It seems like he's treating it like a pacifier and is emotionally attached. If it's been a month and a half and he's not adjusted, then it doesn't seem like he's ready to let go of that comfort object yet. Can you reduce the amount of water in the cup gradually and start talking about how big boys have a glass of water next to the bed and not a sippy cup in bed? Many, many 5 year olds are weaned from the pacifier by bribery (swapping it out for a special toy or treat). If it bothers you and you think he's otherwise ready to night train, then can't hurt to try that approach.

Anonymous wrote:If he's still in a pull-up anyway, I would let him keep the water. My kids both night time trained themselves at age 2 (they're now 3 and almost 5) and I let them have water at night. If they're potty trained it's fine, and if they're not ready to overnight train, it shouldn't make a difference.

I was about to echo this. If he's still in diapers at night, and training isn't yet on your radar, then allow him to have water if he wants. He won't be going to college still in diapers overnight.

If he's still in a pull-up anyway, I would let him keep the water. My kids both night time trained themselves at age 2 (they're now 3 and almost 5) and I let them have water at night. If they're potty trained it's fine, and if they're not ready to overnight train, it shouldn't make a difference.

If you're not concerned about potty training just yet, then yes, if it were my child I'd trade an easy/better night's sleep in a heartbeat. That's the whole point of them being in diapers unless I'm mistaken.

Why not take him to the potty at 11/12 before you go to bed? Then he can have his water and start learning to stay dry at night.

My 5 year old still drinks water and still wears a pull-up overnight. He’s wet in the morning, I don’t care.

I would not deny access to water. My kid was potty trained during the day at 2.5 but wet the bed at night until almost 7, she was a heavy sleeper. In your situation with a 4yo good sleep is more important than being dry at night.

Is your goal for your child to potty train overnight? Then yes, remove access to drinks at bedtime (many parents stop drinks at dinner to help the process).

...for a 4 year old?

We actually stopped allowing a half-filled sippy cup of water at night, because DS is potty trained, but still in diapers overnight. I very strongly suspect that DS wasn't drinking out of genuine thirst, but more just to have something to sip on all thru the night (sippy cup was typically empty in the morning). Removing said cup has made bedtime that last month and a half very rough, as it was something he really loved.

Would you go back to allowing the sippy cup of water, and deal with slightly more pee in the overnight diaper? Or do we forge ahead with no drinks?