Enuresis is the medical term for nighttime incontinence. Over five million children experience this beyond the age of four. Bed wetting may feel lonely but it is very common. It is important to note that your child is not at fault for wetting the bed. The act of wetting the bed is shameful to most children so if the parent reacts as if it is the child’s fault that can only lead to more stress. One cause of bed wetting is stress so adding in more stress can delay the solution or make the problem worse for everyone. If you have a child who is wetting the bed on a regular basis you may want to purchase a cover for the mattress or have the child wear GoodNights or another brand until this phase ends. In most cases this is a phase and by the time the child is six or seven she should have dry nights.
What Causes Bed Wetting?
Stress: This could be something as simple as starting at a new preschool or as serious as parents divorcing.
Small bladder: Developmentally a child may have a small bladder which makes staying dry all night more difficult.
What Can You Do?
Make sure your child goes to the bathroom right before bed.
Cut fluids about an hour or so before bedtime. However, I have four children and cutting fluids or giving fluids did not change what happened during the night. I did have one child that wet the bed consistently if Gatorade was served during dinner. Connection? Maybe, maybe not.
Talk to your Pediatrician about a possible underlying physical or emotional issue.
Some have seen success with an incentive chart. However, keep in mind that wetting the bed is not a time to punish. It is possible to reward for a dry night could make a child feel worse and to blame if he wets the bed. You need to decide if this method would work on your own.
Do not make a big deal out of it. Let your child know that accidents happen. If this is the focal point of your child’s life it is possible it may make it worse.