Bedwetting Punishment:
Is It A Good Idea?

Bedwetting punishment simply won't help your toddler bed wetting problem so the simple answer is No, it's not a good idea! Even though a wet bed during the night or morning is a nuisance for you to deal with children don't wet the bed while they are asleep because they want to.

Your child has a wet bed because their bladder was full and waking and getting up to go to the toilet is currently beyond their control - they have not yet reached that developmental milestone.

Bedwetting punishment will dent your child's confidence and lower their self-esteem and is more likely to make the bed wetting issue a bigger problem than it is.

Some parents want their child to change the wet bed in the belief that if the child knows the work involved in changing a bed they are less likely to wet the bed. This is a form of a punishment and should be avoided. It is not your child's fault that they have wet the bed. They simply could not help it.

Some parents suggest that their child help change the bed WITH them. Again if there is any inkling that they are having to change their bed as a punishment then this should be avoided. Helping with chores is one thing, doing chores as a punishment for something naughty that a child has done accidentally is not helpful to solve a bed wetting problem.

Instead of looking for a punishment, use your energy to be understanding and patient. Always remember that children do not enjoy waking up in a wet bed and feeling uncomfortable.

Try to keep cool and calm when you discover that your child's bed needs changing and that he needs a wash in the middle of the night.

If you are worried or you are losing patience (which happens to us all) and are finding your child's bedwetting problem difficult to cope with then do speak to your medical professional. Sometimes there is a medical reason for bedwetting and they may need to check that there are not any physiological problems causing the bed wetting.

Have a look at the causes of bedwetting and the statistics for bed wetting - it's very common.

Instead of looking for an appropriate bedwetting punishment try to deal with a wet bed as easily as you can to make the issue less of a burden for you and your child. Everyone will benefit.