#asktheexpert how to stop bed wetting at night time.

Question

Accepted Answer

Bedwetting (or nocturnal enuresis) in children is a common issue, especially at younger ages. However, it can be frustrating for both children and parents. Here's a guide on how to address and potentially stop bedwetting at night:

1. Establish a Bathroom Routine Before Bedtime:

Ensure your child uses the bathroom right before going to bed, even if they don’t feel the need. This reduces the chances of them waking up with a full bladder.

Encourage them to empty their bladder twice: once before starting their bedtime routine and again just before sleeping.

2. Limit Fluids Before Bed:

Reduce liquid intake in the evening, especially an hour or two before bedtime. Ensure that your child drinks plenty of fluids during the day, but avoid giving them large drinks right before bed.

Avoid caffeinated or sugary drinks at night, as these can irritate the bladder.

3. Use Bedwetting Alarms:

A bedwetting alarm is a device that senses moisture and wakes your child when they start to wet the bed. Over time, it helps train the bladder to hold urine during the night.

These alarms are most effective if the child is ready for the training and can be consistent with using them.

4. Encourage Daytime Bathroom Habits:

Help your child develop healthy daytime bathroom habits, such as using the toilet regularly throughout the day, even if they don’t feel the urge. This helps the bladder learn to hold more urine.

Teach them to wait until their bladder is full before going to the toilet, to strengthen bladder control.

5. Use Pull-Ups or Waterproof Sheets:

While it doesn’t solve the problem, using pull-ups or waterproof sheets can help minimize the inconvenience and mess. This can also help reduce any embarrassment your child may feel.

6. Praise and Positive Reinforcement:

Celebrate the dry nights with positive reinforcement and small rewards (such as a sticker or a fun activity). Avoid punishment for bedwetting as it can increase stress and anxiety around the issue.

Praise your child for efforts and consistency in trying, even if they’re not yet fully dry at night.

7. Monitor for Constipation:

Sometimes, bedwetting can be related to constipation. If your child has trouble with regular bowel movements, the pressure on the bladder can lead to bedwetting. Ensure they’re having regular, soft stools.

8. Encourage Self-Confidence:

Bedwetting can make a child feel embarrassed, so it’s important to keep the issue calm and not to make them feel ashamed. Let them know they are not alone, and that many children experience this.

9. Limit Stress:

Stress and anxiety can contribute to bedwetting, so try to identify if there are any emotional triggers (changes in school, home life, etc.) that might be affecting your child.

10. Consult a Pediatrician:

If bedwetting persists after age 5 or 6, or if it suddenly starts after the child has been dry for a long time, it's a good idea to consult a pediatrician. In rare cases, it could be a sign of an underlying condition such as:

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Diabetes

Bladder problems

Sleep disorders

In most cases, bedwetting is a developmental issue that children grow out of. Patience and consistency are key, and most children stop bedwetting as they get older and their bladder control improves.