Random Thoughts

Does Your Child Wet the Bed?

It’s a common problem, but one that parents and children alike don’t want to talk about. Bedwetting (also known as enuresis) is usually caused by an underdeveloped urinary system causing the release of urine during the night when the child is in a deep sleep. The fact that their child isn’t the only one that experiences this doesn’t make it any less frustrating for the parent or less embarrassing for the child.

Parents are often frustrated because they have to change wet sheets in the middle of the night on a fairly regular basis, oftentimes nightly. They also have to worry about the mattress being damaged and what bedwetting does to their child. The child is embarrassed because their problem prevents them being a “normal” kid and being able to spend the night at friend’s houses or go for birthday sleepovers. They think they’ll never outgrow it.

Do your best not to get upset with them over it. It’s not their fault. Do not punish them by making them change their sheets or yelling at them! Your child probably already feels self-conscious and embarrassed about it. Instead, you want to reassure them that they aren’t alone and there is nothing wrong with them. It will stop when their urinary system is mature enough.

Here are 7 tips to use to help your child’s bedwetting problems:

*Limit liquids in the evening. Let them drink what they like during the morning and daytime, but slow down on beverages the closer it gets to bedtime.

*Limit caffeine. This is a good idea to help them sleep, but limiting caffeine, especially in the evening, can also affect bedwetting.

*Make sure that your child goes to the bathroom before bed.

*Set an alarm to get up in the middle of the night & take your child to the bathroom.

*Use a reward chart. This may help encourage your child to keep trying. Place a sticker on the chart for every dry night. Give them something to look forward to when they stay dry. Possibly a treat or special privilege.

*Find and use bed wetting alarms. These are placed under the child and go off at the first sign off wetness. The idea is to wake the child enough that they can get up to use the restroom and avoid wetting the bed further.

*Pull-ups can be used for younger children. Recently they’ve created this type of undergarment for older children, too. They may not be inexpensive, but they can do a lot to help your child’s self-esteem until they can stop wetting the bed on their own.

To get more information on your child’s bedwetting and tips to help stop it be sure to pick up your copy of the Mom’s Talk eBook’s Guide to Stopping Your Child’s Bedwetting.