Bedwetting or nocturnal enuresis is common among school-age kids and is the misery of most, especially during sleepover invites. Help your kid to end this embarrassing issue with these helpful tips.
The National Institutes of Health said that more than 5 million children aged 5 and up suffer from nighttime incontinence or bedwetting as Parenting.com reported. That's 15 percent of children bedwetting by age 5 according to Mayo Clinic. The rate lowers down to less than 5 percent by ages eight to 11.
The website also says that bedwetting is more common among young boys than in girls; ratio goes two boys is to one girl. While kids generally outgrow this stage, here are some tips you can help your kid overcome this dilemma:
1. Stop Blaming the Kid
Putting pressure on your child will just make bedwetting worse. Don't get angry and avoid punishing him, Parents.com advised. Try to reassure your child that this is just a normal phase and he is not alone in dealing with this. Don't make a big deal out of a normal situation, instead offer some comfort.
For nights that they successfully remained dry, reward your kid. It could be a small toy or a simple treat out to the park. This positive approach works better than punishing the kid, creating unnecessary trauma.
2. Urinary Bed Alarms
This is considered as the most effective tool in bedwetting treatment. It includes a moisture sensor and an alarm. The moisture alarm wakes up your kid as soon as the device detects moisture. It will prompt your kid to wake up and go to the bathroom instead. The interruption in sleep can train the brain to control bladder better.
A study published in the Journal of Paediatric Child health revealed that 79 percent of 505 children who used bed alarms was able to achieve being dry within 10 weeks. Around 73 percent were dry six months later.
3. Seek Professional Help
There are many misconceptions about bedwetting. Some parents believe that bedwetting is due to laziness or spite, a common misunderstanding about the strange phenomenon, WebMD reported. According to Dr. Howard J. Bennett, a paediatrician in Washington and author of "Waking Up Dry", bedwetting mostly runs in families; a child outgrows the phase at the same time their parents did.
A study published in the Journal of Urology revealed that children following their doctor's advice about bedwetting were found to recover faster than those children whose parents provided their own treatment. So a simple recommendation from the doctor is simple: limit fluids at night and eliminating caffeine. You may also encourage your kid to pee before going to sleep.
So seek your doctor's help for more tips and to rule out any medical condition. It is important to be understanding and offer reassurance to your child. For more tips, check out the video below:
