My 12 yr old ds was definitely on the later side for nighttime training, but using one of those alarms really worked when he was around 7-8. After about 2-3 years of not having nighttime accidents, it started to happen occasionally (like a couple of times a month). Since this past spring it’s picked up and happens about once a week. We monitor what he eats/drinks in the evening and try to stop all food/water by 8:00, although sometimes he will end up drinking some more water before bed. We have his annual ped visit coming up soon so we will be discussing with his dr. But just so frustrated that it continues.
Sorry, that sounds really hard. Is it an anxiety related? Doesn’t seem to be a physical problem.
This may be inappropriate so please forgive me for asking - but is it possible it’s wet dreams that he’s having? Has he gone into puberty yet?
I’ve definitely considered that but it’s too much liquid for that to be it, and sometimes I can smell urine.
awww..can you wake him very gently before you go to bed and have him pee then- like a midnight pee?
I would except I go to bed at 10:00, and he pees right before going to bed at 9:30. Maybe I could get DH to do it.
@PSM We had to do that for a while and one of us either stayed late or set an alarm to wake up around 12-1am.
Awww. Hope you’re leading with kindness and not frustration. We all have things about our bodies that don’t work perfectly. If it stopped before, something is triggering it. Anxiety? Stress? Fear? Good luck to dc. This, too, will pass.
We’re very low key about it, never scold or shame. We do remind him that it’s a good idea to limit eating and drinking after a certain time for many reasons, although sometimes it slips past us that he’s had a snack or some water later on. I’m sure the stress of these times is a contributing factor, although during the day he seems pretty happy and his normal self, although a bit more needy of attention.
I have 2 who wet the bed essentially until puberty but it never stopped and then came back. I might consider running this by the pediatrician just to be sure that it isn't something else going on. So glad you have approached without shame. It is so important. No one wants to wet the bed. Best of luck to you. Update at some point.
How did it resolve for your DCs? I have an 11yo who just now stopped wetting the bed and wonder if it will come back.
I knew from my families experiences growing up that generally with the onset of puberty the body starts better regulating the hormone that controls urine production at night. It didn't stop over night but was about a 4 month taper to a few accidents then stopped.
Just here to applaud you for being kind to kiddo. So many possible causes! See Sarah Silverman’s material on adolescent bed lwetting.
I have a DC who finally stopped wetting at 11yo. Limiting food and drink didn't seem to do much. We tried the laxative method, that wasn't helpful either. We were vigilant about bringing him to the bathroom around 12 and even then he may wet a little. I can't say what caused it. He just grew out of it and I can't say I can pinpoint what contributed, maybe just age. But one thing I regret is trying to go pull-up free too early, I think waking up wet was more damaging to him that just sleeping in a pull up. So maybe consider going back for the time being. So many boys wear them until 11-12yo, just convince him it's NBD.
I was so grateful to have my adult brother to discuss this with. He had really struggled as a kid. Being so dehydrated that his mouth was cottony and still waking up wet. He really encouraged me to just go with the pullups on overnight and wait for puberty. This is so much more common than people think. There are times that it is a sign of something else but if it is a long established pattern then likely less to worry about. There are some great resources out there that aren't just selling alarms.
@freckles I also want to add, we tried two different alarms and they did exactly zero for DC.