Do you think it’s time to stop your kids from wetting the bed? For many kids, this process doesn’t start until they are school age. Other kids are ready to stop wetting the bed before they reach kindergarten. In my household the boys took a much longer time that the girls did. Madison at age 3 is fully potty trained, has been for quite some time now and can go to bed without wearing diapers. If you think your child is ready to start the process, here are a few tips you can use to help them stop wetting the bed at night.
Monitor Drinks
The more your kids drink before bed, the more likely it is that they’ll need to use the bathroom. This means that they’re also more likely to wet the bed. In order to stop your kids from wetting the bed, start monitoring drinks, especially before bed time. Set a limit for the amount of drinks your child can have in the evening and try to eliminate sugary drinks during this time. About an hour or two before bed, eliminate drinks altogether so that they have enough time to process their drinks and use the bathroom before laying down.
Set an Alarm
Many times, kids wet the bed because they don’t realize they need to use the bathroom while sleeping. You can help train their bodies to wake up at the appropriate time by setting an alarm and waking them up yourself. Start by setting an alarm about halfway through the night and make your child use the bathroom at this time. If your child is dry, then this is a great time to continue setting an alarm. If they are already wet, you’ll want to set your alarm an hour earlier to catch them before they wet the bed. Continue this until you find the perfect time to wake them up. Eventually, your child’s body will become trained to wake up independently so that you don’t have to set an alarm anymore.
Toss the Pull-Ups
Pull-ups are great for keeping your child from making a mess in the bed, but they can also contribute to the bed-wetting problem. Just like diapers, pull-ups are designed to pull the moisture away from your child’s body. They can hold a lot of fluids before they become uncomfortably soggy. Because of this, many kids in pull-ups don’t even realize that they’ve wet the bed until it’s too late. By tossing the pull-ups and sending your kid to bed in underwear, you’re allowing your child to feel the moisture right away, which can help them wake up and use the bathroom before making a huge mess. Be prepared, however, for a couple of messes before your child gets used waking up on their own. Make sure their mattress is protected with a cover. You can also place a towel underneath your child to make cleanup a little easier.
Talk to your Pediatrician
If you’ve tried everything and your child is still wetting the bed, don’t be afraid to talk to your pediatrician. Some children have small bladders and others can’t control the urge to urinate while sleeping. Because of this, your kids might need a little help from your family doctor. Your pediatrician can recommend a treatment plan to help your kids stop wetting the bed, including different medications that can help with the process.
Let’s discuss: When did your children stop wetting the bed? What did you do to help them along the way?
