Children wet the bed for a variety of reasons. Some may be dreaming they are on a toilet while others simply lack the ability to feel their bladder is full. Bedwetting is often a heretical condition, formally known as nocturnal enuresis. It is a common condition, and 10-percent of children will wet the bed after age 5. Some children may need clinical assistance, although in most cases it is possible to train a child not to wet the bed.
Instructions
1. Assist your child with bladder exercises during the day. For example, suggest the child wait a little longer than usual before urinating. Set a timer for up to one minute after your child informs you that he needs to go to the bathroom. Alternatively, keep an eye on your watch or any other clock in the room. Assist the child to the restroom after time runs out. This will exercise the transitional cells in urinary sediment to optimize control.
2. Suggest that your child read books about staying dry at night. You may also choose to incorporate these types of books in any nightime reading you do with your child. Many books are available at your local library with bedwetting themes.
3. Lead your child through an imagination exercise where by he imagines a dry bed. This exercise will stimulate the brain both consciously and subconsciously, and help the brain solidify urinary functions.
4. Attach a moisture sensor alarm to your child's bed with a vibration or buzzing effect. This mechanism will wake even the deepest of sleepers once liquid is detected and will give your child a chance to get up and go to the bathroom. Moisture sensors are available at most stores that sell additional items to help with toilet training.
5. Wake your child once every night to use the bathroom. If bedwetting persists, wake him more often throughout the night. If bedwetting lessens, wake the child less.
6. Refrain from giving your child beverages with caffeine or carbonation within one hour of bedtime. Both caffeine and carbonation stimulate bodily functions.
7. Allow your child to sleep at a friend or relative's house with whom he feels comfortable. Often, the brain consciously restricts the flow of urine when the child is not in his usual bed. In theory, different environments encourage different results.
8. Abstain from using diapers on your child. This practice encourages nightly episodes because the child may urinate at any time, and it is both comfortable and easily cleaned.
9. Check with your doctor if bedwetting persists. It may be the result of a medical conditions such as a bladder infection or diabetes. Bedwetting may also be an indicator of stress and anxiety. As such, do not scold for bedwetting -- this may make the situation worse.
10. Practice patience with your child through this learning process. It is common for a child to take three to four months to get control of their bodily functions. Be supportive at every stage of this process.
Tags: your child, your child, with your, bedwetting persists, bodily functions
