Thursday, January 24, 2008

Potty Training Woes

Let's say a child has been wearing panties and using the potty for 2 years. She's fully potty trained, even at night. And then ALL THE SUDDEN, she starts wetting her pants, not like going all the way, but enough that the pants are not wearable and have to be changed. She only does this during the day, not at night. She used to go hours without going potty and would be fine. At night, she goes about 8-10 hours staying dry. She does it at home, at school, at church, basically anywhere. All you moms of older or grown children, why is this happening, when will it stop, is it behavioral and should be a punishable offense, or is it psychological and can't be helped? Please, impart your wisdom upon me! I've tried being sympathetic and understanding and it only got worse. Then I tried to correct the problem with punishment and it didn't seem to phase it. Now I'm setting the stove timer for every 45 minutes and MAKING her go every time the timer goes off, whether she needs to or not. I should add nothing has changed in our lives or family or routine or surroundings. Nothing tramatic has happened. She's her normal happy self in every other way.

Teach me of your ways oh great and wise ones.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Perhaps a touch of a urinary infection or "irritation"? Cranberry or Cranapple juice - lots of water - limit sodas.

Not a lurker - :)

BB

Texas Aggie in Florida said...

Oooo, good thinkin' Brenda! Hadn't thought of that.

Texas Aggie in Florida said...

I researched the symptoms of UTI's and this seems to be the only symptom she has, but I went ahead and made a doctor appt for tomorrow morning to have her tested in case just in case. Causes of UTI's include bubble baths (which she takes almost daily) and holding urine for long periods of time, which I guess nighttime would count? She doesn't hold it for long periods during the day.

Acting Lori said...

um...when my uncle was little (he's 13 now) mom says he did this sometimes when he was doing a growth spurt (getting tallered and biggered) gramma said she thought it wasx caiuse his bladder wasn't getting bigger as fast as the rests of him...corrected itself in a months or so...
but is just a theory.

Rachel said...

emma had a uti when she was 2. still in diapers though. i can't give her bubble baths any more b/c of that. :(

really strange that she would start having accidents...hope the dr helps.

Kim said...

Sometimes they just get "busy". Just don't want to take the time to go to the bathroom. Silas is almost 6 and still has trouble occasionally. He was an absolute nightmare to potty-train.

Anonymous said...

I am glad you are taking her to the dr. You had urinary problems as a child also, and it was a physical problem that had to be corrected sergically. Take no chances, take her in. She may have lost control from an infection or something. Stop those bubble baths for a while.

Granny

A Perfect Pandemonium said...

My two year old had a problem. We had to go to the doctor for it and he said the problem was he was hurting when he had to pee so he would just hold it, therefore his bladder went crazy. It was trying to push pee out while he was trying to hold it in without even knowing it. We had to get him on some medicine for about a month and then it cleared up! This problem caused an infection which is why we ended up learning about it. Otherwise, we would have never known and Cody probably didn't even know this was happening himself!

I'd take her in also, could be something she's not even aware is happening. Keep us posted!

Anonymous said...

the nurse in me has to comment....

could be a urinary infection or could not

could be that she is just 4 years old and does happen to have a younger sibling. ours has his good potty days and some not so good...mostly good though. with the not so good, i remind him of the good ones. when i notice the not so good ones, we talk about his potty routine for the next day at bedtime (i want you to go on the potty 4 times tomorrow since you are 4 years old for example). they say in nursing school your goals for your patient must be measurable...hee hee.

if she does not have a urinary infection, then don't worry...just normal. just having a little slide backwards, but it will go back like it was again. i wouldn't worry at all.

you could bribe with a day at Disney for good potty behavior?!?!?!?!?!? that is what i would do....i know...bribery. oh well.

circus of love said...

Are starting to potty train your 2 year old? I have heard of older children regressing when the younger sibling starts potty training. When we potty train we give an m-n-m to everyone because we are all usually in the bathroom when the little one is going...encouraging and clapping and singing and well you get the picture. Then the little one gets a reward for "going" and the older one(s) get a reward for encouraging. Hopefully you'll figure it out soon.

I am just introducing our 2 year old to potty training. She's gone on it once after she sat on it for an hour. Too much to deal with having a newborn, right now.

I guess you went to the doctor today... if it is something physical...I pray it is something easily corrected.
Kathryn