How to Stop Bedwetting - Helpful Tips
Bedwetting is a fairly common problem in children under 7 years old. It can be very frustrating for the parents, and embarrassing for the child. It is important to remember that bedwetting is not normally a medical problem, and it is usually not associated with psychological or physical problems. In the majority of cases, children simply sleep too deeply and do not feel the urge to go to the bathroom when they need to, and as a result they wet the bed.
Bedwetting will almost always go away on its own eventually. But there are some things you can do to help your child stop sooner. Here are some treatment ideas and general tips:
Don’t give your child fluids for two hours before bedtime. Let him have plenty of fluids up until that point, however, to prevent dehydration and constipation. While this may not completely stop bedwetting, it may reduce its frequency.
Make sure your child goes to the bathroom right before bed, and that he completely empties his bladder. Tell him to try again once his bladder feels empty, just to be sure. This is called double voiding. If more urine comes out, have him try one more time.
Some children’s bladders are simply too small to hold their urine through the night. Bladder stretching exercises may help in these cases. These simply require your child to hold his urine a bit longer than usual. If he generally goes to the bathroom at certain times during the day, have him wait 15 minutes or so before going, then increase the time slightly each week or so. This will take several weeks, and possibly months, so be patient.
Take your child to the doctor. There are some underlying problems that can cause or contribute to bed wetting. The doctor can check for these and treat the problems he finds. As a result, the bedwetting may go away on its own.
Use a bedwetting alarm. These have moisture sensing pads that go in the child’s underwear at night, sensing moisture when it first starts to dribble out. The alarm then wakes the child with sound or vibration so that he can go to the bathroom. After using an alarm for a while, children often become conditioned to wake up when their bladders are full, eliminating the problem.
Consider medication as a last resort. There are medicines that can help prevent bedwetting by slowing urine production or relaxing the bladder. They do, however, have potential side effects. Consider using them if the other methods fail, or perhaps keep some on hand to give your child for sleepovers or trips.
Avoid scolding your child for bedwetting. It’s not his fault, and scolding will only make him feel hurt and ashamed.
How my 8-year-old learned to stop bedwetting
I believe use of an alarm once a child begins to feel embarrassed and frustrated with bedwetting is a families best choice. I used the book, 7 Steps to Nightime Dryness to educate myself. Also get the children’s book, Prince Bravery and Grace - Attack of the Wet Knights for your child. http://www.braveryandgrace.com This book really helps a child want to try an alarm.
Then research alarms, we used malem. I suggest narrowing the choice to 2 alarms and letting your child make the final choice. Explain to your child that once you invest in an alarm, he/she must agree to use it each night. I even suggest writing a little contract which you both sign. Remember YOU must wake your child when the alarm goes off for at least a week or two - until your child’s brain is conditioned to wake up to the body’s signal. It takes patience but it is definitely worth the time and effort. My child went from wet every night for 8 years to completely dry every night within two months of consistently using an alarm. Get the books first -they are the key to easiest success. http://www.braveryandgrace.com Then get an alarm and be calm and consistent.