Bed wetting is not only an embarrassing situation for the child; it is embarrassing for parents too. It prevents them from staying overnight at any place outside their house. Most parents think that their child being a deep sleeper is a bed wetter. Bed wetting is infact a more complicated problem with its root in psychological, medical, behavioral and environmental causes. Genetics also plays an important role in bed wetting.
Parents find no other solution than waking up children 2 – 3 times at night for emptying their bladder or restricting the intake of water and liquid in the evening time. But any of these solutions cannot help in treating the root cause of the problem.
Solution
Problem of bed wetting can be solved by taking some encouraging steps by parents and the child.
• Punishing and scolding the child for bed wetting can’t bring solution to the problem because the act is beyond their control. Gain the trust of your child and listen to his/her fears and concerns. Show your concern and without embarrassing him, help him to clean up. Assure him help to overcome this problem. Gradually the child will gain confidence, and minimizing sleep disruption will overcome the problem slowly.
• Guide your child in controlling urination and making him understand the benefits of remaining dry. Build his confidence by giving him responsibility to complete some tasks. Help him develop the habit of going to the toilet regularly so that child develops control over his bladder
• Your assurance that he or she will not be scolded or teased will lesson his or her stress. Stress is a major cause of bed wetting. Help him build self-confidence and self respect by knowing his problems as he may be facing in school or among friend. Try to alleviate this concern, unless it can become a bigger problem.
• Consult your doctor. If the problem is psychological, the doctor will suggest some ways to deal with. Alternatively, your physician may prescribe medicines which can help the child to hold urine throughout the night. He may suggest some techniques to train and strengthen the bladder to hold urine for longer period.
• The most common solution for parents of a bed wetter is the use of a bed wetting alarm. There are different types of alarm available in the market. Your doctor can suggest the most suitable one for your child. These alarms effectively function and sound the alarm as soon as leakage of urine starts. Some of these alarms have vibrators for deep sleepers. Initially children will need parents help but as children are good learner, they will use the alarm themselves and save themselves from embarrassment also. Gradually they will follow the routine, and there will be no need to use alarm to keep them dry.
With the support from caring parents, and determined child, it is not very difficult to overcome the problem of bed wetting.
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