This post is sponsored by GoodNites and Sam’s Club
Before I was a mom I thought that potty training a child meant you spent a week or two teaching them how to use the toilet and then you were done. Now that I have three kids, all of whom have been potty trained, I know better.
All three of my kids experienced night wetness long past the time they started “peeing in the potty”. So if you’re new to this whole potty training scene and you’re worried that your child isn’t waking up dry, I’m here to tell you, it’s totally normal!
In fact, one in six children ages 4 to 12 experience nighttime wetting. So don’t stress, Mama, and certainly don’t stress your child out – this too will pass.
In the meantime, here are some tips I’ve learned along the way for managing nighttime wetting like a pro.
Tip #1 – Stick to a Regular Schedule
No big surprise, right? Is there anything regarding young kids that doesn’t go better when there’s a schedule involved?!
By helping your child stick to a regular schedule, you can help train them to empty their bladder at the appropriate times throughout the day and night.
That means one of the most helpful things you can do is to keep bedtime consistent and make sure to incorporate using the toilet into your bedtime routine of brushing teeth, reading stories, etc.
Helpful Hint: A lot of kids are either in a rush to get out of the bathroom at night and/or they have anxiety about nighttime wetting that makes them want to get away from the potty quickly. This may mean that they don’t fully relieve themselves while on the potty.
You can deal with this by asking them to go twice before bed, once about 30 minutes before bed and again right before slipping under the covers. This will help to ensure that your child’s bladder is completely empty before they get into bed. Every child and family is, of course, different, but this worked for us!
Tip #2 – Make Sure They Know It’s No Big Deal
It’s really important to remember that the anxiety and shame that can accompany night wetting can affect your child more than nighttime wetting itself.
Avoid making your child feel there is anything wrong with them as much as you can.
By far the best way we found of doing this was by simply giving our kids undergarments designed to handle nighttime wetting. For us, that means having them wear GoodNites NightTime Underwear, the #1 Nighttime Protection Brand*.
We like GoodNites because they’re plush and offer 40% more protection vs. the leading training pant. They’re super absorbent to help keep kids dry and comfortable all night, no matter what sleep position they prefer. Plus, the discreet design looks and feels like regular underwear with graphics that children won’t mind wearing. My youngest son is currently super into the super hero designs!
GoodNites NightTime Underwear do a great job of managing nighttime wetting, which means my kids never have to wake me in the middle of the night scared and embarrassed about not being able to control their bladder while they slept.
Helpful Hint: You can now buy GoodNites NightTime Underwear in bulk at a great price at Sam’s Club. And now you can receive instant savings of $8 off any 2 Huggies, Pull-Ups, GoodNites and Wipes products at Sam’s Club, valid through September 17.
Hooray for keeping the kids feeling happy and secure all while getting more sleep AND saving money! By stocking up, you don’t have to worry about running out when you’re trying to get your toddlers ready for bed – you’re already covered and prepared with the larger pack!
Plus, you can ship directly to your house with free shipping online, or you can use drive through club pick-up – super convenient when you are running errands and don’t want to get out of the car!
Tip #3 – Limit the Nighttime Fluids When Possible
Yes, this one is kind of a no-brainer. But there are a few things to keep in mind. First, caffeine can increase the rate at which urine is produced so you’ll want to avoid it at night for nighttime wetting purposes as well as sleeping purposes.
Second, encourage the whole family to limit their beverages after dinner so your child struggling with night wetting doesn’t feel singled out. If they are genuinely thirsty there’s no need to completely restrict a glass of water, but something to keep in mind as the night winds down.
Third, don’t forget to load up on the water during the first half of the day to make up the evening.
Tip #4 – Give Them Control
Just like with potty training, you want to manage nighttime wetting with positivity and by giving your kiddos as much control as possible. Allow kids to pick out their GoodNites or their favorite book to read before bed.
The more you child is actively involved in the process of learning to stay dry through the night, the better they’ll feel about it.
More from MPMK…
Get Your Free Printable
Subscribe to our newsletter today and get our free printable... No More, "Mom, I'm Bored!"