Potty Trained 3 Year Old Having Accidents - Virginia Beach,VA

Updated on June 21, 2011
C.H. asks from Virginia Beach, VA
7 answers

My daughter who will be 4 in a couple of weeks has recently started to have accidents. I don't understand why. She has been potty trained fora year and a half during the day(still working on overnight). About 2 weeks ago she started having accidents during the day! It's so frustrating and we get upset about it because we know she knows how and when to go. This past weekend she had no accidents and we thought we were through it.....today she has two accidents. At our wits end and don't know what to do...any suggestions?

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S.R.

answers from Kansas City on

I think it is just a stage. My son has been day trained for over a year now. About 4-6 months ago (can't remember exactly) he started having accidents too. It only lasted less than a month and once it was over- he was/is back to being dry all day (except for the dribbles he will get in his underwear from holding it too long sometimes.)

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Kids, have accidents.
No child, is 100% accurate.

Night time dryness and/or nap dryness, is not something biologically attained, until even 7 years old. And this is normal.
It is about the body's physiological/brain and nerve development.

My daughter was 5, and still in night time diapers. Normal.
My son is 4 and still in night time diapers. And for naps.
Even if they were/are potty trained already.
Normal.

But they still have accidents at night.
My daughter, had accidents during the day time too....
IN fact, ALL of her Teachers- Preschool, Kindergarten and 1st Grade, said that kids these ages, DO have accidents. Normal.
They are young.

Kids, at this age, 'think' they can hold their bladder longer than they can. But they can't. Or they get distracted. Or don't want to stop playing just to pee. It happens at about 3-4 years old.
It is a learning curve, still, about pottying.
Even if they know 'mentally' about pottying.
Their body/biology, is still developing.

Kids have accidents.
It will happen.
It is not 100% accident free.
Even if they are potty trained.

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E.M.

answers from Honolulu on

Has she been drinking more water or asking for water all the time? could be diabetes...

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J.M.

answers from New York on

Hi there,
Does she have to go more frequently also? Complain of any discomfort?
If so, perhaps the pediatrician should evaluate for a urinary tract infection?
Good luck!

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J.B.

answers from Atlanta on

Accidents happen! Many kids go through phases of regression with potty training. It's normal. Keep positively reinforcing the potty. It's fine to let her know you're displeased, but don't punish potty accidents.

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P.M.

answers from Portland on

Accidents do happen. I recall wetting my pants at a party in high school – I had a lot of social anxiety and that always made my bladder hair-trigger. Now that I'm older, pelvic floor issues have created a need to get to the bathroom IMMEDIATELY if I feel an urge for either peeing or pooping.

But if there are lots of accidents happening, your daughter might have something she can say about that. How about engaging her in some pleasant side-by-side activity, and just asking her about it? And then ask her what solutions she can think of to deal with the problem. It is surprising how capable kids can be about solving their own problems, if given some support and coaching.

Find out more about this in the practical little book ow to Talk So Kids Will Listen, and Listen So Kids Will Talk, by Faber and Mazlish. If it turns out your daughter is truly puzzled about why she's not gettting signals in time, she may need to be checked by a doctor. There are sometimes underlying phycical reasons.

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