I want to limit my 3-year-olds fluids (nothing to drink after 7PM) so she'll stay dry at night, she soaks her diapers and I have to change the sheets almost every day. My husband says limiting fluids is cruel, that she'll get it eventually who is right?
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Former ABer
ANSWERS: 4
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I know a lot of parents that limit their child's fluid intake before bed. As long as you aren't taking away their drinks hours before bed there shouldn't be a problem. If bed time is 8 and you don't allow anything but maybe a small drink before bed after 7 then you're doing ok!
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As long as your three year old is not running around like crazy after 7PM either, she will be fine without fluids after 7PM. I believe limiting fluids in the evening is common practice for small children getting used to staying dry. We did it with our three kids. It would be cruel and dangerous to limit fluids at other times, but that's not what you are talking about.
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Try this instead.....as you go to bed, pick her up and carry her to the toilet...no lights on other than nightlights or whatever. Sit her on the toilet (or potty) and tell her it is OK...and to "go pee" (or whatever you say). When she is finished, pick her up and carry her back to bed. No conversation...no fussing....tuck her in and stay with her until she is fast asleep again. Takes about 6 seconds. My kids hardly woke...I had to hold them on the toilet or they would have fallen off! Got them through the night...and eventually they were able to wake up and go themselves, if they had to. If she is still in diapers... she is given'permission' to pee in them. As she relies less on her diapers during the day...she will become more tuned to the physical cues meaning.."go to the bathroom". If she is wearing diapers only at night...this method will work quickly.
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Depends. It's certainly not a good idea to give them cordial or soft drink close to bed time because they can be diuretic but it would be cruel to deny them a drink of water if they said they were really thirsty. Maybe the nighttime diapers aren't big enough for her. Usually the disposables should be absorbent enough so that the bed itself isn't wet. If she is a big girl for her age, try going up to the next size disposable.
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