5 tips for managing bedwetting

It is important to remain cool, calm and collected during the bed wetting stage. In the hopes of making the entire process a little easier on your child and you, here are a few tricks to help with managing bed wetting.

1. Encourage your child to drink water regularly throughout the day (it is OK to taper off slightly in the evenings)
2. Ensuring bladder and bowel are empty before bed
3. Using plastic under sheets to protect the mattress
4. Look into a bed wetting alarm
5. Use DryNites pyjama pants to absorb the accidents and reduce waking up in wet sheets

There are also a number of treatments for bedwetting. However the best known ‘cure’ for bedwetting is time. Some parents, especially those of older children, look for alternative strategies and treatments to help their children to become dry at night.

When you seek medical advice for treatment options, the information below can help you have a more informed discussion with your health professional about your child’s bedwetting and your options for treatment and/or management. Children with day wetting symptoms should medical seek advice as they may need a more thorough assessment.

If bedwetting has been going on for a long time without mornings of dryness it would be worthwhile having your child assessed by a GP. Your doctor will want to know things like how often they urinate or have a bowel motion, if there are changes in their toileting patterns, or if there are other symptoms along with the frequent urination (i.e. strong odour).

Diagnostic tests will include a urinary analysis, you may be asked to keep a fluid diary, which will involve logging how often, and how much your child drinks and how frequently they urinate. The doctor will also want to determine his bladder capacity to see if a small bladder capacity is a contributing factor – this would also explain his nighttime wetting.

Last but not least remember to provide love and support. A little bit of positive reinforcement and praise goes a long way.