Hi Leanne, firstly, my apologies for the delay in responding to your query. A return to daytime wetting can sometimes be the result of a urinary tract infection so it would be important to rule this out first. In saying this, it is not unusual for young children to experience ‘dribbling’ or wetting up until they reach school age. This is often due to the fact that they are so absorbed in an activity that they are reluctant to stop or are even unaware of the signs of needing to go to the toilet. Becoming a big sister can be incredibly stressful and it is not unusual to see children regress in behavioural milestones at times of stress. You can help her to get back on track by drawing her attention to those behavioural cues that tell her that she needs to go and empty her bladder. Reassure her that whatever she’s doing will still be there when she gets back and in fact she will be able to return to it quicker than if she had to go and change her clothes due to wetting them. If you think the change may be in direct response to the birth of your baby then you need to make sure you provide lots of love and reassurance so she understands she is as important as always. With respect to her nighttime wetting – the best indicator that she is ready to move toward nighttime continence is an increase in the number of mornings she wakes-up dry – until then you can just encourage healthy bladder habits by making sure she drinks water regularly throughout the day, adopts a diet high in fruit and veges and empties her bladder just before she goes to sleep at night.

Regards,
Dr Cathrine

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