Bedwetting (medical name: enuresis) is not a disease. It is a common affliction that affects millions of children. There are a wide variety of misconceptions and treatments that will help children and parents alike.

Primary amongst all the various treatments is that parents remember that children rarely wet the bed on purpose. It is critical that parents not heap shame and criticism on their children. Instead, encourage them and let them know that you have faith in them that they will soon sleep through the night without wetting the bed. Most enuresis resolves on its own.

Parents with children who wet the bed often have to deal with frequent urine stains and odors on mattresses. In addition, oftentimes, children have a hard time “holding it” and other “accidents” will occur throughout the home.

We recommend waterproof sheets and that the child wear GoodNite® pull-up diapers to bed at night. This will limit much of the aggravation of cleaning up after urine stains and odors.

There are a variety of safe, non-toxic enzyme based products that will remove these stains and odors so parents can breathe easy about clean up. Our favorite product is called KIDS ‘N’ PETS® Stain & Odor Remover. It is an enzyme product that removes urine stains and odors completely instead of just masking the urine odors. It is readily available at most supermarkets and national discount chains like Target® and Wal-Mart®. There are also other products available that work on urine stains and odors that are sold in pet stores.

When cleaning up urine stains and odors on mattresses, it is important to completely saturate the stain/odor area. Urine penetrates the mattress and spreads so make sure that you use enough of your enzyme treatment to reach all of the urine. It is recommended that the mattress be treated in the morning and allowed to dry during the day. In the evening, flip the mattress over as it may not yet be completely dry.

Having children help with the cleanup teaches the children responsibility and is not a form of punishment. Have them help you with cleaning up the wet sheets, treating the mattress and placing fresh new sheets on the bed. Stay positive at all times and let your kids know that wetting the bed is normal.