what alternatives to expensive Drynites?

A question about : what alternatives to expensive Drynites?

My 4 year old son is not yet dry at night so we rely upon the use of Drynites for his comfort and to save on constant laundry etc etc.
The darn things are just so expensive though.. are there any alternatives that won't break the bank?? Any of the other pull-up types seem to be so expensive, why?! (We tried a cheaper alternative a while ago but it didn't do its job properly at all which was kind of disastrous )

PS-: I am a single father and my son has been through quite a traumatic time for a few months and also has severe nightmares/night terrors which we are working through so the standard time frames for his development in this may be a bit off kilter for now before any one starts to shout at me

Best answers:

• Have you given a few different types of own brands a go? I bought a single bed washable stay dry pad for my son. You could use one under the bedcovers while you try out some cheaper options? (We use it for nappy free time as my son is still little). I bought it from an incontinence shop on fleabay. Slightly depressing that I now get an incontinence newsletter now though, haha If that's a picture of your boy in your avatar he's a cute one!
• thanks for this Lara, that's not a bad idea at all-
  LOL @ the newsletter though, won't be able to look the postman in the face again
• We only ever used the Liddle own brand ones. They hardly leaked. Plus we kept him in onesie jammies so he doesn't get access and makes it point the wrong way IYKWIM, which helped a lot.
  You also get disposable bed leak sheets about 1.5 feet square (not sure what they are called, but I think they are unfortunately in the breast feeding, maternity pad section of supermarkets).
• Have you tried anything with him? Just a question, not a go.
  I used to get my lad up again when I went to bed and sat him on the po. That got him dryer and dryer for the morning. At the same time I used the mattress covers as mentioned above
  Obviously the protectors only really work if he does have the occasional dry night otherwise you are stuck with the laundry problem.
  Hope it works out for the wee fella.
• Try if you can to stick with not putting Dry Nites on him, and having a change of sheets at the ready, even with the extra washing, it will work out cheaper for you in the long run.
  I made the mistake of Dry Nites for one of my 5 kids, and it cost me a fortune, had I stuck with gritting my teeth and just doing washing every day, it would have shortened the whole experience, as I found out when I finally changed tactic and bought a couple of cheap sleeping bags, and a waterproof fitted sheet for under the normal fitted sheet, I just stuck the washing in the machine in the morning, and hung it up, ready for the next night, then put the new sheet and sleeping bag on the bed.
  I made sure that the sleeping bags I bought were the quick drying synthetic ones rather than the cotton type, as they dry quicker.
  I think the whole lot cost less than a months supply of Dry Nites, and within a couple of months my child was dry. It does cost more if you add in all the washing, I suppose, but often does shorten the process of them getting dry.
  I think that children can learn to rely on the fact that they can wet the Dry Nites without too much discomfort, not so the sheets, so they tend to learn more quickly to go to the toilet or call out to ask you to take them.
  I think this learning process might go towards helping your son to gain well needed confidence in what he can do, with lots of encouragement from you when he is successful and no comments or an 'ah, never mind,next time' when he is not.
  I am really sorry that your little boy has had a rough time, but I am sure that with your loving support and perseverance he will work through his nightmares, it's never easy with children's difficulties, and very stressful, in my experience too, it hurts to see your child in pain, or worried and upset, when you just want to be able to instantly put it right for them, and you sometimes just can't, but somehow you get through and there honestly will be light at the end of the tunnel, and often just when you think it will never come.
  I myself, with my sister, was brought up by a single Dad, over forty years ago after my Mum left us, his patience and love knew no bounds, despite some very tough times for him, be assured that you're doing a great job, the reward will be a well adjusted, happy boy who loves you to bits.
• Poor little guy! My 4 year old has occasionally had accidents, but it must be tiring to go through it every night. He is probably suffering from lack of sleep too if he is not getting a full night's sleep each night.
  I don't think disposable nappies really solve the problem though. They make it too easy for the child to pee in the night and have it not affect them. Yes, they are comfortable for him and reduce the laundry, but the downside is that you have to keep buying them!
  I'd suggest cloth nappies, but they can be expensive to buy, maybe see if anyone you know uses them and would be willing to lend you a couple? They only need washed in the machine like towels, and you probably won't have to deal with poo. The wetter feeling could encourage your son to use the toilet more.
  You could also try persevering with nappy-free nights. Put two sets of sheets on the bed - a flat/fitted sheet or whatever you normally use on the mattress, then a full waterproof cover, and another set of sheets on top of that. It means you have less to deal with in the night as you just pull off the wet sheets and the bed is ready to get back into (another waterproof sheet under that first set, against the mattress, may be a good idea if you think your son might pee again before morning.)
  From what I've heard, waking a child up when you go to bed, to get them to pee, can backfire too. Even if they do go then, you'll end up with that routine. Part of toilet-training is recognising the need to go, and getting there in time, as well as training the bladder to hold the wee in for long enough at night.
  Never stress over a wet bed, it never helps. If he manages a dry night, remember to praise lots in the morning!
  If he has had a rough time recently and having nightmares then he is less able to control his bladder anyway, that should pass in time, with patience and love from his parent(s). Even children who have been trained for a long time can still suffer bouts of bedwetting if they are going through a stressful time. You can also ask your son's health visitor for advice and support.
• Our five year old uses washable nappies at night. When little ones body is ready for dry nights they will produce more ADH, you have to let their body develop at their own rate for dry nights.
• For various reasons my son occasionally had accidents and has only recently stopped. I found getting him up didn't help at all for reasons already explained in another post.
  I didn't like the idea of dry nites etc as it would have cost a fortune and would have been a bit expensive for something that wasn't needed every night.., plus less of a learning opportunity.
  I purchased a good quality non plastic feel waterproof sheet, and a couple of sheets. Quick change when needed and lots of reassurance for my son. Quick 30 minute wash soon sorts the laundry out.
  I have a downstairs toilet and have found its helpful to keep a non bucket looking bucket in the bedroom (purchased on ebay.., looks like a tall plant pot with a lid).
  It did resolve itself in the end, but took some time.