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Toilet training is a complex process that varies from child to child and should not be confused with bed wetting.
Bed wetting affects:
15% of 5-year-olds
5% of 10-year-olds
2% of 15-year-olds
Daytime wetting affects:
Around 3-4% of children between the ages of 4 and 12 years. |
Useful links
Once you have begun, consistency is the key. Removing the disposable nappy or pull-up is an excellent way to encourage toilet training as it allows the child to realise when they are weeing.
Use lots of praise and positive reinforcement. Don't be put off by little accidents. A negative response can prolong the process. Try using a star chart or other reward system to record and reward dry nights.
Keep up water intake and avoid fizzy or caffeinated drinks. If the process is taking longer than expected, resist putting your child back into nappies or pull-ups. Instead, protect their bedding with an absorbent waterproof bed pad. A child who wakes up during or after wetting the bed is developing the bladder to brain co-ordination needed for total bladder control. Simply remove the wet pad and put them back into bed. If you have two pads, replace the soiled with a clean one. If your child does not wake up, the pad will absorb the urine and they can sleep comfortably until morning.
Bed Wetting...
There are a number of possible causes. Some children haven't yet learnt to respond to cues from the bladder in their sleep. Other children haven't developed the hormone that slows urine production at night. Slight bladder instability can also cause leakage and constipation can sometimes be a factor.
Almost half the children with this problem have a close relative who wet the bed. If there is a history on both sides of the family, children have a 70 per cent chance of becoming bed wetters.
Some events may trigger a re-occurrence of bed wetting after the child has been dry for some time, such as the arrival of a new baby, a trauma or even simple changes to normal routines.
While it may be frustrating, remember: children do not wet the bed deliberately.
Going to the toilet before bed (twice in the same sitting if possible) is a good nightly habit. It is not recommended you wake your child during the night to toilet, when the child is not fully/naturally awake they are in effect still weeing in their sleep. It is crucial for children to learn to hold larger amounts of urine in their bladder.
Some children may continue to have problems into their teens. Older children find wearing nappies or pull-ups distressing and embarrassing. Using a bed pad is an excellent way to manage bed wetting. A bed pad protects expensive mattresses and enables your child to have sleepovers and attend camps with less anxiety. You may also consider waterproof protectors for extra security. (See our on-line shop for our full range of continence assistance products, or click here).
If bed wetting continues beyond the age of 6 or 7, we recommend you consult your family GP or a continence nurse located at most public hospitals or community health centres. Your health professional will ensure there is no medical reason for the bed wetting.
Browse our bed wetting assistance products.
Some helpful tips from the NZ Continence Association...
Ensure the child drinks well during the day. The recommendation for children is 6-8 glasses of water or water based cordial evenly spaced throughout the day (including 3-4 glasses while at school).
DRINKING LESS DOES NOT HELP as the bladder fills more slowly making it harder for the child to recognise a full bladder, reducing bladder capacity and causing the urine to be more concentrated, irritating the bladder wall.
Once the child is drinking more, encourage the child to pass urine at regular intervals (2.5 – 3 hourly) throughout the day. ‘Time Toileting’ or bladder retraining may be helpful to support this.
If the child is at school it is important to communicate with the child’s teacher about management during school hours.
If using rewards/incentives these need to be for something the child has control over e.g. drinking well, using the toilet. Reward them for sitting on the toilet regardless of the result as they will not be able to achieve dry pants initially.
Encourage them to take time to empty the bladder. Children whose legs don’t reach the floor will be able to relax the pelvic floor more effectively if they have a low stool for their feet. Ideally boys should stand on a low stool (if needed), make sure their pants are down properly and point the penis downwards into the toilet.
Double voiding can be useful. The child counts to 10 or 20 and tries to empty their bladder again.
Continence Foundation National Helpline
Tel: 0800 650 659 | www.continence.org.nz
