toileting probs

[sunflower68]

I need help!  My 5 year-old has starting wetting at school and in bed and I am at the end of my tether. Don't get me wrong I do not tell her off but have tried sticker charts, everything and she was fine when she started school.  It is a worry and I ask if she is happy etc.  The kids there are lovely, I have no bullying worries and she comes from a loving home and we have no family disruptions or anything.  I wonder if she is too busy to remember at school although she was ok till about 2 weeks ago.  Teacher very cooperative.  Any ideas??

[woofgang]

First thing to consider is does she have a wee infection? I would suggest a trip to the doc's or practice nurse to check on this

[andy hughes]

Assuming you have eliminated a urinary infection, and any social issues, it may be that your daughter simply doesn't pick up the nerve signals, or doesn't act on them because she is busy. Don't let her drink or eat anything later than two hours before bedtime. When she's in bed, let her sleep for about three or four hours, then wake her, and take her to the loo. Ask the teachers to ask he if she needs the loo every couple of hours, and eventually she will start to recognise the signal that her bladder is full, and respond to it. Don't panic, this is very common, and almost all children do grow out of it.

[jills]

sunflower68...just to follow on from what Andy said.... at age 5, it is estimated that 10 per cent of five year olds still bed wet, and the normal child may be night trained anywhere between 18 mnths and 8 years.  Also, lapses following successful dry nights/days are not at all uncommon.  Toddler Taming by Dr Christopher Green has quite a big section on this topic...maybe you could borrow it from your library?  I know a friend of mine from Mothers and Toddlers found it very useful with her little one when he had a wetting phase at school after being dry for some time.  Good luck. xx

[PurplePixie]

I am also assuming that a urine infection has been ruled out. I just remember the same thing happening to me at about that age, and the reason was that my 'friend' told me that there were daleks in the loo (she'd seen them!) and I was so terrified about going on my own that I would try not to go at all & it caught up with me every day. At that age kids can get really funny fears about things, could she be nervous about going into an empty loo on her own for some reason? If you put yourself into a 5 year olds shoes, a loo could seem quite spooky. Just a thought anyway.