
Most children outgrow bed-wetting on their own. If treatment is needed, it can be based on a discussion of options with your health care provider and identifying what will work best for your situation.
If your child isn't especially bothered or embarrassed by an occasional wet night, lifestyle changes — such as avoiding caffeine entirely and limiting fluid intake in the evening — may work well. However, if lifestyle changes aren't successful or if your grade schooler is terrified about wetting the bed, he or she may be helped by additional treatments.
If found, underlying causes of bed-wetting, such as constipation or sleep apnea, should be addressed before other treatment.
Options for treating bed-wetting may include moisture alarms and medication.
Here are changes you can make at home that may help:
Alternative medicine
Some people may choose to try complementary or alternative medicine approaches to treat bed-wetting. For approaches such as hypnosis, acupuncture, chiropractic therapy and herbal therapy, evidence of effectiveness for bed-wetting is weak and inconclusive or such efforts have proved to be ineffective. In some cases, the studies were too small or not rigorous enough, or both.
Be sure to talk to your child's health care provider before starting any complementary or alternative therapy. If you choose a nonconventional approach, ask if it's safe for your child and make sure it won't interact with any medications your child may take.
Coping and support
Children don't wet the bed to irritate their parents. Try to be patient as you and your child work through the problem together. Effective treatment may include several strategies and may take time to be successful.
This article is written by Mayo Clinic staff. Find more health and medical information on mayoclinic.org.
Related post: Mayo Clinic Q and A: Helping your child with bed-wetting
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