Don’t let bed wetting keep you up at night!
Bed wetting is a problem many parents will experience. In addition to challenges such as wet sheets, extra laundry, or possibly damaged furniture, both parents and children can have their sleep impacted. The time it takes to clean the mess, change your child, and possibly bath them as well can end up being a very large sleep disruptor that in turn affects many aspects of a child’s development.
It’s important to remember that bed wetting is often a normal part of potty training and development, but it’s always a good idea to speak to your doctor and make sure continuous bed wetting is not a more serious underlying condition such as Diabetes. Other common causes of bedwetting are constipation, small bladders, high urine production, or urinary tract infections (UTIs). The age a child gains full bladder control at night will vary but by the age of ten, 95% of children are typically dry sleepers. It’s also assumed that twice as many boys wet the bed as girls.
How does bed wetting impact your child?
Children that deal with bed wetting, either during nap time or standard evening sleep, can develop multiple coping mechanisms often seen as antisocial, deal with bouts of depression or display anxious behaviors around naps and bedtime. As well as being concerned for their child’s development, parents might find themselves frustrated and dealing with the same effects due to sleep loss. When your child has bed wetting fears, you may find yourself struggling with your bedtime routine.
We know how important sleep is for both you and your little one!
Here are some of our best tips for dealing with bed wetting to help everyone in your family sleep better.
Be patient and don’t place blame
A child who wets the bed typically doesn’t do so on purpose. Most children will outgrow this phase. As we know, our little ones are sensitive and can pick up on our emotions. If they’re exposed to strong reactions such as anger or frustration over their bed wetting, the added stress or anxiety could add to the problem. Allow yourself time to wake up, soothe your child, and provide them the assurance they need to continue to build their confidence.
Be prepared
Keep extra sheets, pajamas, and underwear near the bed to make clean up quick and easy. Many companies are developing bed wetting products as well, such as absorbent sheets than can be washed like normal, waterproof bed covers, and even Peejamas! No, that’s not a typo. Our team recently tested Peejamas to help our little ones sleep through the night. We found these eco-friendly diaper alternatives that look like sleepwear to be a strong addition to any nighttime routine, providing extra absorbency and comfortable fabric that mimics regular pajamas!
Include your child
Having your child help you clean can be a big help in learning that bed wetting is also their responsibility. Smaller children can help strip the sheets or put fresh sheets on, help with getting redressed, and other tasks. As your child helps with what may seem like simple tasks, this helps to reassure them that you are a team and they aren’t alone.
Turn bedtime into a game to encourage better daily bathroom habits
Many children wet the bed at night because they ignore bathroom signals or have gotten into the habit of restricting their bathroom time by holding in their urine. If you notice your child crossing their legs, holding their groins, straining, or other familiar habits, your child may ignore the urge to urinate or get into the habit of not wanting to go to the bathroom. Just like noticing your child’s sleep cues, start to learn their bathroom cues and help them learn positive daytime toilet habits.
If you are experiencing consistent bedwetting, create a reward system for pre-sleep bathroom trips, nightly bathroom breaks using a wake up alarm, or staying dry through the night. This can be something as simple as a sticker on a chart to help your little one feel accomplished.
Take preventative measures
Sometimes the simplest steps are the most effective. Reduce your child’s evening fluid intake, monitor their bathroom habits for potential changes like constipation or more frequent urination, and make sure they have a clear, barrier free, and fright-free access to the toilet. Some children might be wetting the bed due to fear of the dark or inability to get to the bathroom. Install a nightlight, make sure nothing is creating large shadows, and put away any toys or potential items that could cause a child to trip and fall while still sleepy.
Do you have experience with bed wetting?
We’ll keep the conversation going on our Instagram and Facebook pages. Let us know your favorite tips, tricks, or how you overcame bedwetting in the comments!
For more sleep tips, visit our website and check out our nap guide, or reach out to us for 1:1 guidance!
Do you need more tips on helping your child sleep through the night? Check out these articles:
How to make sure naps on-the-go are safe
Five signs your child is ready to drop a nap
How to get your baby to go to sleep and stay asleep