How to Keep a Toddler From Wetting the Bed

Believe it or not, it’s a lot easier to keep your toddler dry through the night than it is to keep him dry through the day. He may not be taking well to potty training, and he may not even be at the stage where he’s telling you when he needs to go, but in a few simple steps, you can help stop bed wetting.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Give your toddler a drink after she’s eaten dinner. It’s said that food provides a buffer in the stomach, helping soak up liquid so it isn’t passed so quickly.

2. Don’t give your toddler liquids any later than 2 hours before bedtime. Give water (not juice) an hour before that. This will give your child an opportunity to empty his bladder before bed.

3. Always sit your toddler on the potty for 15 minutes right before bedtime. Depending upon the last time she urinated, she should go in this time. If not, allow her to sit for up to a half an hour with a book or video to distract her. Make sure she urinates before bedtime.

4. Sit your toddler on the potty immediately after he awakens in the morning. Usually the first thing a person does upon waking is urinate. Even allowing him to doddle a few minutes in the bed after he’s awake can be time enough for an accident.

5. Congratulate your toddler with praise when she wakes up with dry underwear. Make a big deal of the accomplishment with clapping, singing and big hugs, and she'll come to want to please you by staying dry through the night.