Potty Training: Staying Dry at Night
So, your child is now doing well at using the toilet during the day, but you want to get her to lose the diapers at night. For some kids this next logical step follows easily from the first, but for others it is a more difficult proposal.
There should be no rush in teaching your child to stay dry at night. Some kids are not developmentally ready until they are quite a bit older. Some children still have night-wetting issues until they are 10 years old. Don't get discouraged and don't condemn your child. It will come with time and she is far from the only child with these issues.
To begin with you will probably want to keep you child in pull-ups or other night-time diapers. This prevents having to change the bedding in the middle of the night and reduces the fear of failure. If they do stay dry at night, or if they wake to use the toilet be sure to praise them for their night-time potty training success. If instead they are not yet ready to stay dry be sure to not ridicule them for still wearing diapers at night. Be supportive of their daytime efforts and don't make a big deal about night-time accidents.
To help you child stay dry at night limit how much she drinks close to bedtime. Before tucking her in make sure that she has just used the toilet. When you are ready for bed, wake your child and get her to use the toilet again. She may not want to get up and may say she doesn't need to go, but by teaching her to make an effort you are teaching her body to wake up and go to the bathroom when her bladder fills at night.
If your child begins to have nightmares it may be a sign that she needs to use the bathroom. Teach her to get up after waking from a bad dream and use the toilet before trying to go back to sleep. If nothing else this will empty her bladder and may even succeed in getting her mind off the bad dream that woke her in the first place.
No matter how long it takes to teach your child to stay dry at night it is essential to stand by her throughout the process. Keep encouraging her in her efforts and never belittle her for her failures. Your older child can become involved in the care of her bedding washing the sheets and remaking the bed. Night wetting is a common problem and she should be made aware that she isn't the only one who has accidents at night.
If the problem persists or if there are additional issues such as burning or bladder issues in the day be sure to consult a doctor for advice. There may be an issue that requires medical attention and even if there isn't the doctor may have some good advice to help your child.
