My 4 year old was potty trained at 2 1/2 all day except at naptime and bedtime. By 3 he had naptime down. At 3 1/2 he was pretty good at bedtime too. We had an occasional accident day or night, but not many. Now he is back to wetting his bed nightly. Yesterday he wet during naptime. And this morning he wet his pants while he was brushing his teeth. Why has he reverted back to his old behavior and what can I do to help him?
Nothing major has changed except we are now expecting our 2nd child (12 weeks pregnant), but my son didn't start wetting until about 2 weeks ago.
2006-09-06 06:47:05 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
My sisters son did the same thing when she found out she was pregnant with her second child. She took him to the doctor and found nothing wrong and the doctor told her that this is so common in children when they hear of mom expecting another baby. They think they will be replaced or no one will pay attention to them. He is crying out for attention.
Her doctor gave her suggestions to deal with his actions and one of them was to put him back in diapers and play the phsycology game. This was not the favorite suggestion of the doctor but it has worked in the past. When he was in diapers, he couldnt go fishing or do any other "big kid stuff" until he could stay dry. He said NOT to tell him that im putting you back in diapers cause your acting like a baby or babies wear diapers and your wetting the bed like a baby. You do not associate diapers with babies. This only confuses their emotions. Since they are crying out for attention, putting him back in diapers was a way to ensure the bonding between mom and him was still there.
He was only back in diapers for about 2 weeks during the day time. Then one day he decided to be a big boy again and didnt want them during the day. You could tell he still wanted that security feeling so he was in diapers at nite for about 3 months and was dry after that.
Some people are totally against putting a child back in diapers because they think it gives the "wrong impression to be lazy" but it worked for my nephew. He was crying out for attention and by his mom and dad giving him the attention and security that she and he will always be there for him worked. They still make special time for him to reinforce the security he was crying out for.
2006-09-06 07:25:37 · answer #1 · answered by xxxxxxxxxx 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would take him to the pediatrician first to make sure that there's nothing physically wrong with him. After you rule out an illness or condition then start looking for clues as to why he's doing this and go back to pull ups when he sleeps so you can get your rest too. Make sure that you spend time just with him - no talk about a new sibling, no mention of anyone else just focus on him. Try praising him to other people when he can "overhear" you and tell him how proud you are. This is probably just a stage but it's always good to build up a child's confidence level.
2006-09-06 13:59:47 · answer #2 · answered by Susan G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I bet it has to do with nerves, he might be reading your body language or getting vibes from you about your new baby coming. If there is s a lot of tension or anxiety around the house, this could be effecting him. I bet he is nervous, anxious, and worried about having a new little brother or sister. You need to stop giving him any drinks two hours before his bedtime, and just work through this. Make sure he understands that he is still your number one little guy and that some things will change after the new baby, but you will still love him just as much.
2006-09-06 13:54:57 · answer #3 · answered by pecksun8 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have the same problem, my younger brother aged 5 has starting wetting himself again at night, what you do is send them to bed nice and early with no nonsence (its when they go to bed late with fuss that they tend to wee themselves) and when your off to bed wake him up, or half wake him up enough to take him to the loo and sit him on the toilet, talking to him calmley has you do and tel him he has to have a pee so he wont wet himself etc, that should stop it during the night time.
For during the day, maybe now he's started to really realise that your having another child it's dawning on him that he wont be the only child around, or you and your partner have been talking about the new baby alot and is acting out to get your attention by weeing himself. he feels this may be the only way.
another reason he is wetting himself could be that he has a weak bladder and can't control it, a trip to the doc. should sort that out and he can help with some excercises for your little boy.
when you have your 2nd child he will stop acting out (if thats what he's doing) and welcome the new baby, just you wait before long, you 1st born will be obsessed about your 2nd born always saying what so and so did.
Hope i helped you out, good luck!
2006-09-06 13:55:47 · answer #4 · answered by Rebecca H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take it easy on him and don't scold because that will make him feel more insecure. it may be a little anxiety, or make sure that you are taking him to the potty before he naps and sleeps so he can void hi bladder, also restrict fluids before bedtime.
Remember accidents happen, he's just a little boy and sometimes they get caught up in playing that they forget until it is too late. Don't shame him or embarrass him because he will feel guilty and you will ruin his self esteem.
Unfortunately it may happen again once the baby is born because he might feel jealous or like he is no longer getting attention. remember to make some alone time with him so he feels special too.
good luck
2006-09-06 13:54:24 · answer #5 · answered by island3girl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It could be that he's just forgetting to go. My son did that. Make sure you remind him to go first thing in the morning or any time you have to go and limit his drinks before bed. If you don't make a big deal about it, he won't either. I wouldn't revert back to pull ups. It could also be some unconscious anxiety about the new baby. Congratulations!
2006-09-06 13:53:37 · answer #6 · answered by luvmysoldier 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe he has an infection of some sort. Sometimes kids will revert back when a new sibling comes along. This will be more apparent when the baby actually arrives.
2006-09-06 13:50:56 · answer #7 · answered by Lisa 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You expecting IS A MAJOR change. Kids can sense these things, don't ask me how, but they do. At 4 he can also understand you, all the talk about being pregnant and stuff.
2006-09-06 13:51:36 · answer #8 · answered by mom_of_ndm 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
please dont take offense to this, if you are 12 weeks preg, he started wetting about 2 weeks ago, Im going to assume you found out right about that time and maybe you are a little distracted (As any pregnant woman would be) and maybe a sudden drop in attention to the boy could have triggered it?
2006-09-06 13:58:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have 3 girls a 7 and two 4 year olds two of them wet the bed they were all trained but they are peeing in there beds all the time.alot of times i was told it was for attention or they just are to lazy to get up because its to cold or they just don't want to get up. make him pee a hour before he go's to bed and cut down on his drinks try that.i hope it all works out for u.best of luck.
2006-09-06 13:55:31 · answer #10 · answered by scottyirish 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋