9 Simple Things to Stop Bedwetting

The following tips to stop bedwetting can be used preventively or may be used as an adjunct to other treatments.

stop bedwetting tips
Stop Bedwetting Tips
1. Motivate the child to get up to urinate during the night time.
Educate your child at night time to try to get up at night when they have to urinate.

2. Improve access to the toilet.
Install a night light in the bathroom. If the bathroom is at a distant location from your child's bathroom, try to put a portable toilet in your child's bedroom.

3. Encourage daytime fluids.
Persuade your kids to take a lot drink during the morning and early afternoon, and restrict fluids after dinner. Many children drink very little during the day and this causes their bladder capacity to be smaller than it should be. Lack of fluid during the day may also cause the child to be thirsty at night.

4. Discourage evening fluids.
Discourage your child from drinking a lot during the two hours before bedtime.

5. Empty the bladder at bedtime.
Even if your child says they do not have to urinate have the child make it a habit to try each evening. Older children may respond better to a sign at their bedsides or on the bathroom mirror.

6. Take your child out of diapers or pull-ups.
Although this protective layer makes morning clean-up easier and protects the bed, it can interfere with motivation for the child to get up at night to use the bathroom. A few experts think this may even prolong bed-wetting but no studies have been done to show this to be true. Use pull-ups or special absorbent underpants selectively for camping or overnights at other people's homes. Use them only if your child wants to use them. They should rarely be permitted beyond age eight. These absorbent products should be discontinued for a few months while the child is on the programs.

7. Protect the bed from urine.
Odor becomes a problem if urine soals into the mattress or blankets. Protect the mattress with a plastic mattress cover.

8. Include your child in morning clean-up.
Including your child as a helper in stripping the bedclothes and putting them into the washing machine gives a natural disincentive for being wet in the bed. Older children are able to do this job alone. Also, be sure that your child takes a shower in the morning so that he or she doesn't stink of urine in school.

9. Respond positively for dry nights.
Reward your kids on mornings whenever he gets up dry. A calendar with gold stars or happy faces for dry nights may also help children to stop bed wetting.