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Good Mornings
Bedwetting and Your Child
By Carma Haley Shoemaker
So how should a parent react to their child's bedwetting? Coleman suggests reacting with reassurance. "Empathy is crucial," says Coleman. "Let the child know that you understand that he/she is upset and help them to understand that they are not alone in having this problem. Reassure him or her that they are just as normal as other kids and that with help, they will overcome this problem, too. Offer to help. After the bed is wet say, 'OK, you pull off the sheets and I'll get a fresh set.' It is fine if the child prefers to make the bed alone – they may be embarrassed. It is also fine if the parent tells the child that he/she is to make it by him/herself if they are tired or very busy. However, making the bed should not be viewed as a punishment. The tone should not be scolding. Having to make a bed will not motivate a child to overcome enuresis."
Bedwetting is a different problem for different kids. For some, it is simply a phase they will outgrow. For others, professional help may be needed to overcome it. There are several things a parent can do at home in an attempt to work through bedwetting.
Dr. Sheldon says that one of the first steps in helping a child combat bedwetting is the limiting of fluids two hours before bedtime. As fluids build up as urine during the night, limiting the amount of fluids a child consumes before going to bed can often limit the number of "accidents" that occur. "Children who do not suffer from any conditions such as diabetes, a blood disorder or are prone to dehydration, limiting the amount of fluids consumed before bed will often decrease the occurrence of bedwetting," he says.