Hey ladies. I need your advice and probably your support just as much as this is starting to get to me.
My 3.5 yo has been potty trained (outside of sleep) for a year until just over a week ago. The only 'new' change was me being gone for a weekend to see friends by myself. During that weekend her Dad's parents were up and it sounded like they all had a great time. During it, though, she had one accident she told them about and one I found in the laundry. Since then she's had an accident (predominantly defined as wetting of the panties prior to hitting the toilet) every day at least twice. Today, hit me since while I was getting her 5 mo old sis to nap her accident included hitting the floor.
I am aware of kids regressing, but usually it's because of a definite change like a new sibling, new school, etc., but this was me leaving for the weekend. One thing I have wondered about is her dad has been regularly traveling and i wondered if she mentally can not handle 2 parents traveling even if it's not at the same time. No matter, what am I to do now? Trying to be calm, yet need help how to proceed.
Thanks a bunch!
Thanks for the responses! I took her to the Dr. and discovered she didn't have any infection and he guessed it was due to her system getting tired of holding it and now letting go some. He told me to give her a baking soda bath for a few days and that would fix it. It didn't. It continued and initially I was non chalent (sp?) since I read you should not overreact at all. That didn't work for 3 weeks so I'm now incenting. I chose this since she simply didn't seem to care she was even having accidents. She's into putting coins into her piggy bank so everytime she goes potty she gets a coin. If she has an accident, though, she loses 2 coins. It's getting her to think about the potty and she's happier now so we're going to continue. We're only on day 2.
You really may want to get your daughter checked for a UTI, and you also may want to get her on a mild laxative (like Miralax). Our pediatrician said that if a little girl is even a tiny bit constipated, it can make it very hard for her to control the bladder, because there is more pressure on the bladder.
It may be that your traveling and the new baby are causing a regression as well, but the Miralax is worth a try. Good luck!
The regression because of a new baby has, as one of its underlying causes, a child's sense of being deprived of her parents' attention.Your traveling could have much the same effect, from her point of view, so there is definitely a possibility that your being away is a factor.
It's just as likely that getting out of her usual routine, having a distractingly great time, etc., has also contributed.
Assuming that your daughter communicates well and doesn't have any complicating issues like attention deficit disorder, I would suggest your checking out the book How to Talk So Kids Will Listen, and Listen So Kids Will Talk.
There are very few parenting issues that can't be addressed effectively. (You can read part of this practical guide to communicating with kids here: http://www.amazon.com/How-Talk-Kids-Will-Listen/dp/038081...) The authors demonstrate exactly how to help children communicate, identify their own emotional issues, and participate in finding workable solutions. Good luck. I've had very good results using this approach with my 4yo grandboy.
Hmmm, one symptom of a urinary tract infection (in a small child) is urinating before getting to the toilet. I'm not sure from your post if the accidents are all pee or not... However, it's possible she could have gotten a UTI from her grandparents bathtub-? Or, if she had a #2 accident (which you found in the laundry?) then perhaps that was how feces got into her urinary tract and caused an infection...?
Just wanted to mention it, as it may not be regression...
It could be a regression, but it could also be a growth spurt. My son was trained through the night very early, but every 3-6 months or so he would have 3 or 4 accidents during the night in one week. I finally figured out he would have a growth spurt and it was like his bladder just couldn't keep up with the rest of him. Finally, once he turned about 4 1/2, he started waking up and would take himself to the bathroom but it took him awhile to get to that point, we just had random accidents for awhile. So it's possible your daughter is in a growth spurt and she's just not responding to her "cues" to potty like she used to and is not able to hold it in. You may have to "regress" with her and make her go more often, even when she doesn't want to, and see if that helps at all.
I know that this may sound kind odd but I too regressed at 3 when my parents had my little sister. My aunt was helping out and took me with her to get my mom some new pj's at Victoria's Secret. I saw "big girl panties" and I swear to you, from that random stop on in, I was completely potty trained. I just said I wanted to wear "big girl panties" and my parents made clear of what I had to do if I ever wanted them. (Of course it was many many years until I actually got them haha)
Maybe along with the other training advice you could swing by a "big girl panty" area in a store. Hey, it's worth a shot. :)
