being dry at night

596 Views 2 Replies 3 Participants Last post by mamaduck, Oct 14, 2003

DharmaDisciple

Discussion Starter · Oct 12, 2003

My 3 1/2 yr old is still in terry nappies at night. When she goes to bed she says to me how she is a big girl now and doesn't need nappies any more- but I still put a nappy on and in the morning it is wet. How does night training occur?- do you encourage?

I don't want to be waking her up to use the toilet before I go to bed, as she needs to recognise when to go, and she is a light sleeper and I worry she will find it hard to get back to sleep. Though she is often awake around 4 am just recently, which may be due to her wet nappy.

So how do you do it? Do I put trainer pants on her, and encourage her to use the toilet? What age do they generally do this? TIA xx
~Amanda~

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kanpope

· #2 · Oct 14, 2003

Hi Amanda!
Most children will not fully potty train until they are both completely emotionally and physically ready. While she may be ready emotionally, her body may not be able to cooperate.
On the other hand, I would recommend taking her to the potty before you go to bed. In order for her to only use the potty, her bladder needs to be empty. I know of adults who have a hard time waking up to use the potty. I know that many times, I dream about having to use the bathroom before I wake myself up to go. Many children just do not have the same skills in the middle of the night that they would during the day.
If she is a light sleeper, make sure that you take her potty as the last thing that you do before yopu get into bed. That way after she is done, the lights are off and you are in bed too. As soon as she awakes in the am, take her straight to the potty. I do not think that you would be preventing her from recognizing when to go -- just the opposite. I think that you would be helping her to learn the cues for having to go to the bathroom even when she is sleepy. And you may help to create a bathroom routine for her - helping her to know the cues and remembring to go before bed and as soon as she wakes up.

HTH!

Love,
Nicole

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mamaduck

· #3 · Oct 14, 2003

My oldest is 7 and still not dry through the night. Even with waking him to potty every night and limiting his fluids at bedtime.

My 3 yo, on the other hand, has been dry through the night every night all on his own for a month now. We never did a thing to teach him. His body just knew.

I think it is 100% developmental and you don't have to do anything.

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