Nocturnal enuresis – bedwetting – affects 1 in 5 children at the age of 5, according to research. Embarrassing as it is for your little one, it limits their ability to be involved in sleepovers – which we all know is where best friends are formed.

While it is completely normal – up to the age of 5 at least, it doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to reduce the likelihood it will happen.

As yes, this is even though most of the reasons – as we shared in our last article – are unable to be changed: gender, genetics and age are all leading risk factors, as you may have seen.

Despite this – it’s a pleasure on behalf of Welcare to bring my 9 years of academics to share my top 5 tips on how to reduce bedwetting – starting tonight.

1. Make it acceptable

Having a chat with your child and letting them know that it’s normal and OK for them to wet the bed is a critical first step: it avoids anxiety. Studies show nervousness can increase bladder sensitivity, so without this conversation they may feel it’s unacceptable to wet the bed, which ironically, increases the likelihood they actually will.

2. Use a bedwetting alarm

Reduce the time it takes for their brains to connect urgency to use the bathroom and actually using it with a bedwetting alarm – like the Welcare Stay-Dry Bedwetting Alarm. Clipping onto their underwear and then attaching to their arm, as soon as they urinate, they are alerted via a vibration and / or a sound. This speeds up the learning process necessary to stop bedwetting in the first place.

3. Limit fluids in the evening

Sounds obvious but limiting fluids in the evening is probably the last thing on their mind. Mindful to keep your little ones hydrated, amp up the fluid intake in the earlier part of the day and taper off in the late afternoon and evening.

4. Avoid chocolate for dessert

As much as they will hate me for saying this, chocolate, containing caffeine, is an irritant for the nervous system – including the bladder. Swap out the choc chip ice cream for frozen fruit.