Question for parents?

Question

Why would my 3 year old all of a sudden begin peeing in her pants at least once a day.She's been potty trained for a long time but all of a sudden has been wetting her pants daily. No signs of a medical issue. What could be causing this behavior and how to deal with it? Thanks

Answer 1

First of all, if you haven’t yet, check with her doctor to rule out a bladder infection Are there any new changes in her life (new baby, move, new school, family issues)? Children often regress when they are stressed. If this is the case, give her lots of extra love and support.

What happens when she has an accident? Is she getting some extra attention from you when this happens? If this is causing you stress and she is getting attention for this, stop. Don't let her know that you have and issue with this. If you insist, she will resist because she is in control. When she has and "accident," don't give it much attention. Say "It looks like you need to change." She can remove her wet clothing, rinse them out, put them in a bag in the laundry, clean any wet area, and put on dry clothing. It won't take her long to learn it is much easier to use the bathroom.

Children will also resort to having accidents in order to feel powerful. Help her to feel powerful in positive ways by saying things like "You did that by yourself!" "You can run super fast!" "Look how high you can jump!" "You used so many colors on your painting." These phrases are great confidence boosters, are great ways for you to show love and attention, and great ways for her to feel powerful in a positive way.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

Answer 2

My youngest turned 3 last January and potty trained at that same time. He was fully potty trained from January through April and then started peeing in his pants ALL THE TIME. So for four solid months there were no issues then suddenly he was peeing in his pants all day. It is now December and we have yet to fix the problem. He had to go back to pull ups. He will be four in less than a month and there is no sign of him stopping the pants wetting. We've racked our brains looking for a trigger. Why? Why did he revert? There was no major issues at that time. I stay home with the kids. They aren't in daycare. We cannot figure it out. The only thing that we think it MIGHT be is his way of having some feeling of control or power. He is a very hard headed kid. As for fixing the problem--we've tried everything under the sun. We've bribed him. We've used positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement. You name it, we've tried it. He wanted to go to preschool. The deal was he had to use the potty. Didn't work. He now wants to sign up for taekwondo so he can be in the same class as his older brother. The deal is he has to use the potty. That isn't even working and he really, really wants to do taekwondo. And he is a very smart kid. He is 3 and already learning at a first grade level. I homeschool but I'm not strict. In many ways the kids lead their own learning. But you'd think a 3 yr. old kid at his level would have no problems using the potty but he refuses. We've all but given up. I fear he'll still be doing this a year from now. :(

Answer 3

It has been my experience with children that if they start wetting or dirtying their pants when it is not their normal behavior it can be a sign of sexual abuse. Bed wetting is a sign also... Although there are other emotional reasons for these things to happen, it's always wise and cautious to keep an open mind and watch for signs of abuse. My daughter was molested at the age of 3 by my husband (now exhusband). I never dreamed in a million years that he would do something like that. But after I learned much more about behaviors of molested children and their predators, I now see the signs that I ignored unknowingly. I pray this is not the cause of her accidents. In no way is your daughter liking wetting her pants. No child does. It is always a sign of emotional stress. Some children can be very stressed by simple things like losing their favorite toy. What ever it is, it is unlikely that your daughter knows why she is doing it. And in no way should she be punished for it. Some children are able to stop doing it by basically being bribed. You can offer her rewards everyday that she does not wet her pants. If that doesn't work then you know it is a more serious problem. Good luck figuring it out and God bless!

Answer 4

Has there been something in the last little while that is bothering her? Anything could trigger regression behavior in little ones. It could be for attention, it could be that part of her routine has become different, or it very well could be a bladder infection. Get it checked out if it continues.
Think about what has happened in the last couple of weeks that may be upsetting her? Did someone change or lose a job, is there a move coming up, a divorce, separation, pregnancy, different babysitter, any other sources of stress that you could pinpoint?
Usually when there is no obvious reason, there could be a medical one. Bladder infections in the early stages could be symptomless. No pain when peeing, no blood etc. If you can't nail down any other problems, go see her doctor and get her checked out for an infection. Good luck...and God Bless

Answer 5

If there is a change in the house (ex. boyfriend or husband left, moved to a new place etc.) that could be the cause. I hate to say this but it also happens to kids who are being sexually abused. Any type of stress of sudden change could bring this on. To deal with it I would buy some goodnights diapers ( I know you hate to do it) and have her wear them. Ask often if she has to use the potty, and I wouldn't give her anything to drink after 7pm. Make her go to the bathroom before bed or if you are going anywhere. Also talk to your child in their terms and ask if anything is bothering them. Hope it helps

Answer 6

It is't that uncommon, and there could be any number of reasons for it. She could be doing it on purpose, to gain your attention...or it could be that her attention span has gotten longer and she just doesn't want to stop what she is doing long enough to use the potty. Try to keep track of when this occurs every day...is it always around the same time, is it when she knows you are busy with other things? See if you can see a pattern at all, and perhaps ask her more often if she needs to use the potty.

Answer 7

Is she in preschool--maybe something has happened there. Has there been a lot of changes around the house? She could just not be dealing with a stress issue very well. I'd not get angry with her, if she's "stressed" about something that will make it worse, just reassure her that she's a big girl and that big girl's use the potty...I'd take her to the doctor to be on the safe side.

Answer 8

have you recently moved, started a new relationship, had another baby, etc? if so, that extra "stress" is probably causing it. just try and keep her on the "pot" and it will work its self out if it is a stress problem. when children are introduced to new situations, they are more likely to regress, especially with potty training.

Answer 9

a three yoear old doesnt really have genuine bladder control yet. be patient thats alright. you can check for possible stress in school or at home. too much play, fluid intake in the evenming could be avoided

Answer 10

Any major changes in your house or her life? She could have a bladder infection.....does she go to school? Could be something at school or daycare. I would definitely talk to your pediatrician about it