Once children are 6 to 7 years old, they should have enough bladder control to stay dry through the night, according to the Mayo Clinic. If your child's bed-wetting--otherwise known as nocturnal enuresis--doesn't have a physical cause, such as a hormone imbalance, urinary tract infection or a small bladder, use strategies to help him curb the troublesome nighttime habit.
Reduce Beverages
Your child may be wetting the bed at night because she drinks beverages, such as water, milk or fruit juice, before bedtime. The Mayo Clinic suggests that children drink only 20 percent of their daily beverages after 5 p.m. While the website notes that 8 oz. of fluid is an optimal amount for your child to drink in the evening, she may need more if she participates in rigorous evening activities, such as sports. You can also reduce the need to go to the bathroom at night by eliminating food and beverages that contain caffeine--such as sodas or chocolate--before bedtime.
Keep a Regular Bathroom Schedule
Children may have fewer accidents at night if they have a dependable bathroom schedule during waking hours. "Parenting" magazine suggests keeping your child's bladder empty throughout the day by having him go to the bathroom every two or three hours. The magazine also stresses that constipation can affect the bladder and recommends that your child gets enough water and foods containing fiber to keep his bowel movements regular.
Go Before Bed
Your child may not need to wet the bed if she sufficiently empties her bladder before going to sleep. The Mayo Clinic recommends a practice called "double voiding," or going to the bathroom twice before getting into bed. Your child can urinate as she's getting ready for bed and try to go a second time just before hopping into bed, for example. The website also recommends lighting the way to the bathroom with nightlights and telling your child that she can get out of bed to use the bathroom whenever she feels the urge in the night.
Use an Alarm
If your child typically sleeps through the bed-wetting incidents, an alarm may help him wake up in time to reduce the severity of the accident. The American Academy of Pediatrics' Healthy Children website states that a "bedwetting alarm" senses moisture and sounds an alarm that will wake your child so he can finish going to the bathroom in the toilet. The website notes that as the weeks pass, the alarm will condition your child's brain to sense a full bladder and wake him up before he has an accident.
Seek Help
When self-help bed-wetting strategies fail to help your child reduce nighttime accidents, KidsHealth recommends consulting a doctor to ensure there's not another condition causing the accidents. KidsHealth also suggests contacting a physician if your child suddenly starts wetting the bed, has accidents during the day, has swollen ankles or feet, drinks or eats more than usual, or feels discomfort when urinating.
