I completely understand your desire to help your child achieve nighttime dryness before the birth of your second child. Unfortunately while children can be taught to control their bladder during the day, nighttime continence is a completely different story. The first and most important thing to understand about bedwetting is that it is not your child’s fault – this is something they have very little control over. It is also worth keeping in mind that she is still very young – at this stage we would not be expecting her to be dry every night with the many children not experiencing nighttime dryness until age 4. Be reassured most children your daughter’s age will outgrow bedwetting on their own as their bodies mature and become better able at holding on overnight or waking-up to the sensation of a full bladder. Until then you can help her by making sure she drinks enough throughout the day (this will help her bladder to learn to hold larger quantities of urine), avoid sweetened or caffeinated drinks and encourage her to eat lots of fruit and vegetables. Some children may wet the bed because they are too scared to get up and go to the toilet on their own – to avoid this make sure that she has easy access to the toilet and there is a light left on. It is not unusual for children to regress after the birth of a new baby – if this happens reassure her that she is loved just as much now as before the baby came along. Regardless how much pressure you feel for her to be dry at night it is important that you be as patient as possible with her. Good luck and all the best with the birth of your baby!

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