How to Stop Bed-Wetting

The bond between a parent and child is insurmountable. Based on implicit trust, it can be one of the strongest and most treasured of all relationships. When trust is broken, however, due to unnecessary shame and guilt placed on a child because of bed-wetting, the damage can follow the child for the rest of his life.

Children are very sensitive and should not be punished or put down for wetting the bed. If we can imagine how it feels when someone belittles us, it is not difficult to see how harmful it can be to a small child.

Most children grow out of bed-wetting over time, but while you are waiting for that moment to occur, here are 5 tips that will help you and your child survive this difficult period.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Patience & Love
• Bed Wetting Alarm
• Water-proof rubber pad

1. 

   The first step is to be realistic. According to Ann Price, educational coordinator of the National Academy of Nannies, do NOT make a big deal out of bed-wetting. She tells readers "just change the bed and don't say a word. It'll go away by itself. Kids don't do it on purpose, so don't praise them when they are dry or punish them when they are wet."

2. 

   The second step helps to reduce the psychological stress that the child experiences due to bed-wetting. Price recommends that the room be arranged so that the child can change the sheets himself when he soils them. Before the child's bedtime, leave a spare set of sheets on a chair in the bedroom, along with a dry pair of pajamas. Another tip, purchase a waterproof pad so that if the bed gets wet, he can lay the pad over the wet part of the bed. This entire process gives the child a sense of independence so that he does not feel like a "baby".

3. 

   According to Bryan Shumaker, M.D., a urologist at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac, Michigan, a bed-wetting alarm can work wonders to stop bed-wetting. It functions by emitting a very loud buzz or ring when the child becomes wet. The theory, based on behavioral conditioning, is that the loud sound will condition the child to wake up when he needs to urinate. Eventually, the bed-wetting will be inhibited and the feeling of a full bladder will become the signal for the child to wake up. Dr. Shumaker believes that most children respond to this type of conditioning within 60 days.
   
   There are many alarms available on the market today, and most run on hearing aid batteries that boast moisture sensors that are directly attached to the child's underwear. Shumaker says that bed-wetting is considered a thing of the past when the child remains dry for 21 nights in a row.

4. 

   Linda Jonides, a pediatric nurse practitioner for Ann Arbor, Michigan, states that "the child's daytime pattern is one in which he goes to the bathroom fairly often". If this is the case, then bladder stretching exercises may work".
   
   Bladder training is done by having the child drink plenty of fluids during the day while practicing bladder control. By refraining from urination for as long as possible, the bladder is thus trained to hold itself.

5. 

   According to Dr. Shumaker, "Understand that all kids outgrow bed-wetting at a rate of 15% a year" What this boils down to is that by the time kids go through puberty, less than 1-2% will still wet the bed.". The bottom line, be patient, loving and supportive to your kids. Know that no child wants to wet the bed. It is unpleasant, to say the least.
   
   If parents are patient and supportive, this will give the child a greater sense of security which will ultimately allow him to transition from bedwetting to a full, sleep-through, dry night.

Tips & Warnings

• If bed-wetting persists, see your doctor to make sure it is not due to a medical problem.
• Don't ever punish your child for wetting the bed. This can be considered emotional abuse.

[greatgreat8]

on 6/14/2009 thanks for the information

[longhairqueen]

on 10/25/2008 I like your sensitivity to the subject, kids need that. your article just informed me of how that bladder alarm that I've heard of before works. Good article.

[longhairqueen]

on 10/25/2008 I like your sensitivity to the subject, kids need that. your article just informed me of how that bladder alarm that I've heard of before works. Good article.

[MichaelJMotta]

on 4/17/2008 D, I sure am glad you're sympathetic to bed-wetters because I can turn a feather-bed into a duck pond in no time! Let's have a sleep-over! ;)