Night time no nappy

[EmilyPie]

You probably have already thought of this but I read a great tip on here about night time toilet training which was to make the bed up in layers, eg waterproof sheet, bed sheet, waterproof sheet, bed sheet. That way you just have to take off the first layer in case of accidents. Obviously won't deal with the main issue but might help with coping with any night time wetting. And thanks to the genius forum member who suggested it!

[EmilyPie]

Ps good luck! Sounds very exhausting for everyone.

[susyp]

yes thanks someone told me that a while ago as well - i do it sometimes but havent tonight - i just have all the sheets and everything in one big drawer so it doesn't take so long - it is nice if you layer it up though - i've been known to do 4 layers ! it's just the washing that gets tome.

susypx

[Emski]

I think that 'holding on' and not weeing frequently enough during the day could also be a cause of UTIs. As can not drinking enough.

Also, does she know to wipe front to back, especially after a poo? Also a v common cause.

It could well be one of these causing the infections rather than night nappies. Then you could hold off the nighttime toilet training till she's more ready... Sounds infuriating. We tried briefly with our 4 yr old (who was potty trained at 2 and a quarter) - after a few interrupted nights we gave up and will leave it till she's keener.

For what it's worth, cranberry supplements and weak green tea always did wonders for my cystitis, but guess they're not something a 5 yr old would be keen on...

[sunbob]

Quite a long thread so I don't know if anyone has already mentioned www.Eric.org.UK

Its the national childhood continence charity and has lots of useful info including bedwetting pages.

Something it is at pains to emphasise throughout its info about night time wetting is that Children cannot help weeing in their sleep. You cannot train a child to be dry at night, it is reliant on various natural developments which happen when they happen. Still being wet at night up to ages of 6 or 7 can be completely normal and healthy.

[susyp]

thanks sunbob yes i have come across eric before, when we had no 2 problems! great website .

i don't mind her being in nappies it's just that she is ocnstantly (and i mean constantly) getting urine infections. Although she has come down with a stresming cold today which might explain some of her symptoms (although obv not the sore foo foo when weeing). I've put white vinegar in her last 3 baths now which does seem to have calmed it down - it's worked in the past . i might just make it her daily routine from now on - she doesn't seem to smelly to vinegary!

susypx

[Jen26]

Hi Susy,

We have similar issues with our daughter. Night time nappies mean soreness and infection but she's not ready to be dry at night by herself as yet. Things we've found have helped:

- no soap at all in any bath etc.

- sudocream nightly for about 2 weeks

- asking the GP to organise for a swab to identify the recurring infection (stage we're at and GP certainly wasn't suggesting it, we've been lucky enough to have advise from a friend who is a paediatrician)and getting the right antibiotics. It's apparently fairly common for little girls to have this kind of issue.

- what we thought were urine infections actually look likely to be a bacterial infection that's not urinary tract, but can make it sore to wee. Obviously you need appropriate medical advice on this.

Things I've found helpful at night.

Remembering it's the level of a particular hormone that keeps them dry at night, not what they try to do. It's called ADH - anti diuretic hormone, I think. Some kids don't have enough of that hormone until they're older (6 or 7).

Bedtime is 7.30/8pm. No drinks after 5.45pm but this relies on being well hydrated in the rest of the day. I'll give her a big drink a little while before dinner and just a small cup of water with her dinner which she often doesn't finish. I'd never deny her a drink if she's thirsty but if she drinks plenty after 6 we do use a nappy - it's pretty rare now. We lift her to wee at 10.30pm. She barely wakes but this usually means she's dry for the rest of the night. If we didn't have the infection issues I'd be sticking with pyjama nappies until she was ready..

Layering the bedding - as others have suggested.

[Anna M]

Thank you sunbob!

[esme]

Has anyone tried re-usable pull ups at night? Have mattress protector but he's prob not quite at that stage yet so don't fancy changing wet bedding daily!