7 Yr Old Still Has Pull Ups

My youngest has had problems due to chronic constipation and a desensitized bladder. Doesn't know he needs to go until he REALLY needs to go. Might want to spend some tracking on his 'bathroom' habits and then take this info to his pediatrician.

Having him see a doctor (urologist) is not a bad idea, but it's not that uncommon for some boys to take a long time before they have complete bladder control. A doctor will tell you if it's something he has control of or not. If it's something he can't control, there's not much you can do except to keep on doing what you're already doing and try to be patient with him.

I agree he could have overactive bladder or another condition, definitely talk to your pediatrician. Although it's not uncommon for 7 years old to wet the bed, this is the age where it seems the body grows faster than the bladder, but it sounds like you have something else going on.

Is it uncomfortable or painful when he urinates? This could explain why he holds it and doesn't want to go. I think all kids have those moments when they hold it because they are doing something fun, then have an accident, but this shouldn't be an everyday occurrence.

I'm sure your ped will have some ideas on this!

Have you talked to his pediatrician? I would make sure there's nothing medically wrong. Have you tried not letting him wear the pull ups anymore, even though that may mean getting up for some nights and changing the sheets and him? He may just need to go cold turkey. He'll get sick of wetting the bed eventually! I must say, I don't think you're alone -a friend of mine was kind of horrified when her son had several kids over to spend the night, and two of them were wearing pull ups and those special underwear pull ups. They were all 7!

It is essential that you have him seen by a doctor to rule out medical causes.

It isn't common but some children are not able to stay dry thru the night. Sometimes it's caused by their body not yet being mature enough. It can also be caused by stress.

After he sees the doctor and a medical/physiological reason has been ruled out, evaluate the stress level in his life. Perhaps, unwittingly, you and/or others in the family are a part of the stress. Find ways to alleviate some of it.

Why does he not go to the bathroom when it's obvious he needs to go? Does he have a physical or emotional reason? Is he developmentally delayed in other areas? How well does he co-operate with you in other areas? How is he doing at school? Perhaps a professional person, such as a pediatrician can help you make this evaluation.

Take him out of the pullups, wake him during the night if possible to go or put a padding on the bed to absorb the pee. All else fails, see the doctor to see if he has a bladder problem. If he nudges and do the dance, he definitely has the urge, but I would start by letting him get the sensation and practice outside of the pullups.

Unless he has a physical problem and really can't learn to control his urine, or bowels, or he is special needs and needs more time to learn, he should be potty trained ASAP!!! You need to get him some underwear and go over the routine with him. Set up a reward system for going to the bathroom and use a sticker chart. Have him earn ten stickers and trade them in for something he wants , such as a special lego set etc. This should not take too long if there are no extenuating circumstances. Good Luck! Don't give up.

I would have him checked by his pediatrician. He may have something medically that he cannot help!

If you don't already, he should not have anything to drink a couple hours before bedtime and of course pee before he goes to bed. Also, I would stop putting him in pull ups. He won't want to lay there in wet underwear. try that for a couple weeks.
If all that doesn't work, he needs to go to the Dr to have his bladder checked.

Have you taken him to a Dr. about this? It could be a bladder condition, or other medical problem. The problem could be out of his control.