bedwetting

Melanie - posted on 11/04/2010

I'm not sure if you have a boy or girl...but, I hear it's normal for boys to wet the bed up to age 7. Talk with your doctor to rule out any health issues first. They can also discuss behavior issues if that is what this is. I suggest you don't make a big deal out of it with your child. Have 2 to 4 sheet sets for him/her, as well as 2 to 4 mattress protectors. If your child wets the bed in the night, this is what I suggest:
1. Remain calm. Do not let the child know you are upset about having to clean up the mess. Have a one-liner you use to keep both of you calm. I like "no big deal".
2. Get the child out of bed, remove wet clothing, shower child (if they need help--they're sleepy too and may not be able to do on their own), dress child, then lay them on their bedroom floor until you can change the bedding.
3. Remove bedding, putting it wherever you put the wet clothing. Put child back to bed just as lovingly as you did the first time that night.
4. Hopefully, you put the wet clothing & linens in something you can soak them in. This way you can pour vinegar on them now to soak out the urine smell so you can wash them in hot water in the morning.
5. In the morning, you could ask the child if he/she has any suggestions on how to avoid the disturbance in the night. You might be surprised at his/her answers. They are definitely smarter than we think they are and have great ideas sometimes. Good luck!

Annabel - posted on 09/16/2010

I never refuse to let my daughter have a drink - but no fizzy drinks after 3pm! Bedtime routine always includes going to the toilet, and it has really worked. I had tried waking her in the night etc - but it made no difference - the biggest help was avoiding carbonated drinks - as it aggravates the bladder!!

DA - posted on 09/14/2010

We had the bed time ritual which included a pee... even if he didn't have to. I'd make a point to tell him how important it was. I would also monitor his liquid intake over the evening. If he didn't pee much, i'd wake him up before I was going to bed to make sure he wouldn't wet the bed. We still have occasional accidents but it's much better now. Once every few months so much easier than every night.