Bed Wetting Not Easy For Parents and Child

Bed wetting, also known as sleep enuresis, is problematic not only for the child but also for the family members.

Parents agree that bed wetting ranks third sleep disorder in terms of stressors [Stress and Stressors] on the family.

It is an issue many families face every night. It is common under the age of five but sometimes it continues after the age of five.

Primary bed wetting occurs if the child has never been dry at night or is only occasionally dry at night. Secondary bed wetting occurs after a child has been dry at night for a prolonged period.

Kidney or bladder disorder and emotional situation is the rare cause of bed wetting. The parents should remember that children do not voluntarily wet the bed. Kids feel embarrassed and guilty about bed wetting.

Children do not participate in social activities that require sleeping outside their home. They often suffer from self image and their feelings can be greatly affected by the attitudes of their parents who feel that their efforts to stop the bed wetting have failed.

Parents feel embarrassed, angry and frustrated about their child’s bed wetting condition. Parents should support their child and help them to get rid of their negative feelings. Parents should show positive attitude towards their children about bed wetting.

Bed wetting usually goes on its own. But until that it can be uncomfortable to the child and parent. Parents should assure the child that bed wetting is common and it disappears as they grow up.

Sleep enuresis runs in families. If both the parents of the child wet the bed when they were young, then it is likely that the child too wet the bed.

How parents should help their child?

• You should tell to your child that they have not done anything wrong or bad. Assure them that they are not alone and many of them in their age wet the bed.
• Remember your child before going to bed to go to bathroom.
• Encourage your child to hold off going to bathroom as long as he can during daytime. First ask him to control for few minutes and gradually increase the time to control. This helps the child to get used to holding at night while increasing bladder muscles.
• Do not punish or scold your child if he wets the bed.
• Try to limit the liquid intake before going to bed.
• When your child wakes up with wet sheets and clothes, ask them to change their sheets and clothes. It becomes a habit and they will feel better changing their clothes and sheets without depending on anyone.
• Bed wetting alarm is useful to treat sleep enuresis. The alarm consists of a sensor that is attached to the outside of bed clothing. When the child begins to wet the bed, the alarm wakes the child and he will go to bathroom and get back to sleep. As it takes many weeks to work, parents and family members should support for the long term success.