How do I encourage 4yr old daughter to empty her bladder through the night, she isn't aware of need to go?

Question

4 yr old, she is very active through the day and uses the toilet on her own, she seems to be struggling at night, she goes to loo prior to bed then I get her up at 10:30 then at 05:30 to use the loo but by these times damage is already done, she wants her friends to sleep over but we need to help her resolve this challenge first, your advice and ideas would be apppreciated, she gets quite upset when she wakes and realises what has happened (we don't make an issue of it with her, we explain that dry nights will come with time and practice!)

Answer 1

Just try reminding her with the same gentle care and love that she ought to try to remember even during sleep that she has to 'feel' the need and get up on her own. Not that she can be expected to understand this soon and comply. But it helps her to retain some body awareness even during sleep ! And then wake her up gently taking time and giving her a chance to listen to a whisper, and wake up on her own.
This way, the nascent self-awareness of the child will strengthen and this problem will be overcome.
And , the description gives out the fragrance of good care !
Best wishes.

Answer 2

This is a hereditary problem. Some children do not get control until they are 10 or 11 years old. It is a lack of a signal from the bladder to the brain. It takes longer for some children to develop it . It is more common then you may believe. Please tell your daughter, it is out of her control. Don't make her feel guilty or ashamed. It sounds like you are already doing everything you can to minimize wetting. I would recommend depends or larger diapers, and a mattress cover It has nothing to do with practice. When her body is ready it will stop. It can be very frustrating for the child.

Answer 3

The more she dislikes it the more she will become aware of it,She is probably a deep sleeper and isn't aware until too late,mention to her that she may be dreaming of going while she is asleep and thinking then that she's safe to go.It's great that you do not make her feel any way about that,this really wonderful.she will get it soon enough ,my granddaughter was such a deep sleeper that she 'd do the same thing for quite a while,but she eventually got it,later than most, but she did.She sill sleeps hard and when she wakes up to go,she' still aggravated by being woke up and she's now 16.good luck.

Answer 4

Apparently there's a chemical in the brain that kicks in and children stop this on their own.I took my daughter to the Doctors and he said both his girls were doing it too.My daughter finally stopped at aged 9 and had to use dry nights until then.She used to sleep really heavy and sleep in the wet most nights.I have a son and he never had a problem.You just have to wait it out I'm afraid.

Answer 5

There are lots of different strategies.

You could try not giving her anymore drinks after dinner so she is likely to go to sleep on empty.
Its also important to make her understand she is not alone and that it happens alot in kids her age.
The more she thinks she is abnormal or 'bad', the more nervous she may become, thus possibly causing her to do it more.
Also have you talked to her to see if anything is worrying her?
hope that is slightly useful.

Answer 6

not sure what your daughter drinks from, but my son who is 5 drank from one of those no spill cups which meant he would guzzle lots down all thorugh the day and wet the bed.As soon as we changed him to a normal cup he drank little bits and this did the trick for him!Something so simple.Its just finding it!Good luck and remeber each one id different but this one might just work!Bless her!

Answer 7

get her good nights she is only 4 sometimes it takes longer.
But when I was little I wet the bed and they found out my kidneys was not working right.My kidneys caught up with my body when I was about 7.And Im ok now.

Answer 8

she needs to stop drinking early in the evening. she shouldnt have to get up that often. why dont you just use pull ups at night. stop stressing and STOP waking her up during the night.

Answer 9

DON'T LET HER HAVE NOTHING TO DRINK BEFORE SHE GOES TO BED PRIOR 1 HOUR EARLY.