Tip Of The Day - How To Stop Bedwetting

This week, a new online service, Bedwetting Buddy, launches to help families whose children regularly wet the bed.

It seems that this is a much more widespread issue than you might realise. Like nits, wet nights are an unspoken family problem that many people have to deal with.

In fact, research suggests that over 750,000 children in the UK accidentally wet their beds at night. According to figures published by the British Medical Journal, 20 of all 15-year-olds.

Also launched this week to help families is the book Stop Bedwetting in Seven Days by Alicia Eaton. Here are her top tips for achieving dry nights:

• If your child is continuing to be wet at night after the age of five, it's a good idea to have a check-up with your GP to rule out the possibility of any medical causes, such as an infection.
• For the majority of children, the cause is simply a case of habit, so don't automatically assume that there's an emotional reason behind the wet beds. However, if your child has been dry for several months or even years and suddenly starts having wet beds, first consult your GP and then have a think about whether a change at home or stress at school could be a contributory factor.
• After the age of five, it's best to remove any nappies or pull-ups worn at night and simply protect the mattress from now on. Your child's mind is more likely to make that vital mind/body link if he can actually feel the wetness as it happens.
• Make night-time changes easier by putting two layers of sheets on the bed and slipping an absorbent pad in between. If your child does wet in the night, you'll be able to remove the top layer leaving a dry ready-made bed for your child to climb back into.

• Avoid 'lifting' – waking your child at around 11pm and taking them to the loo just before you go to bed yourself is, in fact, 'training' them to not only release urine when they're half asleep, but also to develop a need to go to the toilet in the middle of the night.
• Avoid using 'reward systems' to encourage dry nights. Introducing treats such as money, toys or sweets will only distract your child at just the moment they need to be concentrating on their 'goal' - dry beds. There'll be plenty to reward your child once he becomes successful, such as worry-free sleepovers and school trips.
• Ensure the route to the bathroom is well lit at night, perhaps even leaving a light on in there. But do avoid night-lights in the bedroom itself – your child will experience a deeper, better quality sleep if the room is dark and this alone may ensure a dry night.
• Clear away clutter – your child needs to feel confident about getting up out of bed in the middle of the night should he need to use the bathroom. Check that the route is completely clear, without left-over toys getting in the way.
• Make the bathroom child-friendly and allow your child to choose some of the accessories, such as colourful handtowels. This will help them feel that this space belongs as much to them as to
  the adults in the house.
• Stay positive – remain encouraging and enthusiastic throughout this period of re-training. Avoid giving any negative feedback – even a raised eyebrow will let your child know that you're not happy. This will only make it harder for him to succeed as his 'self-image' will consist of feelings of failure. Remind your child of all the other things they were successful at learning, such as writing their name, tying shoelaces or hopping on one leg. This is just one more thing that they'll learn how to do.

Stop Bedwetting in Seven Days by Alicia Eaton is published on 21st September by MX Publishing and available here from Amazon

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