Dr. Clatch Speaks On: Banishing the Bedwetting Blues

Having a young child who wets the bed once in a while is often part and parcel of being a parent. However, once the child reaches age five or so, bedwetting may become an uncomfortable or even embarrassing topic - not for the parents, but for their children. In order to help children through this phase, parents must be patient, understanding, and a little creative.

One of the most important parts of helping a child become proactive with the potty is withholding blame and shame. Do not get frustrated with your child for wetting the bed - this will only make him or her reluctant to come to you with the issue. Talk your child through any negative feelings they may be feeling, and let them know that bedwetting is normal for young children, and that they are not alone.

Parents should also limit their children’s fluid intake a few hours before bedtime, and encourage their children to go to the bathroom before they go to bed. Parents can also take this one step farther and gently rouse their children to use the bathroom before they - the parents - go to sleep. While this may not “cure” bedwetting, it will help the chances of the child staying dry through the night.

Incentives can also go a long way in motivating the child to monitor their own bathroom habits. Parents can use stickers on a calendar to track dry nights, and after a certain amount of nights, the child receives a reward for their good work.

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