When you become parents, you need to be prepared for a range of things – sleepless nights, constant changing of diapers, then there is the task of toilet training and in between all this, there will be several other challenges. 

One such challenge that you might come across when raising a baby would be bed wetting and although bed wetting in kids is normal and common, it is not something that should continue after a few years. Once your potty training is over and done with, bed wetting should ideally stop; however, it doesn’t always. 

We at A Toddler Thing are aware that as new or even experienced parents, you might always be on the lookout for tips and tricks to tackle what might seem like simple problems. So, here we are, with information on bed wetting as well as bedwetting solutions. 

What is bed wetting in kids and what are the types?

Bedwetting, also known as nocturnal enuresis, is a common issue among children, wherein there is an involuntary release of urine, while the child is sleeping. In most cases, if your potty training has been on track, the bed wetting should stop by age 5 or so; however, in some cases, bed wetting can continue up to the age of 7. 

There are 2 types of bed wetting:

• Primary – where the child has not been able to stay dry throughout the night and this is most common in small children. Normally, kids who are in the under 5 age group tend to fall in this category. 
• Secondary – where the bedwetting is a reoccurrence. So, let’s say, a child has been having dry spells throughout the night and then after about 12 or 18 months, starts bed wetting again. 

 What could be causing the bed wetting

As is the case with any human body related condition, there are causes to bed wetting too:

• Genetics – if a parent was a bed wetter as a child, there is a chance the baby will be too
• Medical conditions such as diabetes or chronic constipation
• Urine related conditions such as UTI (urinary tract infection) or vaginitis
• Small bladder or slower maturation of bladder nerves

Top 10 tips to stop kids from wetting the bed

There are actually easy solutions for bedwetting and here are the top 10:

1. Establish a routine - Encourage your child to establish a regular bedtime routine, because consistent sleep patterns can help regulate the bladder. Allow them to check the time on their own every night and get started on their routines. 
2. Limit fluids before bed – Ensure that your child drinks fluids earlier in the day and limits their intake in the evening, especially close to bedtime. Rather than letting them be thirsty during the day and then drinking too much water in the evening, ensure they have a bottle of water with them throughout the day. This can help reduce the likelihood of a full bladder during the night.
3. Eliminate bladder irritants – Items that contain caffeine, such as cocoa or chocolate milk, are best left for the day time. You can also consider reducing consumption of any juices or items with artificial colours or sweeteners, later in the day. 
4. Bathroom breaks before bed - Ensure that your child goes to the bathroom before bedtime; you can even ask them to go twice or thrice before going to bed finally. This helps empty the bladder, reducing the chances of bedwetting during the night.
5. Bladder training - Encourage your child to practice bladder control during the day by gradually increasing the time between bathroom breaks. This is something that can be practised while at home or even outside and can help improve overall bladder function.
6. Bedwetting alarms - Bedwetting alarms can be effective in training a child to wake up when they need to use the bathroom. You can also help the child get up once in the night, just to try using the bathroom. You can also use our organic Ultra Undies, which are a great way to hold 1 to 2 pees, for up to 2 hours, should an accident happen. Because these are like regular underwear, they are easy to wear and remove. 
7. Cut back on screen time – Ideally, the screen time of small children should be limited, but you need to cut back on it, all the more in the evening. When you improve sleep hygiene, when you reduce screen time at night, the mind tends to slow down and this will allow for a relaxed body and better sleep. 
8. Use waterproof bedding - Protect the mattress with a waterproof mattress cover or pad. This makes cleanup easier and helps prevent discomfort for your child, should you be a little late in finding out. 
9. Address anxiety and stress - Bedwetting can sometimes be linked to stress or anxiety, which is why it is important to talk to your child about any concerns they may have, and create a supportive environment to help alleviate any and all stressors.
10. Positive reinforcement - Use positive reinforcement to encourage your child. Offer praise and rewards for dry nights, which can boost their confidence and motivation to stay dry. Involve your child in managing the situation by having them help change their sheets if an accident occurs. This fosters a sense of responsibility and reduces feelings of shame, allowing them to sense their own improvement.

While these are some of the best bedwetting solutions, which you could see as the do’s, there are also some very important don’ts!

Here is what not to do when tackling kids bed wetting

• Do not scold or shout at your child – they are not doing it on purpose and they should not be made to feel like they did something wrong. 
• Do not keep the child away from liquids all day long – as long as they are awake, they should be allowed to drink plenty of fluids. 
• Do not embarrass your child in front of others as this could emotionally scar them. 
• Do not compare your child with any other, because every child is different and every child has a different journey. 
• Do not expect instant results and be prepared for accidents. 

Kids wetting the bed is normal and natural and each child will take their own time to stop it; as a parent, what you can do is invest in some colourful and super comfortable organic Ultra Undies that will encourage your little one to become a lot more independent! And for the babies, we suggest the extra soft organic cloth diapers.