Q&A
Bedwetting
Question:
I have a five-year-old boy who still wets the bed almost every night. Anything I can do to help him stay dry?
As frustrating as it can be, bedwetting is actually normal at this age. The truth is, bladder control is a complex process involving the brain, spinal column, kidneys and bladder. But not every part of a child's body develops at the same rate: He may lack the capacity to hold urine throughout the night, or he may not yet have developed the ability to wake up in response to a full bladder. Most experts don't consider it a problem unless it continues past age 6, so don't put pressure on your child and don't punish him. The good news is that this problem will probably pass as he gets older.
The best way to handle bedwetting is to treat it as something natural and unimportant: Preschoolers usually don't think their bedwetting is a problem, so don't make a big deal of it by complaining or making faces when his sheets are wet.
While you're waiting for your child to outgrow bedwetting, encourage him to wear disposable underpants or pull-ups and protect the mattress with plastic bedding sheets.
What you can do to help reduce the incidence of wet nights is to have him go to the bathroom right before his bedtime, and limit late-night drinks: Let him have only one small glass of water, steering clear of caffeinated beverages which increase urine production, and avoiding citrus juices too.
In the meantime, encourage your child to stay dry by celebrating his progress. Have him keep a calendar tracking dry and wet nights. Set up a system of small rewards for when he stays dry – but don't reprimand him for wet nights.
I hope this helps.
