4 Yr. Old Bathroom Issues

Updated on June 11, 2008
T.D. asks from Abbeville, LA
15 answers

Ok...here it is... I have a 4 year old daughter who has been potty-trained since she was 2 and all of a sudden, she keeps peeing in her pants. Sometimes, she stands in front of the toilet and pees all over the floor. I am so frustrated because this is so not like her.
She wets herself sometimes 3 times a day. I don't know if I should take her to the doctor or this is some way she acting out. We just recently let out of school for the summer and maybe she is out of routine. Any suggestions?

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So What Happened?

Well, things are much better. She has not had anymore accidents. Turns out, when she was going to the bathroom by herself, she was not wiping. She was very chapped. We have cleared that up and now have a better schedule at home, so she is reminded to go potty and how to clean herself better. Thanks so much for all the encouragement and advice.

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K.C.

answers from New Orleans on

I did not see anyone else indicate this, but sudden bathroom problems can indicate that a child has been improperly touched by an adult. I don't want to scare you, and apparently you have things under control, but just in case anyone else is having a similar problem, I thought it merited mentioning.

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J.F.

answers from Little Rock on

This is actually a question to the previous posters: my daughter is doing the same thing but if it was a UTI wouldn't that be extremely painful? I thought it was the opposite, you feel like you have to go but don't. Also, wouldn't her urine be really dark?

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T.S.

answers from Tulsa on

Does she stay thirsty all the time and drink more than other children her age and experiences frequent urination in short amounts of time? If so,your little one may need to test for diabetes.
Or, she may have a urinary tract infection causing her these issues.
Good luck and God bless,

T.

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C.S.

answers from Pine Bluff on

You may be right on target about the schedule from school. More than likely her teacher had scheduled bathroom breaks during the day and she got used to that. Also on today's post there are some great potty training tips you may want to review although your daughter is already trained. If this should continue very long (several days to a week) I would get to a pediatrician, preferrably one who knows her history. There may be a simple solution and I do not want to alarm you but could something have happened to her about which you are not aware. As a former pre-school teacher sometime bathroom problems are a sign of other troubles. God bless and remember there is an answer to this.

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K.S.

answers from Fayetteville on

She may easily have a urinary tract infection. She should be checked out by her doctor.

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M.M.

answers from Little Rock on

My daughter did the same thing at the age of 3 1/2 and with her there was a strong odor to her urine. I took her to the doctor and they said it was a Bladder infection...they also told me that at that age (under5) they don't normally get those. After some testing it turned out that she had Uretural Reflux and if it hadn't been for the bladder infection we wouldn't have caught it in time before the infections could have damaged her kidneys. Just to be safe and cautious it is best to take her in for a bladder/kidney infection test. I hope it's at worst a mild urinary tract infection and nothing more. My prayers are with you for a good outcome!

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P.A.

answers from Birmingham on

My opinion is your daughter has seen the guys use the restroom and she thinks she has been doing it wrong. So she is standing up like the guys. Need to take her to the restroom with Mom, until she gets the hang of it again.

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C.F.

answers from Lake Charles on

Are your daughters bowel movements regular? My daughter has chronic constipation and whenever she is really having trouble the pressure makes her go alot. She also goes in her pants before she can get to the toilet. Just a thought. You may want to mention it to your doctor though.

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C.C.

answers from Texarkana on

She should see a Dr. If she is trying to get to the bathroom, an infection would explain it. However, if she isn't trying to 'make it', she may be just too busy playing. You may have to try reminding her several times and even making her try to go to the bathroom to avoid accidents.

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A.B.

answers from Baton Rouge on

Please take your daughter to the doctor as soon as possible. This same thing happened to my husband when he was four years old. He was diagnosed with type one diabetes!!! My mother-in-law took him to the doctor and he was admitted to the hopsital that night for several weeks. They had no history of diabetes in the family but instead his autoimmune system had attack his own pancreas and killed the insulin secreating function. It may not be anything serious but if your daughter does not get help and it is diabetes it may be her life. My husband is healthy and alive today becasue of his mother's quick action. Please Please please take her to the doctor!!!!!!!!!!!!

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S.J.

answers from Birmingham on

My son, who is now grown, had the same problem. I tried pulls ups, etc. and finally went to the doctor. He had a bladder problem. Seems like my next step would be the doctor.

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J.H.

answers from Tulsa on

Since this is so sudden, I would take her to the doctor. If nothing is wrong, you will know better how to proceed.

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F.A.

answers from Birmingham on

I had the same problem with my daughter and she had a little kidney problem. Maybe you should take her to the doctor to make sure there is not a problem. I think he can better advise.

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R.P.

answers from Oklahoma City on

she might have a urinary tract or bladder infection and just can't make it to the bathroom in time. I would have the dr. check her out to be on the safe side.

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D.L.

answers from Tulsa on

this definitely sounds like a uti or worse a kidney infection. It doesn't have to be painful especially if it is kidney or bladder infection. This is definetely worth a trip to the dtr. I had these chronically as a kid and they would be really serious by the time I had any pain. Also, the tips about sugar levels etc is very valid. this is an early warning sign for type 1 diabetes. Take her to the pediatrician and let us know,. good luck

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