Is there anything a child can take over the counter to help bed wetting?

Children younger than 6: There are no approved home remedies for children younger than 6.

Children ages 6 and older: For older children, talk to your doctor before trying any of the following:

* Limit fluids. Cut down on giving your child fluids – especially fluids that contain caffeine like soda – about two hours before bedtime.

* Double voiding. After they use the toilet right before bed, have your child sit down again about five minutes later and try to go again; this ensures that your child has completely emptied their bladder.

* Bladder training. Help your child learn what “I have to go” feels like by having them stop what they are doing and try to go to the toilet whenever they feel the urge.

* Reward system. Offer rewards – like stickers or verbal praise – when your child successfully wakes up dry. You could also add on small gifts, such as a new toy or a trip to the park. Make sure you aren’t too restrictive with the rewards, or they may lose their effectiveness.

* Moisture alarms. This device lets you know when your child wets the bed so that you can wake them up to go to the bathroom.

If your child has other symptoms along with bedwetting, like a frequent urge to urinate or stomach pain, be sure to take them to the doctor. They may have an underlying medical condition.

Keep in mind that bedwetting is often part of a child’s normal development, so be patient with them.