Bedwetting is extremely common among young children.
It’s not that your child is too lazy to get up and go to the restroom or that he is too stubborn or immature. It’s simply a physical factor that your child will learn to control over time at her own speed and comfort level. While your child may not wet the bed during nap time, his ability to contain a night’s worth of urine will depend on his bladder size.
Children are also in a much deeper sleep during the night than they are during the day. Remaining dry during the night will develop naturally as your child learns to understand her body signals. Here’s a few ways to help him along:
1. Limit drinks after dinner
Limiting your child’s liquid intake after dinner will reduce bedwetting, since his bladder will remain not-so-full. Caffeinated beverages should be limited in young children in general, and especially to reduce bedwetting. Caffeinated drinks irritate the bladder and make the kidneys produce more liquid than normal.
2. Form a habit
Get your child in the routine of using the restroom right before bed.
3. Take things to your child’s level
Consider putting a portable potty, accompanied by a nightlight, in your child’s room to provide ease of bathroom use.
4. Keep the reassurance coming
Explain to your child that getting up in the middle of the night to use the restroom is okay, and even encouraged. Your child needs to know this is a normal scenario for everyone.
5. No one likes a midnight wake-up call
Don’t wake your child to use the restroom—this doesn’t allow them to listen to their own body signals.
6. Above all, encourage
Offer words of praise, and simple treats or stickers on a completely dry night.
7. Accidents happen
You must expect accidents; they’re going to happen. You can toss the training undies after 6 dry nights. You can always bring them back if needed. Keep a plastic cover on top of the mattress until your child feels fully confident in using the restroom on his own during the night.
8. No shame!
Never punish your child by making her sleep in a wet bed. At times, this approach has a reverse effect and can cause them to revert back to old habits completely or have low self-esteem.
Dry nights are something you must have patience with and work toward with a persistent and understanding attitude. Think back to what it was like when you were potty-training. Everyone is different and some children need more encouragement than others. Happy training!
