Steps you can take to help your child with bedwetting
As you wait patiently for your child to outgrow bedwetting, here are a few things the Mayo Clinic recommends parents do to help move things along in that direction:
Limit pre-bedtime liquids: While you don’t want to limit your child’s overall fluid intake – particularly if the weather is hot or your child has been particularly active during the day, in which case dehydration is a danger – you might try to shift the timing of your child’s total fluid intake during the day so that the bulk of it is not in the evening. In general, about 8 ounces is a good rule of thumb for evening beverages. Some experts recommend that children have about 40 percent of their liquids in the morning, another 40 percent in the afternoon – before 5 p.m. – and the remaining 20 percent after 5 p.m. But again, if your child has a sports event at night or is feeling particularly thirsty, those guidelines may need to be relaxed a bit.
Skip the caffeine: Caffeinated foods and beverages (cola, chocolate) increase the need to pee. Avoid giving them to your child, particularly in the evening.
Encourage a pre-lights-out bathroom visit: Even if your child has used the bathroom before changing into pajamas, brushing, washing and enjoying a bedtime book, encourage him to make one final visit to empty his bladder right before turning out the light.
Light the way: Remind your child at bedtime that, if he needs to pee in the middle of the night, he should try to make it to the bathroom. Leave a light or nightlight on to make a middle-of-the-night bathroom visit easier.
Encourage regular daytime bathroom visits: Remind your child, during the day and in the evening, to pee once every two hours, or at least before his bladder is full and there is a sense of urgency.
Alleviate constipation: Constipation can exacerbate bedwetting. Talk to your child’s pediatrician if you need help treating the condition.
Newsletter