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Nothing is more taboo in parenting circles than bed wetting. It’s one of those problems that elicits a plethora of advice from well-meaning parents of children who do not bed-wet! As much as this is infuriating for the parents of children who do have this issue, that annoyance is eclipsed by the feelings of inadequacy and failure which parents of serial bed-wetter’s already feel. So, first things first.
Never presume that every effort to address the problem has not already been explored by the family involved and the same rules apply as with sleeping babies. If you have a baby who sleeps through the night, be happy but be quiet. If you have children and never experienced bed wetting, be happy but be quiet!
It won’t last forever
If your child has nocturnal enuresis, or accidental loss of urine during sleep, they are not alone. A quick trip down the nappy aisle of any major supermarket will reveal the need for sleepwear products designed for older children. In fact 15% of all children suffer from bed wetting at one time or another. The HSE are clear in their advice that bed wetting is normal in children under 5 years of age and quite common in older children.
The good news is that as a child grows, their bladder capacity also grows, the need to urinate lessons and they learn to wake up when the need arises, so they are likely to stop bedwetting as time passes. If you are worried about bed-wetting, it is advisable to seek professional advice and, of course, there are a few classic dos and don’ts.
1. Never make the child feel embarrassed about bed-wetting.
2. Do not punish or reward. It is not their fault and they cannot control the situation.
3. Encourage normal drinking of fluids as it is important to recognise a full bladder.
4. Make sure your child eats enough fruit and veg as it prevents constipation, which can cause bed wetting.
5. Stay calm and invest in a good under sheet and pull up pants to eliminate the stress of cleaning up.
6. Encourage your child to change the sheets with you. This is a family issue which you are openly and calmly handing together.
7. Ensure child uses the loo before bed and leave a light on in case they need to get up during the night.
8. Don’t use a waking strategy. This is a short term answer.
9. Seek professional advice or a referral to a enuresis advisor if you feel
Bed wetting has been an issue for parents and children for generations. As such, we need to take a gentle and realistic approach. It is a temporary problem but if it is not treated with common sense and respect in the childhood years, it may leave psychological scars for the adult. Stress and anxiety can be responsible for the start of bed wetting, but can also make it worse. So Stay calm and carry On Being the wonderful Parent you know you are!