To help your child stop wetting the bed

Nocturnal enuresis or nighttime urinary incontinence, commonly called bedwetting or sleepwetting, is quite common in school-age kids. It is an involuntary urination that occurs usually at night.

It is said that after age five, 15% of children will still experience bedwetting and boys are twice as likely as girls to struggle with this.

While it is important for parents to know that bedwetting is normal for kids under age six, here are a few things that you can do to help your child cope with this issue.

Coping and support

Use plastic mattress or waterproof bed cover to help contain the urine. This is easy to wash and can be changed quickly at night.

Do not scold or punish your child knowing that bedwetting is a common problem in kids. Punishing them can just make the problem worse.

Help your child overcome the problem by help your child understand that the responsibility for being dry is his or hers and not that of the parents.

Parents should monitor the child’s bowel movements as constipation can interfere in bedwetting. Call your pediatrician if your child has troubles with constipation.

Tips

Avoid giving your child anything to drink in two hours before bedtime

Do not let your child take sugary or caffeineted drinks at night.

Make sure that your child has easyaccess to the toilet or provide a portable toilet if possible.

Make a habit that your child go to the bathroom before going to bed.

Do not wake your child up to urinate at night as this won't help, instead, it will only lead to more sleeplessness nad frustration.