Dispelling a myth - You can't teach your child to be dry at night

Your toddler is starting to want to use the potty, so you buy them underwear decorated with their favorite characters, and the training begins. In no time, they're using the toilet and staying dry all day. "Hooray!" you think. Potty training wasn't so difficult. They should be able to stay dry at night without any problems. But after several weeks, the child continues to wet the bed. Months go by, and they're still wetting the bed at night. When I went through this with my sons, I thought it was just learning accidents happening at night. But it was actually bedwetting, and when I realized that, I was able to adjust my approach and manage the situation. You and your child are doing nothing wrong. Bedwetting is perfectly normal, and nothing can "fix" it: the child will overcome the problem as they grow up.

In fact, according to the National Kidney Foundation, approximately 5 to 7 million children wet the bed in the United States alone.

Bedwetting affects boys more often than girls and is strongly linked to genetic predisposition.

Dr. Vincent Iannelli, a pediatrician and member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, says that if one parent wets the bed, the child's chances of bedwetting are up to 77% higher. Most of the time, bedwetting occurs simply because the child is not yet able to control their bladder. Just as children develop fine motor skills and language abilities at different rates, they also develop bladder control at their own pace. So, how do you manage your child's bedwetting? The fact that they wet the bed doesn't matter, as they will overcome the problem as their body matures.

Bedwetting can embarrass and upset the child because they are unable to stay dry at night.

• Insist that it is not his fault, that he is unable to stay dry at night because his body is not yet mature enough and that it is not his choice.
• Responding negatively to your child's bedwetting can damage their self-esteem and even prolong the problem.
• Treating bedwetting as something normal will benefit everyone. Rather than dwelling on the problem, take the time to establish a calming bedtime routine to help your child get a good night's sleep.
• Try to limit fluid intake 2 to 3 hours before bedtime and provide your child with disposable incontinence pads to keep them dry while sleeping. This will save you from having to change the sheets every day and will allow your child to sleep comfortably all night.

Always keep in mind that this phase will eventually pass. Yes, it's stressful and difficult to accept when you feel unable to correct the situation. But in the meantime, don't let bedwetting stress you or your child. It's normal and much more common than you might think. Tell your child it's not their fault and that you love them unconditionally.