Age 3
"Holding it" and Wetting (3 years)
Around three years, children become able to control their bladders.
They may “hold it” or wet themselves due to an immature bladder or individual differences.
These actions are common in early childhood but will gradually disappear as your child gets older.
Your child may feel . . .
- The last time I wet myself, Mama yelled at me.
- This game is fun. I don`t want to go to the potty now.
I can hold it a little longer. - I don’t want to go to the potty; it’s too cold!
- I`m happy that we have a new baby, but Mama is always with the baby.
I’m a little lonely. - I have to go but I can’t say it because it’s embarrassing.
What to do
- Oops, you wet yourself. Let’s get you changed.
- You had an accident, didn’t you. That’s too bad.
- It’s no fun being wet, is it.
Don’t clean underpants feel nice? - When your child wets herself, don`t scold her, but talk to her kindly while changing her.
- Help your child become aware that being clean feels good without making her feel inferior for wetting herself.
- Don’t instill negative feelings in your child by forcing her to go to the potty or scolding her when she has an accident.
Accept your child’s feelings of loneliness and spend time with her (physical contact such as hugs and piggyback rides, listening to what she has to say, etc.).
※ Start teaching your child how to clean herself when she poops, too. Teach her to wipe from front to back.