Medically known as nocturnal enuresis, bed-wetting can not only prove frustrating for parents, but embarrassing for the child suffering from it. It may hinder his ability to have friends over, or for him to sleep at a friends' home. While medications are available to help manage this problem, trying a more natural recourse first may not only prove beneficial, but healthier for your child.
Reduce Fluid Intake At Night
Reducing fluid intake in the evening should not be confused with limiting your child's overall fluid intake. It is simply a matter of spacing his intake throughout the day, allowing him to drink a larger percentage before 5 p.m., giving him enough time to empty his bladder before bedtime.
The Mayo Clinic recommends giving your child 40 percent of his total fluids between the hours of 7 a.m. and noon, another 40 percent between the hours of noon and 5 p.m. and 20 percent after 5 p.m. The site suggests giving your child approximately eight oz. in the evening, however this may vary according to your child's needs, especially if he participates in sporting events in the evening. To insure his health, consult his doctor first.
Increased Urination
Encourage your child to use the bathroom every 1 to 2 hours during the day, just before the start of her bedtime routine and then just before going to bed. As the Mayo Clinic explains, this regular voiding (urination) schedule helps prevent a feeling of urgency for your child.
Changes in Behavior
Behavior modification does not always apply to your child--in many cases it applies to his family members. The Urology Channel stresses the importance of reducing your child's feelings of embarrassment and anxiety within your family. To do this, have another family member who has already outgrown bed-wetting speak to him about their experience--this will give your child hope and release him of his feelings of isolation. You also need to be patient and compassionate while helping your child overcome this condition. The site states that incorporating these modifications often improve nighttime dryness within one month.
Wake Your Child Periodically
Waking your child periodically through the night also proves helpful when trying to help him outgrow bed-wetting. Setting an alarm clock for a few hours after your child goes to bed helps him wake up to go to the bathroom. You can also set it for yourself so that you may wake your child yourself. Each night he remains dry, place a gold star on a chart for him; positive reinforcement increases his self-esteem and gives him a greater desire to overcome his bed-wetting problem.
Use a Bed Alarm
Known as alarm therapy, place an alarm on your child's bed. When he begins to wet, the oh-so sensitive alarm goes off. While most children sleep through the alarm, they stop urinating immediately, according to the Urology Channel. At this point you get up due to the alarm and take your child to the bathroom where he can finish urinating. Then reset the alarm and put your child safely back into bed.
One of the pros to alarm therapy is its rate of efficacy, which is approximately 70 percent as the Urology Channel explains. The site adds that it is better suited for older children, and results can occur as early as two weeks, or may take up to several months.
