According to the Mayo Clinic, most children are potty trained by four, but each child may have a different time line for night time enuresis, or bed wetting. The Mayo Clinic reports that at age four, bed-wetting remains a problem for only about 15 percent of children. As children get older, this percentage decreases. Parents can try different techniques to help prevent the bed wetting, but enuresis will usually stop once the child is developmentally ready.
Controlling Fluid Intake
Some parents find that if their child does not drink for a few hours prior to going to bed, he stays dry during the night. Try giving the child his last drink of the day one to two hours before bedtime. Avoid giving the child any caffeinated drinks, which can cause an increase in the need to urinate.
Scheduling
Parents can try having the child urinate prior to bedtime one or two times to make sure the bladder is empty prior to sleeping. In addition, they may try picking the child up during the middle of the night and bringing her to the bathroom to urinate. It is also important for parents to remind their child to urinate during the day.
Treat other Underlying Problems
Sometimes, if a child is constipated or has a urinary tract infection, it can contribute to bed wetting. It is important that a child be evaluated for these issues if they are suspected.
Moisture Alarms
Alarms are available that detect wetness in the early stages. The purpose of the alarm is to wake up the child to go to the bathroom once the device senses wetness. The alarm is used to train the child to wake up if he is experiencing the feeling that he needs to go to the bathroom.
Waiting
It is important to recognize that bed wetting is not a behavioral problem. It is related to development and the child cannot help wetting the bed at night. The problem usually goes away over time, so it is important for parents to be patient. Reassure the child that her body will develop and she will grow out of it, and reward her for dry nights.
When to Get a Doctor Involved
If bed wetting really bothers the child, if the child is over six years of age, or if there are other symptoms accompanying bed wetting such as burning, blood or constipation, a doctor should be called for an evaluation. In addition, if the child did not wet the bed for a month or more and all of the sudden begins doing it again, the doctor should be called.
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