My daughter just turned 6 in january and she's been having more and more pee-in-the-pants accidents. She took to potty-training with ease at age 2. Of course, there's room for the occassional accident here and there, eventually and gradually becoming less and less frequent. But it seems to be getting MORE frequent!
Now, I'm a pretty patient mom, laid-back, too. I've never made a big fuss or put her down for having an accident. She's a kid! It happens! I think that it has been, often times, that she's kind of ignoring, or not quite tuned into, that internal nudge letting you know you're bladders a bit full. She can get caught up into playing, coloring, socializing, whatever. I'd catch her doin the squirmy-can't-stand-still-for-a-second dance, which is usually a pretty good que for me to send her to the bathroom. At my insistence, she'd be rather resistant.
But, not lately. She seems desperate for help. She's sick of having to change outfits. She doesn't want anyone to know that it happens when it does. She gets embarrassed (who wouldn't, eh?). A few weeks before her 6th birthday, she told me she wasn't sure she was ready to be 6. When I asked her "why?", she told me how it seems that no other 6 year old has the problem that she has. ( ! )
I have to be honest, it can be a hassle for me, too. It's not a chore I necessarily look forward to. Has anyone else gone through pants-wetting? Not ever bed-wetting, but pants (in her case, tights) - wetting.
Your daughter could have a little "low-grade" bladder infection....not enough to make her sick with a fever etc, just enough to make it uncomfortable "to go". Take her to the doctor to rule that out. If she is all clear at the doctor, maybe she just has to learn natural and logical consequences....hold it too long/pee in your pants. A reward system could be helpful. Six year olds tend to be "too busy" to take the time to go when they should.
Hey Mama! Nice to find you here :) That happens here too. When it's more than a few days close together I give mine 1/2 an asadolfus tab, cranberry juice sometimes, I also found a nice homeopathic spray for UT health, but it could also be yeast. That and a bath w/ GSE, baking soda and a few drops tee tree oil.
:) Zoe's mom A.
Hi Z.
I have a 5 year old daughter who also potty trained easily at 2. Then all of a sudden she started peeing and pooping in her pants at 5 years old. HUH, why?????
She started kindergarten this year. New teacher--a few new friends---and LOTS of new RULES! My daughter is very strong willed and very assertive (the teacher is luck if she actually gets to teach her class--lol), and being told to abide by new rules and a new schedule was not to her liking we assume. So, the one thing she could control were her bodily functions.
Her dad and I got kinda sick of it--not to mention the other kids were going to catch on and smell urine or poop and tease her.
My husband started offering her 50 cents a day that she came home dry. When she did we made a huge deal of it and ya know what? After about 3 weeks no more wet or soiled pants.
You could be absolutely right about your daughter being caught up in play, etc. to realize she has to go to the bathroom. But...since it's increasing in occurence, have you thought about taking her to the dr to make sure there's nothing medical going on?
You may want to have her checked out by a DR. Many kids experience this as they grow because their bladder is not developing as quickly as their body. It could also be a bladder or kidney infection. If those are not the case, then setting a timer to remind her to use the bathroom regularly may work. Kids get so involved in what they are doing they often don't realize they have to go to the bathroom until it is too late.
BTW, I live on the east side of Detoit too, and we often dream of moving but have determined we are right where God wants us and is using us.
Both my children experienced "wetting" around 5-7 years old. When my daughter (now 10) did it at 6, it was the first time she had done it since potty trained at a very early age and I didn't understand it. A nanny of a friend of mine told me that it was likely due to her molars coming in (she was a nanny for 9 kids - yes 9, and said every one of them had 'accidents' whether in bed or not, it was around the time their molars were coming in). I checked my daughters mouth....and molars were coming in. Believe it or not, the same thing happened to my son (now 7), when he was almost 5-1/2. Although there are no other signs (their teeth or gums weren't hurting, they weren't complaining or anything....but sure-enough, when I checked their mouths....their gums were red and their molars were starting to poke through. When the molars were finally through the gums, the frequent accidents stopped. At the time, and even now when they aren't feeling well or we are going for a long trip, etc., I use Pull-ups. They come in 4T-5T and even larger I think, and are wonderful as they make your child feel 'safe' from anyone knowing there could be, or was, an accident. Reassure your child and let her know that it happens to everyone (even grown-ups at times) and that there is nothing to be ashamed of....discuss the Pull-ups and let them know that no one will know (no one will see them, they aren't bulky like diapers) and they are easy to get on and off (with or without adult help - they have velcro-type sides so pants don't have to come off to get them on-and-off). Bed wetting and accidents shouldn't have the stigma they had when we were growing up....and no one has to know. The Pull-ups will help her and you get through this difficult time. Also be sure to discuss with her pediatrician on her next visit (or call her prior to her next visit).
Hi! I'm wondering if she has had any big changes in her routine lately? My daughter is 5, and we went thru something like that right after Kindergarten started last fall. I talked to her teacher & her pediatrician. I made up a reward system for her. The Dr. said to make sure she is not drinking too much Vitamin C enhanced drinks HI C especially, for some reason they cause bladder sensitivity. I started sending bottled water instead of juice boxes for lunch, and I pushed the water at home. She also said that a virus of any kind can cause bladder sensitivity. She told me not to embarass her, just to tell her to change and try to make it next time. In the end, patience, no juice boxes, and a simple reward program have stopped the accidents for us.
My reward program is a calander from the $ store. Every day that she does not have an accident she gets a sticker. at the end of the week she can do something a little extra based on how many sad faces/ stickers she has. A trip to the video store, library, park, etc.
I do recommend talking to the pediatrician, so they can do a urine test to make sure it is not a medical problem.
Good luck
