Hi J. E. – it’s a tricky question … how we as parents handle our children’s bedwetting is of ultimate importance as this is what they will remember in the long-term. It is important that children never feel forced or pressured into wearing absorbent pants. You can however discuss with him why it would be helpful for him to wear DryNites at night (use these rather than Pull-Ups as they are better suited to older children). You need to acknowledge the great job he is doing while at the same time reminding him that when he does wet at night you understand that it is not his fault. The only reason you would perhaps like him to wear DryNites is because you are concerned that he may get cold if he does wet, sleeping in wet sheets. It is also OK to let him know that it is lots of work for you to have to change his bed all the time; so long as he understands that you are not blaming him for this. It is not particularly surprising that his bedwetting does not concern him – not many 4-year-old boys would be bothered by it. The fact that he is not bothered is also testament to how positively you have handled the situation. I would not be overly concerned with his nighttime wetting patterns at this early stage as it is not unusual for children to waiver between periods of continence and then begin wetting again as they move toward achieving permanent nighttime continence.

Regards,
Dr Cathrine

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