There is nothing like the great wee debate. Not sure if there is one, although we are having one in this little home. Keely is still rocking a nappy overnight. She is not liking it, and she would love nothing more than to give it the flick for good. For me, I agree with her, but on the other hand I am trying to explain to her that it is not her fault, her bladder is not talking to her head. I too have had that problem, although I think that more came with having children and neglecting those pelvic floors!
I was told she will grow out of it, and to go with the flow. There is no problem with going with the flow. But when you have a little girl that would like to give the nappy the flick, then you need to go with it. I am not one to have her sleep in a puddle of wee every night just to try and teach her brain the hard way. I personally believe that would be more discomfort for her, and I feel that is a little cruel. Keely would also love to have sleepovers, and she is feeling a little uncomfortable with how she will hide her "special" knickers.
I had this conversation with my ace friend, Nat Kringoudis from the Pagoda Tree on our melbourne date night. Instantly Nat put her hand up and she has agreed to help treat Keely. I am rather excited about what Nat has up her natural sleeve, and Keely is super excited, as she questioned this morning if I was a doctor! Love her.
Have you still got a bed wetter, and do you have memories of being one yourself? Do you have a way that you have beaten it?
My son was a bedwetter. He was a dream at 2 for toilet training and pretty much did it himself when he was ready, with no drama, but then night time was a different story. When starting school the health visitor said it was not considered a medical problem until age 6 and half. We never made a big deal out of it and used "Dry Nights" which are thinner than nappies. He happily wore them on sleepovers as they were barely noticeable under pj's. At 6 and a bit I booked him into the clinic at Queenscliff Health Centre. They were fantastic, we had to wait 3 months for an appointment but it was worth it. From the start the nurse dealt direct with my son. She spoke to him and explained the anatomy and what makes the bladder work and not work. The project was handed to him and he took ownership. He was only ever made to feel comfortable about the whole process. We had to spend a couple of weeks measuring input and output and times. After discovering he was not drinking enough, he had to start drinking a set amount throughout the day to expand the bladder muscles and teach them to hold more volume. He was then given an alarm mat for his bed, which sounds medieval, but it only took 4 or 5 days for this to have some effect. I couldn't recommend Queenscliff highly enough. In some cases the body just does not produce enough of the hormone that sends the message to the brain from the bladder, it is these cases that require medical intervention, but they are not too common and would be for older children.
ReplyDeleteHoping that you and Keely find the right path for her.
Best wishes.
Carmel
hi Carmel,
DeleteThat was Keely too. The dream toilet trainer at 18 months. I have really looked into the why's and it is a hormone issue. Keely is a huge drinker of water, and I have personally tried cutting back on fluids after a certain time. But when a little girl has something to eat and then asks for a drink, I kind of give into a drink of water! I am really looking forward to having a look at the avenue you went down. We are soon to start our little venture and I cannot wait to give Keely that sleepover confidence, and to also feel like she is like her brother, who is almost 3 years younger, and out of nappies a year ago.
Your success story is awesome! There is a lot out there with the whys, and what is the best approach.
Take care, and thank you for taking the time to leave your comment!
H x
We've just tried a spell of no night-time nappies in our house with little success. Olive is 3.5 years and it was my expectations that led us down this path, not hers! Sure, she'd had a couple of dry nappies in the morning, but nothing consistent enough to inform us she was truly ready. Taking her to the toilet at 10.30pm meant we had two nights when I was convinced it was a breeze, but other nights she'd already wet the bed by that time and did it again before dawn. We've gone back to Pull Ups but we will keep up the 10.30pm toilet visit out of interest. Olive is a very deep sleeper so I've been told by friends & family that she may be well over 4 years before it all falls into place...no harm in trying, though.
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Fleur
no harm in trying! I completely agree with you, and both myself, and Keely's dad tried. The puddle of wee in the brolly sheet was too much for her. The disappointment at her age is too heartbreaking. Taj was the same with his, he would have the dry nappies, and when he had them 4 nights in a row, I gave them the flick, and slipped on the brolly sheet. He has not looked back. Over 12 months I think there has been 3 accidents in his home here.
DeleteTake care, and all the best with your night time toilet ventures!
x
I am so interested to hear how Nat is going to treat Keely. And Carmel's comment was a great read too. Who would have thought that not drinking enough water could lead to bed wetting?! It makes so much sense though. I really felt for Keely reading about the sleepover bit. It sounds like it's a whole new ball game when our little people start to feel embarrassed and uncomfortable. I am sure once Keely's bladder and brain start talking there'll be no stopping that conversation!! Love Soph xx
ReplyDeleteSoph, like I said to you today, it is so interesting, and I cannot wait to start with Keely! Her dad is also 100% behind the treatment, and I cannot wait to change so much more in her life, then just the bed wetting.
Deletex
We actually solved the night time 'wee' problem when we stopped using night time nappies! A nurse at the childhood health centre explained to me that when kids use a nappy they continue to wee in their sleep because it's absorbed by the nappy and they have no reason to learn to stop weeing at night.
ReplyDeleteOnce they actually wake up to a wet bed a few times their brain learns to switch off the night time wee.
Of course there are always accidents but it worked for us.
The best thing we did was buy a "brolly sheet" which goes over the top sheet and tucks into each side of the bed. It means that if there is an accident you can just remove the brolly sheet and the rest of the bed is still dry.
Good luck!
thank you Katie! I did the brolly sheet with Taj, and he rocked it. Keely, however has a hormone issue, and it unfortunately will not fix the issue. We need to get rid of the underlying problem, and then there will be dry nights.
DeleteI have to say the brolly sheets are awesome. Taj had 3 accidents in his home here, and they were a lifesaver in the middle of the night. I cannot recommend them highly enough.
Take care, and thank you for taking the time to tell your successful experience x
Look forward to reading of Nat's approach. We have a late starter here too (5 almost 6).
ReplyDeletePeta, Nat contacted me again today about this, and I cannot wait to start! I will share the journey
Deletex
Do you not think your daughter is probably a little bit old to be publicizing this on the internet? What will happen when her school friends are able to read this blog and tease her as a result?
ReplyDeleteI believe that her friends will not tease her at all. She is a very liked and loved little girl, who I am teaching to have no fear in sharing things in her life. To be herself, and to be loved, and liked for being completely her is all I can ever ask for. If they take the time to read this blog, when they can, then they will be nothing but proud of the fact she beat this hormone imbalance. I have no doubt they have their own things to deal with in life, and if Keely's hardest thing is being late in wearing no nappies to bed, well truly this kid of mine is going to rock life, and rock it with a great bunch of friends.
DeleteI agree with Anonynous above. I think you need to think about tightening your boundaries around the kids. Their real names are here and they are growing older. I'm sure your intentions are fine but the children have a right to privacy too.
ReplyDeleteI think it is wonderful for Hayley to share on here and potentially help others experiencing this. It's nice to hide behind anonymous. If you are happy to share, then maybe you can share in the same way we all are? I can't imagine how hard it is for both Hayley and Keely.
DeleteThe intentions are great, and I am no way going to stop sharing our life. Parenting is something that should be shared, the good bits and the bad bits. I protect them in a lot of other ways, and their privacy is above all very much protected. I believe their life in this small little world on the blog is really quite small in comparison to other children's worlds. We are otherwise quite private people. We are far from being celebrities!
DeleteWe love our little life, and I won't stop sharing our ups and downs. Thank you for your concerns on the privacy of my children.
It's a pleasure to treat Keely and help her toward better health. It can't be easy for her nor for you as her mum - she is so lucky to have you. You are so kind to share on here because by doing so you may help other kids in similar situations. Lack of support and un-useful comments won't help anybody. I'm sure intentions are good - although sometimes unhelpful. Let's hop to it! xo
ReplyDeleteHi Hayley. As a mumma to a gorgeous 4 year old little lady who wears pull ups at night I want to thank you for this post. I had no idea what to do next to encourage the next part of the toilet ting process especially at night. Your candidness combined with the wonderful advice from others has been an eye opener for me. Thank you Hayley, your readers and all the love and luck for you and keely as you jump over this next hurdle. Have a fabbo weekend.
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