 Wetting the bed can put pressure on both the children and their parents, worry of
school trips, overnight stays and not to mention the laundry and
interrupted nights spent trying to overcome the problem. It is not unusual for children under the age of five to still be wet at night, or to have occasional wetting accidents in the day. We don’t fully understand why some children take longer than others to master the art of staying dry, but we know it is not linked to poor toilet training or laziness on the child’s part.
For most children the situation will resolve itself with the aid of a few simple measures. It is known there is a genetic link that suggests late toilet training and bedwetting can run in families. Other factors, such as
constipation and urinary tract infections are known to affect the bladder and should always be checked by your GP or health visitor, especially if the child wets during the day beyond the age of five.
For the one in seven children who wet the bed beyond the age of seven, a full assessment of the problem will help identify any possible physical factors and the school nurse or GP should be able to direct you to a specialist continence clinic or service.
Always remember bedwetting is never the child’s fault. Children have no conscious control over the bladder when they are asleep and bedwetting is not a result of a lack of toilet training from parents or behavioural concerns.
For more information, ideas or help ERIC is a fabulous free confidential helpline service for parents and children open Monday to Friday 10am–4pm 0845 370 8008 and an information text messaging service 447 624 811 636.
Our pick of bed wetting products
The Astric Dry-Bed Alarm
This alarm works in two parts, an extremely sensitive control unit which uses the latest electronic techniques and a light, comfortable detector pad which is placed over the mattress protector and a sheet, then covered with a smaller sheet – flanelette would be ideal (draw-sheet). Then you simply plug in the pad into the
control unit and as soon as the first few drops of urine touch the pad, the bed wetting alarm emits a loud humming tone that will awaken your little one. The equipment is battery powered.
Suavinet and B.sensible bedding
Bedding Industrial Beguda (B.I.B.) have developed a range of B.sensible and Suavinet waterproof bedding, that offers a new sleeping experience for everyone. The Suavinet and B.sensible ranges act like a second skin. The 100% natural fibre Tencel, obtained from wood pulp cellulose, is uniquely bonded with a thin, stretchable, virtually undetectable membrane.
The bedding is as soft as silk, cool as linen, warm as wool and infinitely more absorbent than cotton. 2 in 1 fully fitted sheets are available where no other sheets or mattress protector is required. Other benefits include optimum comfort for the skin, fabric that regulates the body temperature is breathable, hypoallergenic-
(clinically proven to be suitable for those with sensitive skin, asthma,eczema and rhinitis), offers a natural barrier against dust mites etc and is virtually noiseless – no nasty plastic sheets! Both are eco- friendly – 99.5% of solvents used are recovered and reused in the manufacturing process. Wood pulp obtained
from sustainable sources. Tencel contains no pesticides or agricultural chemicals, is available in a wide range
of colours and comes with a10-year guarantee!
The Suavinet range is for babies and toddlers, and the B.sensible range is for older children and the grown-ups. The bedding has so many qualities that everyone can benefit from it, not only does it protect your expensive mattresses (including memory foam) but it is so comfortable and smooth that a better nights sleep is almost guaranteed.
B.I.B. developed the product over a period of 3 years in cooperation with Lenzing; the Austrian producers of Tencel. They will continue to look at expanding the product range and to introduce more innovative products.
Brolly Sheets
Another great waterproof mattress protector on the market we’ve found is from Brolly Sheets. Their motto is 'Wee accidents' are no drama. Each of their mattresses are uniquely designed to fit over the top of a bottom
sheet making them extremely easy to change and everyone can be back to bed in seconds, without the need to turn on the lights and change the whole bed saving you time, washing and your sanity! We also love the way these sheets are as soft as normal sheets to sleep on due to their 100% cotton top. Plus they can
be machine-washed and tumble dried. Your child will also have fun picking out a sheet for their bed, as the sheets are available in five colours and several sizes.
Super Nanny's top SEVEN tips:
TV’s Super Nanny gives her top tips to help your child stop wetting the bed:
1 Before you start, make it clear to your child you’re not cross, you’re just trying to help, and make sure you listen and get her on board with any new measures.
2 If you suspect that the bedwetting is stressrelated– if there’s a change in family structure,you’ve moved home or your child is experiencing bullying, for example – try to work on this anxiety before you start on a new regime.
3 Staying dry and exercising control over the bladder (using her pelvic floor muscles) during the day might help – give her a timer or a watch with an alarm and see if you can prolong time between her toilet trips by 10 minutes each day.
4 Offer sips of drinks from about 4pm and nothing at all to drink one and a half hours before bedtime.
5 Try to avoid putting your child in pull-ups or a nappy – it might help that they can feel when they’re wet at night time.
6 Once your child wets the bed, ask her to help you change herself and the bed sheets, remembering to stay sympathetic and gentle.
7 Make sure you have the right protective sheeting.
Education and Resource Centre:
www.eric.org.uk
Super Nanny:
www.supernanny.com
Astric Medical:
www.astric-medical.co.uk
Brollysheets:
www.brollysheets.co.uk
Suavinet and B.sensible:
www.suavinet.com
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