Question

A 3-year-old child can independently remind himself to use the toilet during the day, but still needs to wear a diaper during naps and at night to avoid wetting the bed. The child’s other conditions are normal. At this age, most children should be able to control their urination independently, but this child still wets the bed. How should we handle this situation? Please provide guidance from an expert.

Answer

Firstly, it is important to help the child understand that enuresis is a temporary functional or endocrine disorder and to alleviate any psychological burden the child may have. Collaboration between parents and medical personnel can help the child recover naturally. Here are some suggested ways to deal with the situation:

  1. To prevent the child from falling deeply asleep at night and not waking up easily, avoid overexertion during the day and schedule a one-hour nap.
  2. Reduce salt intake and limit water and soup consumption during dinner to decrease urine production at night.
  3. Avoid overexcitement before naps and cultivate the habit of emptying the bladder before napping.
  4. Parents should encourage the child to go to bed and urinate independently. Before the time when the child usually wets the bed, parents can gently wake up the child to urinate while they are awake.
  5. Train the child to hold urine during the day; when the child feels the urge to urinate, actively suppress it temporarily and gradually extend the time of holding urine. Encouraging the child during treatment can boost their confidence and have a multiplier effect. If the child goes a day without wetting the bed, they should be praised and rewarded.