Children who wet the bed tend to be very embarrassed about the issue, and some of their peers might tease and laugh at them. Nighttime incontinence is prevalent among toddlers and children aged five and eight. Fortunately, most of them outgrow the habit when they hit 11 years old. Bedwetting can also be very frustrating to the parents, who will stop at nothing to find a solution for their child. Keep reading this article to learn how to stop bedwetting permanently for your toddler.
Rule out constipation
Your child might be experiencing bladder problems due to constipation. The presence of hard poop in the rectum exerts pressure on the bladder, leading to instability and probably nighttime incontinence. If you suspect that your child is constipated, increase their fluid and fiber intake and ensure they eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Whole grains are also an excellent dietary option to soften their poop and ease constipation.
Have them empty their bladder before bed
One of the best ways to reduce the frequency of bedwetting is to take your young one to the bathroom before their bedtime. An extra precaution would be to wake them up to use the bathroom again before they retire to bed. It would be best if you also tried to reduce their intake of fluids a few hours before they go to bed.
Visit your pediatrician
If your child is still wetting the bed after they hit five years old or if the bedwetting started abruptly, it would be best to see a pediatrician. Your doctor will run various tests and rule out urinary tract infections, diabetes, or stress. If you live in Florida, you can take them to a pediatrician in Jacksonville FL. Sometimes, there could be nothing physically wrong with your child, and they probably need time to control their nighttime bladder functions.
Reassure your child
Punishing your child for wetting the bed will increase their anxiety levels, causing them to wet the mattress more frequently. Let your child know that they are not alone in their bedwetting issue offers them comfort. Instead of getting angry with them, reassure them that their condition is normal for their age and give it time.
Incentivize your child to stop bedwetting
Positive incentives work at the subconscious level to encourage your toddler to stay dry throughout the night. For instance, you could come up with a chart and provide stars or happy faces for each day they wake up to a dry bed. Give your child a target, after which they will receive a special treat such as confectionery or a trip to their favorite place. Keep in mind that the opposite of a reward is not to punish the child with bedwetting.
Wrapping Up
Blaming your child will only make the situation worse. If you keep reassuring your child and limit the intake of fluids before bed, your child will soon bypass this phase and start waking themselves up at night to use the toilet. It would be best to encourage your child to take responsibility for their bedwetting by letting them help change their wet bedsheets in the morning. We hope this article has been insightful.
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