So....After 24 Yrs of Parenting.............

**many houseapes** · 02-28-2010, 05:44 PM

I finally broke down and bought a few pkgs of Goodnights.Not really the most frugal thing to do, as I have always just washed everything the next morning after a bedwetting incident. My older 5 kids never had much of a problem....but with the younger five, I dread winter b/c its when it mostly occurs. The 13 yr old boy has almost outgrown it (took him to the dr.)...the 11 yr old boy, maybe 2X a week(has had 2 dry nights so far this week)...then the 6yr old boy has been every night for the last 6-7 months. It had come to the point that I was washing 2-3 loads a day...I was sick & tired of having to wash a bunch of quilts. For you moms that use Goodnights - how does the cost compare to your water & electric bills? Is it worth it, Or would it be better financially to just put up w/it & wash everything the next morning (this phase won't last forever

) Thanks

**NewLeaf** · 02-28-2010, 06:49 PM

My older son wet the bed every night until he was 7 yrs old. He inherited it from me. I also wet until age 7. I used goodnights for awhile and I also used a special pad that hospitals and nursing homes use in the bed. It is a quilted washable pad that goes on top of the sheet and helps keep the sheet clean. It doesn't always do the trick for boys however.

The Goodnights were well worth it for my sanity and for my ds's self esteem. * We reused if they were not wet in to help w/cost.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 02-28-2010, 07:09 PM

DS11 has bedwetting issues due mostly to his medication. He also didn't pottytrain until 7 because of his disability.

He'll go a week without doing it, then have problems for a few days in a row. It's intermittent, so that's why I bought a washable waterproof bed cover. We found that it helps, plus we give him a bath in the morning to help out.

I haven't really noticed an increase in my water/gas bill because since we converted a portion of the basement into a playroom, the costs have been up associated with that. I do experience lots more good days when DS11 wears the Goodnights, especially on trips to my inlaws. That's the only time that we use them.

I say that if you're going to use a washable pad on the bed, I'd get two. The cost will pay for itself compared to using the Goodnights. Keep two because when one is wet, you can put the other one back on and it'll at least help with your laundry issues.

In the summertime, we usually hang up the washable pad outside after it's been washed. That cuts down on the costs somewhat to dry it.

**Nana2two** · 02-28-2010, 09:57 PM

My Grandson is 6 and he still has accidents.Most of the time its because he walks in his sleep and just doesnt make it all the way to the bathroom. Now my 2 yo grandson seems to pee through diapers like crazy.
My son is autistic and he is not potty trained and insurance pays 100% for them if its a medical need. If you have to pay for them a size small which is 60 pounds to 90 pounds 200 count is around $60 bucks. Also check ebay .

**2ndGenGranola** · 03-01-2010, 06:58 AM

Goodnights were a life saver for us.

I'd also be looking into what is causing the problem. In our house it is allergies/sensitivities. We figured out DS #1 and #2 but are still working on #3.

Milk is a big cause of nighttime wetness. In many kids it makes the muscles "spasm" which causes the wetting.

Other kids it is the chemicals in the bed/bedding - fire retardants in jammies/mattress, chemical laundry softeners (downey, snuggles...), chemical laundry cleaners (tide, anything with a scent...). For some it is molds and even wood burning fireplaces.

I'd suspect chemical since you said it increases in the winter -- when the house is all closed up and the chemicals collect.

**nessarowdy** · 03-01-2010, 09:10 AM

That's interesting regarding the bedding and chemicals. DS still wets, and WOW, I am tired of it. Goodnights are horribly expensive, but what do you do? His self-confidence has not been compromised, and we can go about our day. I just feel like I am enabling him, although he says he truly can't help it. Who knows. Really looking forward to him growing out of this, though!

**rudypoo98** · 03-01-2010, 12:53 PM

Washing quilts wears them out fast so the Goodnights are probably a good idea.The bed pads is a good one too they have alot better bed pads than they used to.All the years I worked in nursing homes the bed pads got bigger and better quality.Hanging them on the line makes them last alot longer too.

**NewLeaf** · 03-02-2010, 09:10 AM

I think it is well worth it to use Goodnites or even Pullups if they still fit. As a child I wet the bed until I was 7 and I was so lucky that my parents never ever made me feel bad about it. I had an immature bladder and it could not be helped. Mom would even get me up ea. night before she went to bed and sit me on the potty to see if I had to go. I would still wet the bed......

So when it happened to my son I just went with it and didn't worry about it. It is hereditary and happens to boys more than girls. A childs self esteem is very important, so we just did what we had to do. We used pullups until they no longer fit and then used goodnites. We covered the mattress w/a plastic cover w/quilted fabric on top , put on a sheet and then the "pee pad".

One day when ds was 7 yrs he just quit wetting at night, just like me.
My younger ds did not have this problem. He had a few accidents but not like older ds.

You have to consider your childs feelings in the matter and your energy and sanity in doing so much excess laundry. This is just one of those times that being frugal comes second. You can still be frugal by using coupons, getting good deals and reusing dry goodnites.

If your child doesn't wet a great deal you could even try padded potty training underwear.(If it doesn't make them feel like a baby).

Just my 2 cents.