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Bed-Wetting

July 3, 2008

Although we all know that everyone learns to stop bed-wetting, it can be stressful teaching your child how to stay dry through the night. If your child still bed-wets, then either your child is a deep, deep sleeper or he still feels the need to urinate at night. So what to do??

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Photo by Asif Ahmed

Since bedwetting can damage a child’s self-image and confidence, it is crucial that you avoid being judgmental and remain supportive. You should reassure your child that bedwetting is a relatively common problem (5 to 7 million children in the United States are affected by it,) and that you know they will succeed in learning how to stay dry.

Here are some tips to consider.
BEFORE GOING TO SLEEP: Do not give your child anything to drink in the 2 hours before bedtime. Also, have your child go to the bathroom before getting into bed.

REASSURANCE AND PATIENCE: Reassure and encourage your child often. Do not make an issue out of the bedwetting each time it happens.


PRESERVE THEIR SELF-ESTEEM: No one should be allowed to tease the child about the bedwetting, including those outside the immediate family. Do not discuss the bedwetting in front of other family members.

REWARD YOUR CHILD FOR STAYING DRY: A system of sticker charts and rewards works for some children. The child gets a sticker on the chart for every night of remaining dry. A certain number of stickers earns a reward.

ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO TAKE CONTROL: Reassure your child that you want to help him or her overcome the problem, but that it is his problem to take control of. Have your child help in the clean-up process and talk to him about the strategies for staying dry.

SET A GOAL FOR YOUR CHILD OF GETTING UP AT NIGHT: Instead of focusing on making it through the night dry, help your child understand that it is more important to wake up every night to use the toilet.

BE PRACTICAL ABOUT THE CLEAN UP: Use washable absorbent sheets, waterproof bed covers, and room deodorizers.

CONSIDER USING DIAPERS OR PULL UPS AT NIGHT: Some believe that you should avoid using diapers or pull-ups at home because they can interfere with the motivation to wake up and use the toilet. Others argue that pull-ups help the child feel more independent and confident. Talk to your child’s doctor to determine what is best for your child.

ALETRNATIVES TO SIMPLE TRAINING:

- BEDWETTING ALARMS- As a mother and a pediatrician I think alarms can be potentially humiliating to a child. In general, alarms would not be my first resort, although they may be effective for certain families.

- DDAVP- A very effective method of managing bedwetting can be drug therapy, with careful monitoring under the supervision of a Pediatrician who can explain and then look for certain side effects. If you feel that your child is a good candidate for drug therapy, discuss it with your child’s pediatrician.

Posted by NatalieGeary | Filed Under Dr Geary 

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