How to Use Bladder Training to Stop Bedwetting

A parent should not be alarmed when his child has a bedwetting problem. About one in 10 children wet the bed past the age of five. While some parents resort to alarms and rewards to stop bedwetting, certain experts argue that getting at the cognitive root of bedwetting is best.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Calendar or chart

1. Encourage your child to exercise his bladder muscle by squeezing it several times every day.
2. Instruct your child to drink extra water during the day to exercise the bladder. Becoming aware of the sensation associated with the need to urinate may help a child monitor his bladder at night.
3. Use a chart or a calendar to mark the days your child wets the bed. Experts say that 14-consecutive days without bedwetting usually signal an end to the condition.
4. Suggest that your child use the toilet each night before going to bed.
5. Ask your child to stop short of urinating and to just hold it a few minutes. This exercise can be an effective training method as it strengthens her muscles.
6. Limit the amount of caffeine you give your child. Increased caffeine consumption may increase the flow of urine.
7. Tell your child that bladder control just takes practice and that bedwetting is not his fault. Letting the child know that this condition is not unusual may help maintain his self-esteem.

Tips & Warnings

• Try gaming. There are computer games available online to help children exercise their bladder muscles.
• Take a look at the reasons behind bedwetting. Some children may start wetting the bed if they are going through stressful events.
• It requires time and patience to use bladder training consistently. Rest assured that the problem will likely go away after a few months at the most.
• Avoid having your child hold her urine for long periods before going to the bathroom. Prolonged waiting could lead to medical conditions, such as urinary tract infections.
• Watch out for underlying medical problems. If your child suddenly wets the bed after several days or weeks of dry nights, consult a doctor. Some cases of bedwetting are signs of serious conditions, such as bladder infections or diabetes.
• Don't scold when your child wets the bed. Scolding a child is not likely to stop bedwetting. In fact, it may exacerbate the problem.