PARENTING ARTICLES & TIPS

 Bedwetting - Preparing The Bed of a Bed Wetter

Diapers should become a thing of the past for children who are past the age of four, even if they are regular bed wetters. Diapers are likely to wreck havoc with your child’s self-esteem and also to thwart their motivation to end bed wetting. Instead opt for disposable absorbent underpants such as Goodnites that are specifically designed for bed wetting children.

Always encourage your child to use the toilet before he crawls into his bed at night and limit his fluids at least two to three hours before bedtime. Also decrease his intake of sugary drinks that contain a lot of caffeine. Sugary drinks include many types of juice and drinks filled with caffeine include soda pop, tea and chocolate milk.

Place an extra pair of pajama bottoms and/or an extra pair of underwear near your child’s bed at night so in case of an accident he can quickly change before going back to sleep. It also would be a good idea to tell him if he should simply cover over the wet spot in his bed with a towel or wake you to change his sheets. If it were the latter, it would be wise to have a change of sheets in close proximity.

Awaken your child at some point in the night to see if he needs to urinate. If your child is old enough to do so, have him set his alarm clock to awaken him at a certain hour so he can empty his bladder if need be.

Always praise and reward your child for dry nights and never give in to the desire to blame, ridicule or punish your child for behavior that is beyond his control.