Helping Your Child Cope With Bedwetting

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Approximately 15 percent of children wet the bed after the age of three, according to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. If your child is currently coping with this embarrassing medical condition, there are steps you can take to make him or her more comfortable.

Bedwetting—or enuresis—is a common medical condition where a child involuntarily urinates during the night. Sometimes it takes a while for children to develop nighttime bladder control, and many will outgrow bedwetting as time goes on.

Be a Positive Parent

If your child wets the bed, it’s likely he or she is already embarrassed, so refrain from punishing your child. Other steps to reduce chances of bed wetting include:

• Cutting out sweets. Sodas and chocolate can increase your child’s need to urinate, so limit these items to the daytime.
• Limiting liquids. Unless your child is playing sports, limit his or her fluid intake to 8 ounces after 5 p.m.
• Planning ahead. If your child has a history of bedwetting, investing in a plastic mattress cover can help make clean up easier. Have fresh linens and pajamas ready in case of an accident.
• Taking trips to the bathroom. Ensure your child is going to the bathroom throughout the day. Also encourage your child to use the bathroom twice before bedtime.
• Stay Positive. If your child is really stressed or upset, take time to listen to him or her, since this could lead to nighttime accidents. When an accident occurs, don’t discipline him or her, and try to praise his or her efforts if he or she has been watching liquid intake and going to the bathroom before bed.

Sources: aacap.org, kidshealth.org