My son recently toilet trained during the day, but is now waking up at nights, crying for the toilet. I’m thrilled that he can recognise he needs to go, but I’m less thrilled about the interruptions to my sleep. Is there anything we can do to help him through this phase? I am happy when he sleeps through (even though he sometimes wakes wet), but worry that this means he’s learning to ignore his wee signals and will end up in overnight nappies for an unnecessarily extended period (his sister is five and still in night nappies).
There are a number of reasons why children continue to wet at night. Some do so because their body produces larger than normal amounts of urine overnight and their bladder is unable to store it until morning. This usually continues until the amount of urine produced decreases or children learn to wake-up in response to a full bladder. Others do so because they are unable to wake in response to the signals that their bladder sends to their brain telling them to wake-up and go to the toilet. The fact that your son is waking is a really good sign that he is able to respond to those signals sent from his bladder. As a working mother I know how tricky it can be dealing with broken sleep however it is important that your son knows you are available at night when needed. Talk with him about what he can do if he wakes and needs to go to the toilet. Is he too scared to get up and go to the toilet at night? Something as simple as leaving on a night light or putting a potty in his room can make all the difference. All the best! Kind Regards, Dr Cathrine
RELATED QUESTIONS
What age do children generally toilet train during the day versu...
Children are ready for toilet training at different ages, but the usual range is from as young as
How do I transition my son from night nappies. Very wet in the m...
Unlike toilet training, which is conscious and deliberate, nighttime bladder control is more depend
How can I get my children (4.5yr old twins) to stop having wet p...
Bedwetting at this age is considered to be developmentally normal with most medical professionals n
What age is best to start night time toilet training? My son is ...
As you probably already know – it is perfectly normal for a 3-year-old to still be experiencing uri
What age should you realistically expect a child to stay dry ove...
Children develop nighttime bladder control at different ages. Persistent bedwetting, that is bedwet
My son recently toilet trained during the day, but is now waking...
There are a number of reasons why children continue to wet at night. Some do so because their body
My son is 2.5 years old and refuses to sit on the potty or toile...
It is not unusual for children to experience regression during toilet training; they may start expe
Hi, My son is 4 years old, turning 5 next month, My son relies o...
Hi Melanie, the best indicator that a child is ready to achieve nighttime continence is an increase
Hi, my son is 3 and a half. He has stopped wearing nappies at ni...
A return to bedwetting can be the result of a number of different factors. While physical causes ar
My boy is just about to turn three. For the last year he were t...
Because this behaviour is occurring when he is asleep it is hard to change or control. Until this b
Hello, My son who is 3.5 has been leaking in his nappy over nigh...
The first thing to check is that his nappy is fitting correctly as improper fit can contribute to l
Hi Charles, in the US DryNites are branded as GoodNites. If you click on the following link http://
My little sister still wears nappys at night at age three is thi...
Dear Roxy, it is not unusual for children to continue to wet the bed at age 3 with many children no