4. Use waterproof sheet protectors
Whether your child is ready to take the leap of no nappies or they are a fully-fledged night-time-toilet-user, accidents are almost inevitable. And from someone who has been there, stripping the bed in the middle of the night is a nightmare to say the least. I mean who even knows where their spare sheets are in the middle of the night?! However, you can avoid this by using waterproof sheet protectors. They are different to mattress protectors as they go on top of the fitted sheet whereas a mattress protector goes underneath the fitted sheet. Sheet protectors are 100% waterproof and fully absorbent and when there is an accident, you simply whip them off and the entire bed stays perfectly dry and you don’t need to strip the bed. They will save you so much time and effort in those wee hours of the morning but will also save you on piles of washing. Bed Mates by The Midnight Gang are a great option as they are 100% plastic free and non toxic. They also come in a gorgeous range of prints and colours so that kids actually WANT to have them on their beds. Practical AND pretty…win win!
5. Be positive and encouraging!
This is probably the most important tip. Night-time bladder control is a process of maturation so no matter how hard your child tries, they have no control over this when they are asleep. So any accidents that might occur, no matter how frequent or infrequent, are not their fault and they need to know this. Having a chat with your child about what is happening in their bodies while they are sleeping is incredibly empowering for a child. When they know it’s a connection that their brain and bladder have to make while they’re asleep, they can relax knowing it is not in their power to control. Also, consistently remaining calm and positive will only help your child’s mental wellbeing and confidence. Feeling pressured for something they cannot control will only cause worry and even anxiety, which is not conducive to achieving success. Cool, calm and collected is the key!
If your child is showing interest in not wearing nappies at night, or if they are waking up with dry nappies 5+ days in a row, then it might be time to ditch the nappies and give night-time training a go. Follow the 5 tips above for the best chance at night-time success!
[1] https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/toilet-training
Visit The Midnight Gang website to browse their gorgeous range of waterproof sheet protectors. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
