and besides that let her do it when she feels she needs to). It's been crazy with Christmas and all, but really, it's always crazy. Any ideas?
Thanks,
K.
All three of my kids a a brief phase of wetting after a period of being out of diapers for some time.....
I suspect that with my kids it may have been a 'growth' thing....that their capacity to consume fluids is greater than the bladder's ability to keep up.
With two of my kids we did test them for UTI....and not that.
First of all - congratulations on being a SAHM!!! My oldest daughter is 5 and we had the same problem. This advice may be vague, but it's probably just a phase! They have so much going on at this age that taking the time to potty is just not on their agenda. My daughter would just play and play and play until she couldn't hold it any longer, and then play some more. Then the tiny accident would happen and she'd feel bad. I would make sure she got to the potty (once she even had a #2 accident in her big girl panties) and she would get quite embarassed about it. So just make sure she knows she's loved and wait it out. It WILL stop, eventually she'll get tired of taking MORE time out to changer her undies! Good luck - and GOD BLESS!
She may be distracted and forget to go. At 3.5 there are lots of interesting things going on. A child can be busy playing and not paying attention to their bodies signals until it's almost too late or is too late. This is a common problem with children who are pre-school age. If you watch the time when she's playing and it's been awhile, just check with her and she may suddenly realized she has to go and wasn't aware of it.
Wetting can also be a sign of stress. Now that the holidays are over, she may settle back into a pattern that gets her to the bathroom in time.
Good answers so far. Also, if the child begins new activites at school or home and gets worn out, the first thing to go can be bladder control. With my son, now 9, we had to watch his eating and his activity level. Too much junk food and no bladder control. Too many sports, no bladder control. Finally at 9 it all seems to have stabilized. Get plenty of rest and plenty of nutrition.
Brings back memories for me. I have 2 boys, now grown. There is 3 years difference between the two.
The first was potty-trained when the second was born. Fairly soon, I found I needed to pay more attention to him because he was having difficulty with remembering to go to the bathroom. I was usually busy with the second (they do require more attention)and didn't always remind him (somehow I thought he would be more secure than he was. I did figure out, though, it was usually more of a bid for attention (there's something to that sibling jealousy thing).
Don't know if that helps but it was my experience.
Thanks for the memories,
NW
Your daughter is now at the age where she gets more focused on playing or what ever she is doing and waits till it hurts almost to go and they have more accidents. So reminding her is good, but most have to insist that they go. They just don't want to take the time. If you are concerned about a UTI take her by the doctors offic and just let the nurse do a test to check it. But I really think it is just that her focus on what she is doing has increased. And she doesn't want to stop playing or watching TV
I highly recommend getting the Elmo potty Video. It reinforces the idea of stopping what they are doing to recognize the urges they sometimes ignore. The biggest reason for accidents at this age is waiting too long and then being engrossed in an activity when it's time.
Suzi
Sometimes UTI's don't hurt, so I would bring her to the doctor and have her urine tested to be sure.
I have boys but I iknow with my son he has a lot of accidents when his underwear are to tight. I don't know if that might be the same with girls. Also you have a 1 year old I'm guessing but is she walking and getting into more stuff. Your older one might just need a little more mommy time. Just remember this to shall pass. I know it is hard but hang in there.
i hear that you never really know if its a UTI unless you have them tested. I'm about to take my 4YO boy because he has also been potty trained for 1.5 years and is suddenly having accidents.. except he just lets it all go, and its SO frustrating. He just peed ALL over my couch with no pants and I'm furious. I have no idea what to do... there have been no big life changes, no new baby (except for my brother's baby that my son sees every now and then) Wonder if that could be it?
My 4 year old has been regressing lately. Although I'm wondering if it could be attributed to my 2 year old doing a great job with potty training.
What we did was start a chart. I just did 7 circles for her to make smiley faces on. If she has no accidents that day then she earns a smiley face the next morning. Her reward was going to see Enchanted. It really worked. Then the accidents started up again so I've started the chart up with her getting to pick out a movie at Blockbuster when she has all her smiles.
It has helped instead of constantly nagging. I do remember begging her to use the restroom and now I just say, "Remember if you have an accident then you lose your smiley face for tomorrow."
Has helped. I definitely feel for you because I am going through the same thing.
K., I'd suggest having her dr run a urine test. She might have a urinary tract infection. The symptoms sound like maybe that, but not at the painful stage yet. Also, check and see how well she's wiping. Keeping herself clean is a necessity to prevent future UTIs. She sounds like an adorable little girl. :)
S.
