4 Year Old Regressing with Potty Training

Updated on January 10, 2012
J.R. asks from Batavia, IL
4 answers

So what do you think? I have a 4 year old that was potty trained, but in the last few months, has really started to regress. She is having about 3 accidents a day. When we were doing the actual potty training process a year ago, we were going through a lot of transition-my husband came home after being gone for an army training for 4 months and then we moved to a new state. Because of this, she was never perfect with potty training-still having accidents a couple of times a week, but she pretty much had it down. Like I said, now it's a few times a day and I'm not sure what to do. I know stress can bring it on or it can be for attention. I have tried not making a big deal about the accidents-not giving it as much attention, I have just had her clean it up and that's it, I have offered rewards, and I have gotten mad. Nothing seems to be making a difference. Help!

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A.K.

answers from Minneapolis on

I wish I had an answer for you, but I do not! I can sympathize, though. My 3 year old was doing SO well for at least a couple of months, but we are back to multiple accidents a day too. I've been wondering if I should take him in to the dr. just to make sure everything's ok physically?

1 mom found this helpful
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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

Try not to get mad. It won't help. And it can make it worse. Just keep trying to not make a big deal out of it.

I'd remind her that it's time to go to the potty, at least once every 2 hours. That might help.

Dawn

1 mom found this helpful
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M.R.

answers from Chicago on

I would get her swabbed for strep- it can cause wetting. Get them to swab her throat w/a rapid swab AND run a 72 hour culture. My daughter has PANDAS, which makes her show symptoms other than sore throat when she has strep, and we didn't know it for years.

It probably sounds crazy that it could be a strep infection, but if you could catch it early and it's something simple like going on antibiotics to keep her from wetting, why not? Also, if it IS a strep infection (or even a UTI- definitely get her checked for that too!!!) then it definitely needs treated.

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D.V.

answers from Chicago on

Just another thought to consider, it may not only be emotional, but an actual physical situation. Don't get defensive and tell yourself, she doesn't get a lot of sugar, but look at it objectively. Make a food diary of what she eats and then note when the accidents occur.

Watch the sugar intake. Sugar works in a child, like alcohol works in an adult. ( the alcohol converts to sugar) The sugar weakens her muscle, just like a drunk, they lose control of their muscles.

Take a look at her sugar intake. For those more sensitive, it might even be the just a piece of fruit, bread or even pasta which converts. B complex vitaimins help the body turn food into energy . I've worked with bed wetters who when we put them on a BALANCED, COMPLETE B Vitain, and change the diet to less "sugar" foods and the bed wetting stops.

Im not negating the emotional aspect, it is just one more thing to look into.

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