Wetting the Bed After Years of Being Potty Trained

Updated on March 09, 2008
L.V. asks from Grand Rapids, MI
13 answers

All of a sudden my near 6 year old daughter is wetting the bed again. I can't see any recent changes in her life that could be causing this. My husband and I are tired of washing all of her bedding every day so we have considered putting her back in pull ups for a short time. I have let her know that I know she needs a new comforter and I want to get it for her but I'm not getting it for her until this stops. None of us can think of a cause.

Has anyone else gone through this? Thanks!

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So What Happened?

Thank you all for your advice. I have called the doctor and they don't seem worried but want me to let them know if any symptoms appear for a UTI or something. I had already talked to all of the significant people in her life for their input. I knew one of responses would be questioning abuse, but being at home with her all day the opportunities are infrequent and being a victim of abuse I am very sensitive to those around my children. We also have a counsellor we see at times when the blending isn't as great as we would like. She has agreed to wear pullups the last few nights and I have always limited her fluid intake for and after dinner. So I guess we will just wait it out, get her up before I go to bed, make little of the bad, and rejoice in the accomplishments. Just wanted to check to see if my feelings were where they should be. Thanks for helping with my checks and balances.

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K.S.

answers from Grand Rapids on

Hi L.

A friend of mine went through that with her daughter at about the same age and they used the Goodnights with her and she did out grow it. With her they said it was a bladder change and that she was sleeping so hard that she didn't wake up to go to the bathroom. I went on for about 3 months but the Good Nights saved thier sanity.

Good luck
K. S

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L.E.

answers from Detroit on

Be patient, it will pass. I would strongly suggest that you monitor her intake after a certain time of the day. Also, you may have to get her up during the night and one time early in the morning and she will adjust to the habit of getting up as well as feel proud when she wakes up dry. She should definitely be praised for those sucessful mornings.

Be blessed,
Sonya
Working Mother of 6.

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R.B.

answers from Detroit on

i know this is something no parent wants to think about but, could someone be abusing her? that happened to my sisters niece when she got abused. having her talk to a psycologist my be a good idea to hopefully rule it out. maybe its just a fear, or that she is cold while she's sleeping (really cold nights we wake up to at least 1 wet bed.)

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H.T.

answers from Detroit on

My husband is a chiropractor and is always telling me stories of kids who start wetting the bed again, after years of being trained. He says in almost all of the cases, the child has an issue with the bone in your spine putting pressure on the nerve that controls the bladder - therefore resulting in loss of control of the bladder. After being adjusted, many children respond in as little as 1-3 treatments and no longer wet the bed. You can look up research articles on this at michiganchiropractors.com - it's fascinating! Good luck with your daughter.

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A.M.

answers from Saginaw on

I am going through the same thing with my 6 year old daughter. She goes in spurts. She may go a week without wetting and then 3 nights in a row she wets. We limit her drinks before bed and make sure she goes to the bathroom, but sometimes that doesn't even work. I have read that a child's bladder doesn't grow as fast as they do and it can't hold that much. At least you know you aren't the only one washing bedding all the time.

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K.S.

answers from Saginaw on

I have to agree...after ruling out medical, check into emotional. After ruling that out...really look into her diet. My daughter wets the bed occasionally after having soda to drink that day...no matter how many times we have her releive herself b4 going to bed...9 out of 10 times, she has an accident...she is 9!!
It is very frustrating...the laundry and the "talks", hang in there, this too shall pass!!
Good Luck!

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J.T.

answers from Detroit on

Hi L.,

Perhaps your daughter is in too deep of a sleep to know she is wetting the bed. I can remember, as a child I would dream I was sitting on the toilet and, sure enough, would actually be wetting the bed. Are you making sure she is going to the bathroom right before bed? Also, are you monitoring her liquid intake in the evening? Have you ruled out any medical issues? Is she having any problems at school? You say you are a blended family. Is she adjusting or has she adjusted to the family as a whole? These are all just possibilities that you might consider. I hope you will find the cause and a solution as well. Good Luck

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T.A.

answers from Detroit on

I don't have the answer but I just wanted to share with you that we also have the same problem going on in our home. My daughter who will be 6 in April started wetting the bed at least 3 times a week last Fall. We finally put her back in pull ups at night because we were tired of all the washing. She has been in the pull ups for about 6-8 weeks and we are just now seeing some improvement. I don't know if it is over but she has been dry now for a week straight. I'm waiting for the 2 week mark before I try a night without backup. We try not to make a big deal about the situation and it didn't bother her to much about the pull ups (which kind of surprised me). They are not that comfortable which is one incentive. I was told once by an MD that we shouldn't be concerned until she is about 6. Well that time is coming up soon so if the problem persists we will start with the Doctor and go from there. A part of me thinks she will just get over it when she is ready. That is what they kept telling me about potty training and that is exactly what happened. Good luck.

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A.N.

answers from Detroit on

maybe you should take her to the dr, she might have a urinary tract or kidney infection?

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T.W.

answers from Lansing on

First take her to the Dr. to rule out any medical problems. If all is clear it is emotional.

I know you say there has been no changes, but wetting the bed after years of being trained usually is an emotional issue. You are a blended family, so there are other parents involved I would check with them on what might be going on. Talk to her school and anyone involved in her life. I bet if you look deep enough, there is a problem.

Please remember, not to punish her, it is not something she can control.

GL:)

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S.M.

answers from Grand Rapids on

I went thru this with all three of mine. sometimes, they are so tired they do not wake up in time. I never made a big deal about it, they were embarassed enough as it was. only happened a couple of times, then stopped. things to think about, how much does she have to drink before bed? getting enough rest? also possibility of bladder infection. any pain going potty? good luck, try not to get too frustrated. she is probably just as upset at you are. good luck, S. M.

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M.S.

answers from Grand Rapids on

My son wet the bed until he was 7. At first it concerned me, but I put that aside and instead of relaying my concerns and grief to him, just kept telling him it was ok. A lot of kids have that problem and we'd work on it together. I made it a "we" solution and "we" cut back on the liquids after dinner..no pop as that is a dieuretic, and just washed the sheets...got plastic for the mattress...and didn't make a big deal about it. Told him kids bladders are smaller. If you're sure it isn't a medical condition...work on it with her. Comfort her and reassure her you'll both get through it together. I'm sure you are stressed also...blended families are a source of stress, but maybe your daughter is feeling insecure and hasn't caught up to the rest of the family, yet. Good luck, but if you see things in a different perspective(ie, at least you HAVE a beautiful daughter who I am sure gives you much joy)then a small thing like wetting the bed diminishes.I'm sure you are tired with all your duties as a stay at home mom(I used to think three outside jobs would be easier than staying home...)but put on some good music , take time out to play some games with her when she gets home from school and soon this stage will pass. Thank God for the blessings and small trials you have and know HE is over all and will help you get through them! Blessings! M

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A.B.

answers from Grand Rapids on

I don't have any personal experience with this but here are a few things that I have read that could cause it in a child that has already been successful at not wetting the bed.

a new medication
a new soap/bubbles/lotion
diabetes
constipation
UTI/bladder/kidney infection
seizures

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