Should I make my 5 year old nightly bedwetter responsible for changing his own diapers?

Question

I have taken away any diapers during the day from my 5 year old even though he will wet his pants. But I have him in diapers at night. He wets every night no matter what. I do not use pull ups as he wets too much and they always leak. I use cloth diapers and plastic pants which work. But he will still ask me to change him at night and in the morning. And I put them on him at night before bed.

Do you think he is old enough to take responsibility for this and change himself and get dressed before bed himself. I really think he can do it because I do not use diaper pins. And what should I have him do?

Answer 1

Personally I would.  He may like that feeling of being your  baby boy, so at night, he wets himself so he gets that attention.  My mom told me that idea.  My 3.5 year old step son puts on his own pull up (I open it up first so it's like underwear for him) and takes it off in the morning.  For attention, I give him big boy attention.  if he wets his pants and it's not by accident (b/c he didn't feel like getting up out of bed, or stop watching tv, or to stop playing), he changes it.  If he's sick, we'll change it, b/c chances are he can barely do anything on his own anyways. To conquer night time wetting, we associated a diaper with his 1 year old baby brother (his mom's other son to another man).  He quickly decided he would stop wetting his pants.  In fact, if he wets in his pull ups at night or in his bed, he gets upset with himself.  Teach your son that accidents are ok, but wetting like that is not.  

Also, check with a doctor about any problems he could have.  We also have a cut off drinks at supper time.  If either child wants something before bed they can have a sip of water and we now rarely have a wet pullup and my step daughter hasn't had any accidents at night at all in 2 years.  

I wish you luck and hope I was of some help :-)

Answer 2

He is old enough to learn

Have you brought him to the doctors to see if this is a medical reason?

there are many things you can do to try to overcome this and you dont want to wait till he gets older

Answer 3

He is old enough to change himself.

This will help him take responsibility of his bed wetting.

You can also try cutting off fluids 2-3 hours before bed time.

Make sure he's plenty hydrated durring the day.

I would also show him how to change sheets,and where they belong when they are dirty (laundry basket ect...)..

He's not too young.

Answer 4

I think he's old enough... Is there a medical problem he's 5?

Answer 5

Take him to the doctor to make sure there is not a medical problem for his difficulty in potty training.

Try a large pamper  INSIDE the pull ups for more absorbancy.  It prevents leakage.  

I don't think he is old enough to put on a cloth diaper.  It sounds like punishment to have him put diapers on himself.

Answer 6

Absolutely

Answer 7

I dont think diapers are the way to go... maybe pull-ups... but try cutting off liquids like 1 1/2 to 2 hours before he goes to bed and instead of disciplining him for going in his pants... congradulate him for going in the potty.

Answer 8

First, it is a night time bed wetting is a developmental issue. It is common for 5 year olds to wet themselves at night.  My 4 year old puts his pull up on and takes it off in the morning. Yes, your son is old enough to change himself.

Answer 9

Try to help him be responsible for putting them on and changing them, but be there to assist with the process.  Perhaps start by having him put on the plastic pants once the diapers are on and secure.  Explain it all to him and make him comfortable with the fact.  Tell him other kids do it to and they wear diapers and plastic pants and so he should not feel bad or ashmed about it.

Yes diapers and plastic pants do work as I have one in them also.  They work quite well so long as the padding is right.

Answer 10

My niece will be 3 in two months. She puts on her own diaper before bed and puts on her big girl underwear in the morning. I think if you aren't using pins and he understands how to do it, he can do it. It isn't hard to learn.

Answer 11

you should tell him to do it himself. hes old enough.