Getting your toddler out of nappies can be tough, but it’s something you have to do in order for your little one to learn how to stay dry through the night. It can be tempting to leave nappies on for longer than necessary, but it’s better to be brave and take them off. During this time, be prepared for bed wetting.
Bed wetting is a natural part of development - approximately one in 12 children in the UK regularly wet the bed. But the condition can be embarrassing for your child, so as a parent the best thing to do is be supportive.
Very few children under the age of three will be dry every night. Most children will naturally grow out of this condition by the age of six. Here are some simple top tips in order to keep your child’s self-esteem on top form during this age of development:
• Reassure your child that bed wetting is normal – remind her that you once had the same issue and eventually outgrew it. Help her to understand that she is the one responsible for staying dry at night.
• Encourage your child often – praise her when she doesn’t wet the bed, but don’t make it a big issue each time your child wets the bed, instead be patient and supportive.
• Avoid blaming or punishing your child as they cannot control bed wetting – blaming and punishing will only make the problem worse.
• Make sure that no one else in your family, including those outside the immediate family, teases your child. There’s no need to discuss the issue in front of other family members, this will just make your child more upset.
• Increase comfort by making clean-up easy, through the use of washable absorbent sheets, waterproof bed covers and air fresheners for the room.
Are there any ways to prevent bed wetting?
One of the most common bits of advice for a parent is to reduce your child’s fluid intake two hours before bedtime. However, some experts say that this will just mean your child will wet the bed with less fluid, not stop bed wetting altogether. Instead, make sure the route to the toilet is easy for your little one to navigate at night – perhaps through the use of a nightlight in the room, and a potty next to her bed.
Don’t forget to make the toilet the last stop before you take your child to bed. You could also set an alarm for set times during the night so you can take her to the toilet. Getting used to this routine will enable your child to control her bladder more easily.
Praise your child for staying dry through the night. A good way to do this is by using a rewards chart, with a sticker for each night of remaining dry. After a certain number of stickers, your child knows she will earn a reward, encouraging her to make an active effort to stay dry.
Are there any other issues that can cause bed wetting?
Yes. Sometimes, bed wetting is due to other issues, such as stress, an infection or constipation.
Check the frequency, ease of passing and consistency of your child’s poo to make sure constipation isn’t the issue. You can prevent constipation through a high-fibre diet of fruits, vegetables and grains, as well as by drinking plenty of water.
If your child has a fever, belly ache or pain when she urinates, she may have an infection – take your child to the doctor if you think this may be the case.
Stress may be caused by your child thinking she is the only one with this problem, so make sure she understands how common the issue is. After not-so dry nights, bathe your child before she goes to school as the smell of urine can linger and your child may be stressed because of teasing going on in the playground.
When should you consult expert help?
As mentioned earlier, bed wetting is very common and most children will naturally grow out of it before they reach the age of six. However, as your child gets older you may be concerned that bed wetting is still an issue. If so, go to your doctors to discuss this further. Your doctor may be able to tell without doing any tests as to whether your child has a medical issue or not.
There are some forms of medication that your doctor can prescribe for bed wetting, but these are usually short-term solutions, for situations such as sleepovers or holidays.
It can take a little while, but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with your child wetting the bed when growing up. Support your child as best you can, by making sure you stay positive and non-judgemental and she’ll soon be able to attend sleepovers without keeping either of you up all night worrying.
Culled from Boundless people.com
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