5 1/2 Year Old Keeps Having Accidents!

First, I would take a breather. I know it can be frustrating but it sounds like she really can't help it and it also like she feels bad about it. Most kids are unaware that they may not always have the best hygeine (hence reminding them to brush their teeth, wash their hands, etc) My 9 year old step daughter has had accidents every now and again when she can't make it to the bathroom and has also expressed the wet feeling in her underpants after she wipes. I always have to remind her that she needs to slow down and take the extra time to wipe, use a little more toilet paper if she needs to and when she's done pull up her pants and if it still feels uncomfortable, wipe again. From what you said, it doesn't sound like that has been working. My other suggestion is to see if you can get her to practice some "kegel" or other bladder control exercises. Here is a link that has some more information. I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck! http://www.bladderdisorders.info/articles/bladder-treatme...

Sounds like it could be jealousy or possibly a medical issue? If she has not seen a doctor lately, maybe now is a good time to schedule a visit. Good Luck

Take her to your family doc and get refered to a urologist. We saw Dr. Durkee at Childrens Hospital in Milwaukee where my daughter had two bladder surgeries. Most kids have a small bladder and cannot always hold it or their bladders become incontinent. If there is dripping this could be a fistula which is a condition where there is leaking of urine. It is best to get it checked out.

Hi N....

My daughter did the same thing before she started school. I was told by many that even though she didn't appear to be nervous about school, thats what it probably was?? It didn't last very long and I rewarded her by taking her "school" shopping.
Good Luck!

~J.

Hi N.
I think you need to have this checked by a dr. T.

Take her to the doctor to make sure she does not have a bladder infection.

Have you brought her to the doctor or urologist for this? I had the same issues when I was growing up. I was always "dripping". I tried to wipe better or go more often but it didn't help. It was highly embarassing for me. This actually continued until I was 18. Of course, early in middle school I started wearing panty liners so everyone else didn't know about my problem. When I was at the doctor for a physical prior to a college sport I finally swallowed my pride and told the doctor about my "dripping". Long story short, I had a 3rd kidney with a ureter that bypassed the bladder muscle and caused the constant "dripping". I know my case was rare. The urologist said it was only the second time in 26 years he had seen it. But my point is, I lived for 18 years embarassed and confused why I couldn't "hold it". If only I had spoken up sooner! So perhaps there is a medical justification for her "dripping", it can't hurt to check it out. Best of luck with your situation.

I don't have a child at this age but my neice was having problems with wetting, accidents, etc. There was some things that they needed to do behavior wise [reminding her to go to the bathroom on a regular, set basis so she always remembered, wiping front to back, etc] but there was also a medical issue.
I've also heard that diabetes can make you need to go to the bathroom often.
Not saying these things are applicable in your daughter's case but just suggesting to check with her Dr to see if any tests should be done.
I can't remember what was wrong with my neice but I think it was 2 things--like urinary tract infection & something with one of her organs (her kidneys??). Sorry for lack of details.

N. - there could be a medical reason for the dripping. Chiropractic care might make a difference for her. I know they can do a lot for bed wetting - it has to do with the nerves and the development of the spine and nerves. A good pediatric chiropractor can tell you if they can help or not. It's a different thought.

D.

My first thought was she may have a weak bladder and may need to have a check up to rule it out. I would going with the goodnites older kid pants would be a good way to help her not feel like a baby if it isn't something she can control. Hope this helps.

I don't know where you live but there is an incredible pediatric Chiropractor at Northwestern Health Sciences University (Former Northwestern Chiropractic College) public clinic named Dr. Ann Packard Spicer. She is incredible. She focuses on Maternity and Pediatric issues and is a mother of several herself. I saw her during a pregnancy and she has seen (and helped) both of my daughters (a 2 year old and a 4 year old). You may call the office at ###-###-####. Here is a link to the website where you can read about Dr. Spicer.

http://www.nwhealth.edu/natcare/bloom.html

Hope this helps....I know that you are frustrated but think of how you would feel if you just couldn't stop trickling pee. I am sure it feels yucky for your daughter and nobody wants to smell like pee either. Have her checked out and in the meantime until an answer comes just love and support her. She adores you, I am sure and there is nothing better than the comfort of a mother who just loves you and is there to help you. Keep up the good work.

Have you considered taking her to the doctor? She may have a bladder problem.

You don't say if this is a sudden onset, or ongoing issue. If it's something new, be sure to get her checked for a bladder or urinary tract infection.

Second, if it's an ongoing thing, you might already suspect an underdeveloped bladder or muscle control issues. I'd get her to a doctor for a consultation on what can be done to help her, if anything at all. She may have to just outgrow her problem. In the interim of getting medical advice, I'd invest in pull-ups for older children or even those bladder control pads for older adults, some flushable wipes (in the adult or toddler section, the adult ones are lightly perfumed to help with freshening) in a small package she can keep in her school bag or pocket. Most important, be patient and reassuring. It's bad enough other kids may tease her. Do what ever you can to help her through this tough time!

One last thought...there are some folks who smell like pee or maple syrup (no kidding) who actually have a systemic disease that's only detectable in urine. I saw something about this on t.v awhile ago. I think it was nick-named "Maple Syrup Urine Disease" (no-kiddng) but it does actually have a scientific/medical name...I just don't remember it. Do a search on the internet for pee and maple syrup smell and it might come up. It's a genetic disorder, and can be very serious if untreated. Maybe she's not dripping at all, but this is symptomatic of something else.

UPDATE: I FOUND A LINK ON MSD:

http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=maplesyrupurinedisease

Dripping urine and not making it to the bathroom are classic signs of a Urinary Tract Infection. Poor little thing. :-( You should take her to the Dr. immediately before it turns into a kidney infection and she is urinating blood. I would then make sure she is always wiping from front to back.

I have a 10 year old that was diagnosed with overactive bladder and bladder spasms at the age of 3. She was constanly wet and "dripping". I have dealt with that for 7 years now. Take your child to a Dr and have it checked. The sooner you realize it the better it will be. Rule out any medical problems.

I felt aweful after the dr's discovered her to have problems. From 2 til age 3, I was distraught. Putting her in timeout, talking with her. Very upset with her that she just wouldn't go to the bathroom. It was hard, i felt bad for a long time after because really, it was not her fault

So, rule out any medical things first. Don't wait!!! Keep us updated if you would. Thanks

Have you taken her to the doctor to have her checked for a urinary tract infection? If she takes a lot of bubble bathes sometimes that stuff can be very irritating and cause them. Certain types of bath soap with a lot of perfume in them can cause them also. Trust me they are not fun. Azo makes little kits that you can buy over the counter to test for infections, and they work. It's the same kind of test that the doctors give you. They are around eight dollars at Wal-Mart, and there is three test strips per kit. Good luck to you.

Have you talked to her pediatrician about it? I would first rule out any incompitence issues that she might be having. It may be an issue with muscles. I haven't dealt with this before, but I would talk to a pediatrician before scolding her anymore.

If she is doing this on purpose....put her back in pull ups....or diapers. You probably have a couple weeks before Kindergarten starts....so that she can deal with the humiliation of diapers at home.

Good luck and keep us posted.