Medications are typically used for short-term needs like sleepovers and school camps and don’t continue to be effective once you stop taking the medication. There are a number of alternative treatments available these include acupuncture, homeopathy, and chiropractic care (this involves treating the bladder through manipulation of the lower spine and pelvis) – many of these approaches are still viewed as experimental so it is a good idea to speak with a continence advisor first before trying any treatment. You can try and reduce the amount of urine his kidneys produce by limiting caffeinated drinks and food. Things like chocolate and soft drinks are very high in caffeine and cause the kidneys to produce higher quantities of urine. Some children have found a change in diet (i.e., increase in fibre) to be helpful particularly if they a prone to suffering from constipation – constipation is a common medical cause of bedwetting. Currently the most popular method for treating bedwetting is the use of a conditioning alarm – this has the best success rate with approximately 75% of children achieving nighttime dryness within a few months (average times are 4 to 12 weeks). Remember each child is unique so what works for one will not necessarily work for another. In the meantime focus on building his self-esteem and self-confidence. Remind him that his bedwetting is not his fault and is much more common than he thinks – there would be at least one other person in his class whom also wets the bed.

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