Some unfortunate side effects of bedwetting include loss of sleep, anxiety, and feelings of failure. It's normal for both bedwetting children and their parents to be affected in this way. If you're the parent or caregiver of a child who wets the bed, take steps to try to alleviate your stress.
- Think positively. In most cases, bedwetting is a problem that can be corrected. If you have a good attitude, your child will pick up on it and hopefully follow your example; if your child feels like there's an end in sight, her anxiety level will go down as well.
- While active parent participation is essential for successful bedwetting treatment, especially at the beginning of the process, giving your child some responsibility can both empower her and help alleviate some of your stress. If your child is old enough, and once she becomes able to wake up to a moisture-sensing alarm on her own, encourage her to get up to go to the bathroom and change her protective bedding and undergarments independently.
- Your child can learn to double-void (urinate twice within 20-30 minutes) before bed, make sure the alarm is turned on and place the waterproof pad on top of the sheet to catch any urine.
- Be prepared. Make sure that you have an easy path to your child's room and the bathroom and keep protective bedding, undergarments, and towels close at hand. Having everything you need at the time of the accident will make the cleanup quicker and easier.
- Know that life can sometimes throw a wrench in the best laid plans. Taking a break during vacation or overnight visits is okay. Just use a back-up plan, such as disposables or waking your child when you go to the bathroom. Restart the alarm training when you return home.
- There is no room for punishment when dealing with bedwetting. Kids have no control over events that happen while they are asleep. It can be frustrating for parents who have more laundry burden, more planning ahead for travel and more feelings of “doing something wrong” by not getting their child to dryness. However, punishment does not eliminate the wetting and can even make it worse.
