[Solved] wetting the bed

A little night light won't hurt. Try reducing her fluid intake before bedtime and maybe taking her to the toilet before you go to bed. I used to toilet my children in the night to prevent them from wetting the bed hen they were first potty trained.

Hi Tere,

My step son had really bad trouble with bed wetting when he was 6-7 like 5 year old, he would wet almost every night, it took a lot to stop, in the end I would get up at 2-3am and take him to the toilet, most of the time he would stay in such a sleepy state he would be asleep again within minutes of being back in bed, it took 3-4 weeks to get to the point where I didn't have to get up with him, hopefully if you are taking to the toilet then it will start to eliminate the fear of it being dark too.

But I also agree, ensure you limit the amount of fluid for a few hours before bed, it is also worth making sure 2-3 toilet trips happen in those 2 hours as well so there is less fluid in the system.

GTTS

You should definitely consult with a pediatrician on this. There are a number of possible causes. One of the most common in girls has a bladder that has don't grow as fast as the rest of the body. If this is the case, she will outgrow it. There are other possible medical conditions that can lead to bed wetting. Another thing to consider is your child's stress level. Have there been any changes at home or school recently that may be impacting your angel? Limiting drinks for a couple hours before bed and making sue that she urinates before going to sleep can help a little bit as can waking her up in the middle of the night for a bathroom break. There are so many potential causes that it's really worth it to have a doctor check it out.

Don't let her drink a lot of fluids before going to bed.

There are wee disposable mattress covers that Pampers do, those can be quite handy until you get to the bottom of it, same idea as a nappy but you put it under the bed sheet she wont even know it's there so you won't be adding to any stress the wee yin may be under.

All the best

I fear my reply is going to differ from the other messages you have received regarding this topic.

I personally would not limit fluid intake!
If we are thirsty it is awful not being able to drink, added to which I do not believe it is healthy on the organs of the body to limit fluid intake. I think there are things to try before limiting fluids which I believe should only be attempted after consulting a doctor.

I am a big believer in leaving a landing light on (house) or hall light (bungalow) all night and never shutting a child's bedroom door, leaving it ajar about six inches for the light to shine through, I am talking here of a proper light not a night light. The child's eyes can focus which they cannot do if it is pitch black. They can also get out of bed safely and it is less stressful in general because they can see. You say quote, "often she is awake when it happens," if the light is on is it a possibility she may take herself to the toilet?

As a parent I would never shut my bedroom door. If a child knows it can come to you in the night, it is more settling for them.
I think a water proof cover for the mattress is a good idea and taking her to the toilet in the night is also.
I'm sure you are very patient with her which you need to be as to make a lot of fuss about it, will I'm sure, make matters worse.

I find it interesting that you say quote, " wets the bed nearly every other night," can you think of anything that unsettles her on alternate nights? She is not doing it every night so it makes me wonder if you can pinpoint a possible reason on the nights she does have a mishap. One thing springs to mind, does the same person put her to bed or do you alternate? Is there a link there?

I believe children need to go to bed in a happy contented mood. Is this how she is or could there be a link to wetting the bed depending on her mood?

You don't say how long this has been going on for? Depending on your answer, I think I would give it a little longer and try some of the things suggested. If you make no headway after a while I would mention it to your doctor.

Why are you so against limiting fluid intake MoaF? It is recommended by NHS choices and others as one of the tools in successfully preventing bed wetting, and is advised as one of the things to try "before" a trip to the GP!

No one is suggesting stopping fluids through the day, and its understood that children should have regular drinks... Your advice is welcome, but to suggest that limiting fluid at bedtime will cause organs to be damaged is somewhat OTT and could cause unnecessary worry to some parents reading your post.

To Nannyjane

Please read my post again. I am not offering advice, I am expressing my opinion and what I believe. There is a vast difference between the two!

I state in my post quote, "I do not believe it is healthy on the organs of the body to limit fluid intake,." I do not use the word "damaged" which you reproach me for, that is your word and yes, the use of it by you is OTT and inaccurate in the context of my message.

Furthermore if you read my post accurately you will note I do not rule out limiting fluids if a consultation has taken place with the doctor before doing so.

Please do not tell me quote, "your advice is welcome," when it obviously isn't. I was expressing my personal opinion nothing more, nothing less.

There's no need to take offence, and I'm genuine when I say your advice is welcome!

If something isn't healthy then it is damaging to ones health surely? By offering your opinion, you are by understanding, sharing experience and thus proffering advice, your last paragraph reads very much as advice I think.

I wasn't reproaching you, I was however pointing out that our own NHS advises limiting fluids at bedtime as a part solution, as well as other agencies that give advice on the subject of bed wetting....it's an accepted course of action and wouldn't be the case if it was unhealthy and had a negative impact on internal organs! It's only after these solutions have been tried and aren't effective that a trip to the GPs is necessary....not before.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Bedwetting/Pages/Introduction.aspx

I apologise if you took my choice of words the wrong way MoaF, lets not fall out over it, we are all on the same side after all.

All kids are different that's what makes it so hard guys I think that everyone has made a valid point, I never really had any issues with bed wetting just a few times. All I did was make sure my son had a pee before tucking him in then (I think someone else mentions this) getting him to have another pee before I went to sleep myself. He still had a couple of accidents but the Pampers mattress liners I mentioned help as I only had to change a sheet, in fact I think I may have just taken him to my bed. The fluid intake aspect is tricky I would let him drink as much as he wanted and just stop about an hour before bed to allow the fluid to go through his system as I say all kids are different it's really finding out what suits your wee one.

Good Luck you'll get there