Potty Training and Bed Wetting

Although a child has been potty trained, bed wetting can occur for months.

Potty training a toddler is no easy task. It usually takes months for a child to master the skill, and yet, frequent or occasional bed wetting can still happen months and even a year afterward. It's normal for parents to feel frustrated, but it's also important not to convey those feelings toward a child. Instead, realize that bed wetting, especially during potty training, is normal and can be overcome with time and patience.

Misconception

One misconception of potty training a toddler is that once he is wearing underwear daily and staying accident free, he will also remain dry at night. Unfortunately, to most parents' dismay, this isn't the case. Small children learn to recognize body cues during the day, but those same cues will not wake most children during a deep sleep. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics' website, "After your child is toilet trained (usually between ages 2 and 4), it is not uncommon for children to wet the bed at night. This may happen as often as two to three times per week early in this period, and gradually become less and less until it is completely gone at around age 5."

Solutions

Bed wetting is equally frustrating for toddlers and their parents.

Since bed wetting during the process of potty training is normal, even until the age of 5, the best solution is to have patience.
-- Talk to your child and make sure she knows it is not her fault for wetting the bed. Do not punish a child for bed wetting as this could result in low self-esteem and confidence issues later.
-- Instead, buy nighttime super-absorbent underwear which can easily be pulled on and off if your child does wake up in time to use the bathroom.
-- Limit all fluids at least two hours before bedtime.
-- Mention the bed wetting to your child's pediatrician to rule out any serious problems.

If There's a Problem ...

Children, especially girls, can get urinary tract infections, or UTI. A urinary tract infection can cause more accidents and bed wetting to happen. If your child is says it is painful to pee, has dark, foul-smelling urine, and/or has a fever, she may have a UTI. Check with her pediatrician immediately to rule out the possibility of an infection. If it is the case, the doctor can prescribe oral antibiotics to clear up the UTI.

Beyond Age 5

Although most children will stop have bed wetting episodes at age 5, about one in five children will still wet the bed at age 7, and one in 20 will at age 10, according to the American Academy of Pedicatric's website. Solutions at this age still include wearing nighttime super-absorbent underwear, limiting fluids two hours before bedtime and building, not destroying, the child's self-esteem. However, some other methods are suggested at this age. According to the AAP's website, "If your child is still wetting after one to three months on this plan, your pediatrician may recommend using a bed-wetting alarm device or some medications. This alarm will awaken your child automatically as soon as he begins to wet, so he can get up and complete his urination in the toilet ... Another option may be oral medications."

Tips

Potty training is hard, no doubt. But, when parents teach their children in a positive and encouraging way, both parent and child come away from the entire experience with self-esteems boosted and the confidence to tackle the next hurdle in child-rearing.
Here are some more potty-training tips:
-- Set up a reward system by giving your child a sticker, toy, lollipop, or book when he uses the toilet.
-- Find a training potty at the store which may not appear as intimidating to a youngster as a big toilet that flushes.
-- After he has been accident-free for several weeks, take your child to the store and pick out "big kid" underwear together. Let him pick out a pair that has his favorite cartoon character on them.
-- When accidents or bed wetting does happen and your child is visibly disappointed, just say "It's OK. Accidents happen and I know you will do better next time."
-- Parents, keep the experience in perspective. In a few short years, the woes of potty training will be greatly overshadowed by the curfew and allowance wars of teenage-hood.

References

• American Academy of Pediatrics; "Bedwetting;" see first graph
• American Academy of Pediatrics; "Bedwetting;" see section "Home Treatment for Nightime Bed-Wetting Over the Age of Five"
• American Academy of Pediatrics; "Bedwetting;" see second graph