Hi Michelle – managing children’s bedwetting can be incredibly tricky, partly because we often do not understand the underlying cause and partly because there are so many mixed messages out there about how best to proceed. It is often helpful to keep in mind that nighttime wetting is mostly unconscious and therefore the kinds of techniques we used in training children during the day do not apply to the nighttime situation. You are correct in that lifting or nighttime waking is no longer recommended – this does little to help children to become dry on their own and often results in an overtired and cranky child (and parent!). Lifting at night means children do not get the chance to get used to the signals that the bladder sends to the brain telling them to wake-up and empty their bladder nor does the bladder have the opportunity to stretch and develop. One of the best indicators that your daughter is moving toward achieving nighttime continence is an increase in the number of mornings where she wakes-up dry. Until then it is perfectly fine for you to use DryNites to help manage her bedwetting and avoid the stress associated with dealing with constant wet sheets.

Regards,
Dr Cathrine

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