Many parents go through a lot of stress when their school-aged children still wet the bed. It is very common to feel frustrated, but beating or shouting at the child does not solve the problem. In fact, medically it shows that pressure makes the issue worse.
In this article, Tribune Online examines the practical, stress-free steps parents can take to manage and reduce bedwetting in school-aged children supportively without losing peace at home.
Understanding the facts about bedwetting
According to a clinical study published by the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, about 23.2% of primary school children in Nigeria experience bedwetting, with the condition being much more common in boys.
This medical condition is known as nocturnal enuresis. It is usually not the child’s fault because their bladder nerves and brain connections are still growing and maturing.
Adjust your child’s daily fluid timing
One of the easiest ways to start is by regulating when your child drinks water. Let them drink enough water during the daytime so they stay healthy and hydrated.
However, you should completely stop all heavy drinks, water, and milk at least one to two hours before bedtime. This simple shift reduces the amount of urine their kidneys produce while they are fast asleep.
Stop sugary and caffeinated drinks in the evening
Do not give your child sweet soft drinks, tea, cocoa beverages, or chocolate snacks in the evening.These items contain sugar and caffeine, which act as diuretics.
This means they irritate the bladder and force the body to produce urine much faster than usual. Stick to plain water during the daytime instead.
Set a double-voiding bedtime routine
Make it a strict habit for your child to use the toilet twice before sleeping. Have them urinate once when starting their bedtime preparation, and then empty their bladder one more time right before they close their eyes to sleep.
This double-voiding method ensures that the bladder is completely empty, giving them a much better chance of staying dry until morning.
Protect their self-esteem and avoid punishment
Bedwetting is an involuntary action, meaning the child has no control over it and is completely asleep when it happens.
Punishing, shaming, or comparing them to their mates only builds fear and anxiety, which triggers more bedwetting. Instead, praise their effort to follow these new habits and assure them that they will outgrow it with time.