How to Stop Bedwetting

Bedwetting is a fairly natural, and normal, phase that many children go through during their life. Unfortunately, it is also one that can be extremely embarrassing for both the child and the parent. In addition to creating a lot more chores and cleaning time, this type of incident can also have a negative effect on the child. Here are a few methods that you can use to learn how to stop bedwetting.

• It's a family thing. According to many pediatricians and child psychologists, bedwetting is a trait that can be passed down the generations. As such a trait, if you or your spouse have a history of bedwetting when you were younger, then you can expect your children to stop wetting the bed when they reach the same general age as you were. Another thing that you will need to keep in mind is that getting a child to stop bedwetting isn't only up to that specific child, but rather something that the entire family can lend a hand in, even if it is only by offering some support.
• Talk to a pediatrician. Regardless of whether the bed wetting is a suddenly new thing, or something that has been going on for a while, it may be a good idea to have your child examined by a pediatrician. The reason for this is that there are some instances where bedwetting can be an indication of a medical problem. The only one who can ascertain this for certain is the pediatrician. In addition, your pediatrician can also prescribe some medication that can potentially help stop the bedwetting/
• Urinary bed alarms. One of the most effective methods for long term treatment of bedwetting is to use something called a urinary bed alarm. There are several different models that are available, and all of which can be equally effective. One example of these devices include a moisture sensor that is worn on the child's pajamas (or underwear), which is then attached to an alarm box which is usually worn on a shirt. When the sensor detects moisture an alarm goes off, and this will wake up the child so that they can then go to the bathroom.
• Reinforce the good. Simply offering a reward and a good word or two for the good nights (which would be the dry ones) can go a long way to helping your child gain confidence in their endeavors. This method usually works best in conjunction with others.
• Lifting can help. There is a method that you can use to help your child which is called "lifting". Lifting is where you wake up the child two or three hours after they go to sleep so that they can then get up and go to the bathroom. While this is a little bit extreme, and will require some extra work on your part, it does work. Over time this method will help train your child to get up during the night and go to the bathroom, thereby avoiding accidents.
• Train the bladder. Another effective method for you to help your child stop wetting the bed is to begin training the bladder. There are a couple of methods that you can utilize to help your child train their bladder. One is to have your child tell you when they need to go to the bathroom and then have them wait a few minutes. Over time, gradually increase the amount of time to about 45 minutes. When the child does start to go to the bathroom, have them start and stop while they relieve themselves. This will also help strengthen the muscles associated with bladder control.
• Limit intake. Perhaps one of the most effective methods for limiting accidents during the night is to reduce, limit, or even prohibit the intake of any fluids an hour or two before the child goes to bed. While this may not, by itself, stop the accidents from happening, but it can limit the size of them. When used in conjunction with the other methods listed here, you will see a dramatic decrease in the size and number of accidents.