Help with Potty training

My 4 yr old still wets the bed at night. He NEVER wakes up dry (he
wears pull-ups). We've tried not letting him drink after 6 pm and
waking him up around 12 or 1am to go potty, but he STILL wakes up wet.
Do you think this is emotional or he'll grow out of it? I'm totally
stumped... anyone have experience with this one?

Hi --

Staying dry at night isn't under a child's control. It depends on body
development and, in particular, the development of a particular hormone
that keeps the bladder from filling at night.

Children become physically able to stay dry at night at different ages.
4 to 5 years of age is very common for night dryness, but MANY children
can't stay dry at night until the ages of 8, 10 or occasionally even
older.

Stay in touch with your ped. about this, but don't worry about it for
several years yet.

--Beth Kevles

http://web.mit.edu/kevles/www/nomilk.html -- a page for the milk-allergic
Disclaimer: Nothing in this message should be construed as medical
advice. Please consult with your own medical practicioner.

NOTE: No email is read at my MIT address. Use the AOL one if you would
like me to reply.

Emma wrote:
My 4 yr old still wets the bed at night. He NEVER wakes up dry (he
wears pull-ups). We've tried not letting him drink after 6 pm and
waking him up around 12 or 1am to go potty, but he STILL wakes up wet.
Do you think this is emotional or he'll grow out of it? I'm totally
stumped... anyone have experience with this one?

Most of the time, this is simply a matter of maturity.
He'll get there when his body develops enough that he can
stay dry at night. There are specific physiological processes
that mature at different times in different kids that govern
whether they are able to stay dry all night. For some kids
(boys in particular), it can take years before this happens.
It is, of course, *possible* that he's had some sort
of emotional trauma or other issue that is causing this, but
really, by far the most likely explanation is that he just has
to mature.
Just relax. He'll get there. You might ask his
doctor just to verify that everything else is fine, but
be wary if the doctor seems to think that him not being
dry at night at four years old automatically means there's
a problem that needs to be solved now. Unless there are
other issues or some clear indications of trouble, I
likely wouldn't be willing to put him through any invasive
tests or medications.

Best wishes,
Ericka

Thanks all of you. I will ask his pediatrican at the next appt. Until
than I'll deal with the stale smell of urine every morning :/
em

"Emma" wrote in
oups.com:

Thanks all of you. I will ask his pediatrican at the next
appt. Until than I'll deal with the stale smell of urine
every morning :/

put him in pull ups at night. if they're leaking, go up a size.
my 6YO isn't completely night dry yet either, but neither he nor
his room smell of urine (& i have a sensitive nose).
lee