How do i stop my 3 year old wetting the bed?

Question

He was dry for about a week but now he has started doing it again. he comes into our bed in the early hours so does it in his and mine!!

Answer 1

He's three, and no, to someone's else's answer, regression AT THAT AGE is not a sign of emotional distress. It simply means he's 3. Also boys are 70% more likly to wet the bed then girls, since their bladders simply do not grow as fast as the rest of their bodies. The male bladder does not catch up till about 7 years of age. Also there could be a medical problem. I myself had to have urethra surgery twice at the age of 7 and 9, and had wet the bed before that on a regular basis. It was nothing that i could physically help, it was not emotional distress. Just let him grow up, and don't read anything into it. Punishing him for something he may not be able to conrol will only give him a complex!! Give him a chance to grow up, and in the meantime invest in nightime pants.

Answer 2

I've not tried this, and mean no offense, or torture to the child,,,BUT.

Along with retraining efforts you might try a plastic SHEET/Pad over the bed,,, Just uncomfortable enough to cause the child to want to get off of it,,,especially as that relates to using the toilet. It shouldn't be abrasive certainly, and the discomfort of it may only come from the crinkling noises it makes when rolled around on.

As part of any potty training, we all, as parents, used rewards, as often, or more often, than any punishments,,,which by the way, do not work. In this suggestion, the reward might be, Trying it briefly,,,especially if it's uncomfortable for the child. Removing it for a time, if in fact the child does get up and use the bathroom, and eventually doing away with it, adding praise, and maybe a subtle suggestion that the plastic sheet will be handy, should there be any back sliding.

Bribes and threats sounds like a cruel way to teach and raise a child perhaps, but in moderation, and without harmful intent, we use both methods.

The acceptance of the child coming to YOUR bed is your issue, not the childs, and certainly you should understand that. I doubt seriously that you, or any adult would want to remain in a wet bed.

Rev. Steven

Answer 3

My son was dry by 18mths then his father and I split when he was 2half and he started wetting again. It just takes lots of patience. Make sure he goes to the toilet before he goes to bed then wake him up and take him again when you go to bed and if possible take him again during the night, this will obviously mean broken sleep for you for a while but it does work in the end. Also don't give him any liquids after 6pm. If that fails put him back on a nappy until he is ready. Boys are much lazier with this sort of thing.

Answer 4

Not a lot you can do. The best thing though is to not make a big deal about it. If you tell him it's OK and that it will get better, it probably will.
Many a parent has made a mess of this (including mine), please be kind to him. I know it's hard, but he can't help it.

Edit:-

Just noticed the "Bad things will happen..." idea below. that sucks big time. I'll be honest and say, I wet the bed till I was 16! My mother tormented me with all sorts of threats of bad things happening.

Thinking about it, you must be a good kind parent to be seeking help. I suppose that drinking less before bed can help. I think lots of love could be the solution. I stopped when my life got a bit less stressed and after a GP said "It will go away".

Answer 5

Take your child to someone that could help. He has got emotional problems and don't know how to get rid of them. I also got a girl which is turning 4 in September and she still wets the bed. I have spent many nights waking up and taking her to toilet and even stopped her from drinking after 7 in the evening, but she still wets the bed. I realised that there was a problem and took it on hands. I discovered that (this is going to sound crazy, but it's true) she is talking to wandering souls of little children who told her not to go to school and to wet her bed. Sounds cryzy, i know! Maybe your son has got a problem as well.
Feel free to ask again for advice. I'm a living mom-doctor!

Answer 6

If it is winter there as it is here then you should wait until the warmer weather to train him. That way they are not worried about getting up in the cold of the night to go to the loo...or being lazy as to wet the bed due to the cold. Limit the amount of fluid intake from 6 pm onwards aswell.
Empty his bladder before bed time. Put a plastic bag under a sheet on his bed so you do not have to change the whole bed at night when he wets. Then put him back into his own bed...not into yours.

Answer 7

aww bless i think it might be harder for boys mines 7 now and my girl is 2 and she is dry already but he was about 5 and still had accidents when he was 6, only thing i can suggest is don't make a big deal about it, and i used to not let him drink for an hour before bed and make him have a wee before bed and maybe take him to the toilet when you go to bed. also you can get them plastic sheets so then its not such a big deal or even them care mats then if he does it you don't have to change the whole of the bedding just take off the mat and throw away.

Answer 8

my 5 year old still has a problem at some times. It doesn't mean that they have emotional problems.

Here is what to do:

1- No drinks 2 hours before bedtime unless it is a sip of water.
2- Make them use the bathroom before they go to bed.
3-If your child is like mine and stays awake for a while, go in and ask them to use the bathroom again before they go to sleep.
4-You can put pullups on the child at night to sleep in.

Good luck, and don't stress out. This is perfectly normal.

Answer 9

Hi! I know what your going through,my daughter had the same problem. You have to try to limit how much he drinks before bed time,have the little guy go to the bathroom before he goes to bed and then wake him up to go to the bathroom before you go to bed. That should do the trick. I know that's frusterating when that happens! If you don't have waterproof sheets on all the beds you might want to get some. Hope I've been some help to you. Good luck!

Answer 10

it depends on the cause. it could be apprehension, or last minute drinks as well as high salt content. It may be that he is not ready o be dry as childrens ages vary for this area. have you tried using a pad during the night rather than a nappy? he may feel more comfortable and grown up this way and would be a step between the two stages. please also do remember that developmental stages are not an exact science. try not to be cross with him and don't blame yourself. try not to worry as your apprehension will be picked by your son and could make him more nervous and less confident. Hope your both ok. xxx