[francesruben]

<p>There are so many threads about pooping, but my main concern is with pee. My 4yo DD holds on to pee and when she does go she doesn't empty her bladder fully. DD has a lot of accidents as a result. I'm not worried about the wetting so much, but this has led to health complications. She has had a UTI (cystitis) for many months now and antibiotics have not been effective. She is being seen by a specialist who has recommended potty re-learning, but I'm afraid his suggestions regarding how to actually do this are fairly limited. He suggests drinking lots of water, going at regular times and hissing while peeing. He also suggests taking cranberry. We've already been doing most of this (and more- probiotics, d-mannose, homeopathics, low sugar diet) for months.</p>
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<p>I'm very worried about the long term effects of the infection and this is making me stressed when dealing with her- I feel like I simply cannot let her hold her pee in. As a result I'm constantly telling her to go to the toilet despite the fact that I know this is part of the problem. She has been very slow to potty learn and has often resisted suggestions to go- I'll admit I made some mistakes by continuing to encourage her to use the potty instead of just putting her back in pull ups for a while. By the time I did put her back in pull ups at the age of 3 1/2 the bad habit of holding on had already started. </p>
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<p>She is now out of pull ups during the day but has many accidents, although she has made some big improvements over the past month despite the infection. </p>
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<p>I'd love to hear if anyone else has had similar problems or any advice or support you might have to offer. </p>
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<p>Thanks.</p>

 

[3xMama]

<p>Yikes! Sounds like a really tough situation! Hmmm....I think I would try making the bathroom a fun place to be. Maybe get some stickers/paper/crayons/easel/paint/chalkboard etc that stays in the bathroom and can only be used while she's peeing or on the toilet. I would imagine she'd get into what she's doing, sit on the potty with her pants down a little longer, get more relaxed and then empty her bladder the rest of the way. Or after she's done peeing, but still holding, try doing a silly dance with her pants around her ankles and ends with her sitting back on the toilet to pee again.</p>
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<p>Does she empty her bladder if its her idea to go to the bathroom? If so, I'd lay off bugging her about peeing for a day or two. If not, I'm still tempted to say don't bother her about it. It sounds like there's a good amount of stress about the topic, maybe not hearing about it for several days will relax her about the situation. When its not such a big deal and she's not feeling so much pressure about it, maybe she could relax and pee naturally.</p>
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<p>Could it be that she never really learned or has forgotten what it feels like physically to empty her bladder completely? When my DD potty learned we let her run around without a diaper on so she'd figure out what was going on physically and then we'd take her to the bathroom to sit on the potty/clean up so she'd equate that physical feeling with going to the bathroom. Maybe your DD needs something similiar to relearn what it feels like. Again, I'd just try to ignore it and let her body do its own thing.</p>
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<p>I'd also be sure not to get upset/frustrated about accidents. Just handle them matter-of-fact not a big deal. Again, take any stress off the topic for her. (Not saying you aren't doing that, I don't know, I'm just inferring what I'd need to hear!)</p>
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<p>HTH and that your DD gets to feeling better soon!!</p>

 

[deditus]

<p>I really, really doubt she is with holding urine on purpose. I would teach her to squat to pee as this position lets the bladder empty more fully - maybe put a little potty on the floor that she can "hover" over. I know sometimes hands in knees position works well, too (in the bathtub, obviously). I assume she has been screened for structural abnormalities and has no signs of food  intolerance?</p>
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<p>I would also read some here about pelvic floor dysfunction and make sure she has good posture and strength - maybe she has weak core muscles or low tone that contributes?:</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.katysays.com/" target="_blank">http://www.katysays.com/</a></p>

 

[francesruben]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>deditus</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1281685/potty-re-learning-4-yo-not-emptying-bladder-fully-any-advice#post_16075884"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>I really, really doubt she is with holding urine on purpose.</p>
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<p>She often squats on the floor to hold on instead of running to the bathroom. I think this may be just a bad habit as she was resistant to using the potty for a long time and probably became self conscious. I think it has taken a long time for her to feel confidant at it, and she wants to do everything herself without my help or interference.</p>
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<div>I assume she has been screened for structural abnormalities and has no signs of food  intolerance?</div>
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<p>Not yet. We are waiting until January to have her checked for bladder reflux (no appointments sooner). The specialist and our regular doctor have not mentioned any other screens- is there anything you had in mind? Food intolerance is something I haven't looked into-  it seems like an obvious thing to consider now you've brought it up.</p>
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<div>good posture and strength - maybe she has weak core muscles or low tone that contributes?</div>
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<p>Another good point- I will look at this too. Thanks for the ideas.</p>