Bedwetting - Las Vegas,NV

My son just went through a potty training relapse. The bedwetting was the worse part because even when he was training, he did not wet at night. It was strange that all of a sudden, he started. He's only three, so I know it is a different situation, but here's what I did:

I stopped making a big deal out of it. Believe me, I know that is hard to do when you are completely changing the bed day after day after day. I said nothing if it was wet, but I did congradulate him if it was dry. I also bought some nighttime diapers, and put them on him at night. He hated not wearing his underpants, but I told him I just didn't want him to worry every night. They do sell them in larger sizes. You will hopefully not need more than one package. If she gets upset because they are for babies, just tell her that they are also for kids who need a little help for a while. I don't think my son wet himself at night even once with those diapers on.

I think it is great that you are making special time for her. That's going to make a big difference, too. Good luck!

Dear R.:

I come from a family of bedwetters...embarassing but true! Many of us had this problem until age 6 or 7. Here is what worked for me: TONS OF WATER before bed! This way, the bladder fills quickly and the pain wakes you up!

My two children NEVER had a problem with bedwetting (like I said UNIQUE in my family!) and I think it has something to do with the enormous water bottles next to each of their beds!

One more thing...please forgive me for overstepping if I am...have you considered homeschooling your daughter until they're both ready for school? If the doctor says she has a stress problem, that sounds like either school is too much for her right now or separation from you is too difficult for her.

Just remember she's not doing this to wear you out. Bedwetting is a horrible problem which makes you feel like a failure every night!

Best wishes,

M.

Sometimes, bedwetting is just something that happens to you. Did either you or your husband wet the bed? Or either of the grandparents? My dad did, I did, one of my sons and one of my daughters did. We all outgrew it by teenage-hood, but it persisted all through childhood. I tried many solutions with my own children--bed alarms, limiting liquids, etc. Ultimately, nothing but growing older worked. You can eliminate some of the stress this way:
1) put a plastic sheet on the mattress under the regular sheet.
2) eliminate the mattress pad--less laundry.
3) Have a spare sheet set for her bed.
4) Have two or three choices for pj's
4) Teach her to pull off her wet sheets and place them in the laundry tub every morning--along with the wet pj's and undies
5) Teach her to just get in the shower and clean up every morning.
6) Try to treat it matter-of-factly. No child deliberately choses this inconvenience and embarrassment.
Even though it could be stress related or the result of having to share mom with the new one, it isn't a punishment to you. It is a very embarrassing, uncomfortable problem for the child. I know--I wet my bed until I was 13. I couldn't sleep over, I didn't dare have friends over. Just be as non-judgemental as you can. Punishing her won't change it because it isn't a choice. I think they even have some type of pull-up for bigger kids now that may be a good choice for nights and could save you all that laundry. Be loving and kind and express your understanding. But, teach her to clean up the situation herself and she will feel like she has some ownership and personal power w/o adding work to your life.
(I'm living in Las Vegas, now, too!)

I havent had any issues and hopefully I wont but with both of my kids we always woke them in the middle of the night , to take them to the bathroom , I know it sounds bad but it also helps them to respond to waking up to go pee and feeling it when it happends ...but if you have a new baby your up in the middle of the night for feeding anyways why not make a quick trip to the bathroom with her and go as well to show her you do it too ..make her more comfortable with it ...then shes empty before bed during the night and she'll go again in the morning ...hope it helps and doesnt sound bad