1 1 Facebook PinterestVeerWetting the bed can be an embarrassing issue among kids, but it's actually very common. The National Institutes of Health states that nocturnal enuresis or nighttime incontinence (the medical terms for bedwetting) is involuntary urination after age 5 or 6, and that more than 5 million children experience it. According to the Mayo Clinic, 15 percent of children still wet the bed by age 5, but less than 5 percent of kids do so by ages 8 to 11. Bedwetting tends to run in families and is more common among boys than girls; experts estimate the ratio as roughly 2 boys to 1 girl. Although most children eventually outgrow this phase, here are eight steps you can take to help your child keep dry through the night.2 Solve Potty-Training Problems 2 Facebook PinterestWin Baby Gear! 3 3 Facebook PinterestImage Source Banish the BlameGetting angry with your little one and punishing him for wetting the bed will only add pressure to stay dry and will make the problem worse. "It's difficult to stop a child from wetting the bed, and you shouldn't worry about it unless he is embarrassed and asks you for help," says Scott J. Goldstein, M.D., an Instructor of Clinical Pediatrics at Northwestern University School of Medicine in Chicago.
Don't make a big deal out of it; offer some comfort instead. "Often, when parents don't talk about bedwetting, children think they are the only ones going through it," points out Howard J. Bennett, M.D., a pediatrician in Washington, D.C., and author of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Waking Up Dry. "Reassure your child that he is not alone, and that bedwetting is very normal among his age group."4 4 Facebook PinterestImage 100/Superstock Talk to the PediatricianTell your pediatrician about the bedwetting, so she can track your child's progress and offer suggestions for handling the situation. If your child is older than 5, or if the bedwetting starts abruptly, discuss if there is a reason why it's occurring, suggests Mark Wolraich, M.D., Director of the Child Study Center at University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Talk to your doctor about possible causes -- for instance, urinary tract infections, diabetes, or even stress -- and other possible reasons and medical solutions.
Keep in mind, though, that in many cases there isn't a physical reason for bedwetting. It's just a delay in the development of nighttime bladder control.5 5 Facebook Pinterest Encourage Bathroom Trips Before Their Bedtime -- and YoursMake sure your child goes to the bathroom before her bedtime, but also try carrying her to the bathroom again right before you go to bed. "When your child empties her bladder, there's less of a chance she'll have to urinate during the night," explains Dr. Goldstein. This technique won't "cure" bedwetting, so to speak, but it can be an effective way to keep the bed dry through the night. Some pediatricians also suggest limiting your child's intake of fluids a few hours before bedtime.6 6 Facebook PinterestKaysh Shinn Create an Incentives ChartConsider adding a positive incentive, which can work on a subconscious level, to help your child end bedwetting. For instance, make a grid chart or use a calendar, and give your child a sticker (like a shiny star or a happy face) every night he stays dry.
When he earns ten stickers (which might take longer for some kids, so have patience and continue to encourage them), he gets a small toy or a special treat, like a lollipop, for his progress. "The power of positive suggestion does work for some children," says Dr. Bennett. "But remember, in the case of bedwetting, the opposite of reward is not punishment."7 7 Facebook Pinterest Check for ConstipationConstipation is a common cause for bladder problems. When the rectum, located just behind the bladder, is filled with large or hard poop, there is more pressure on the bladder. This causes bladder instability, which, in turn, can lead to nighttime (or even daytime) accidents, explains Dr. Bennett. He suggests that parents get "back into the poop loop." If you notice that your child isn't having a daily bowel movement or if his stool is typically hard, increase his fluid and fiber intake. Apple juice, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are all good options to help ease constipation and get the system working better again.
8 8 Facebook PinterestBlaine Moats Consider Specific MedicationsMedication is also an option, but it has potential side effects. For instance, desmopressin, which reduces urine production, can cause headaches, facial flushing, nausea, and, in rare cases, severe water retention. Some medicine tends to control symptoms rather than cure bedwetting. "The second you stop the medication, the bedwetting might start again," says Dr. Bennett. Discuss with your pediatrician the types of prescription medication choices that are available.9 9 Facebook PinterestiStockphoto Purchase a Moisture AlarmA moisture alarm wakes your child the second he wets the bed. The interruption in sleep can condition the brain to control the bladder better and help prevent accidents. This method is about 75 percent effective, and tends to work when children themselves are ready to be dry. Facebook PinterestGreg Scheidemann Invest in a Waterproof MattressIf moisture alarms and medication aren't for you, you can try simpler measures: Make sure the bed has a waterproof mattress cover or pad and pillow cases, and stock up on Pull-Ups.
Nearly half of the infant crib deaths and two-thirds of bassinet deaths reported to CPSC each year are suffocations caused by pillows, thick quilts and/or overcrowding in the baby’s sleeping space. The safest place for a baby to sleep is in a safe crib. A safe crib is one that meets CPSC’s strong federal safety standards and is clear of clutter. That means no pillows, no heavy quilts, no thick blankets, no pillow-like stuffed toys or other large stuffed toys and no child carrying devices, recliners or sleep positioners. Many parents are aware of the Back-to-Sleep Campaign to reduce the risk of SIDS. Putting your baby to sleep on his or her back also helps prevent suffocation. Be sure to always place your baby on his/her back on a tight-fitting, firm, flat mattress or any surface that comes with the bassinet and play yard. Crib mattresses need to fit tightly, too. I use a pillow, why shouldn’t my baby? Babies and adults are different. A pillow can block a baby’s nose and mouth and can cause a baby to suffocate.
On average, there are 32 infant deaths a year on pillows used as mattresses or to prop babies’ heads. The majority of these deaths involve infants in their first three months of life. Parents can safely start using pillows for children who are 1½ years old, about the same age at which parents can safely move children out of the crib and either into a toddler bed or onto a mattress on the floor.My baby will be cold. If you’re worried about the temperature in your baby’s room, dress your baby in warm clothes. You can also put a thin blanket on your baby. Do not use thick blankets or quilts. Young babies can and do get their faces stuck in thick blankets and suffocate. Should I use a ‘sleep positioning’ device?CPSC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration began warning parents in September 2010 to stop using sleep positioners. There is currently no scientific evidence supporting medical claims that have been made regarding these products. CPSC and FDA are aware of 13 reports of infants between the ages of 1 and 4 months who died when they suffocated in these positioners or when they became trapped between a sleep positioner and the side of a crib or bassinet.
CPSC has also received dozens of reports of infants who were placed on their backs or sides in sleep positioners, only to be found later in potentially hazardous positions within or next to the sleep positioners. A major concern is the use of these products to keep a baby on its side, which is an unstable position. Infants placed on their sides are more likely to flip onto their stomachs because their backs are pressed against the side of the sleep positioning product. Because these products are designed to keep a baby from changing positions, infants who end up on their stomachs are then unable to free themselves. Young infants can suffocate because they don’t have the neck strength to move their heads. Is it safe to put a car seat, carrier, infant recliner or other item inside the crib with my infant in it?This is not a safe practice. Many of these items can tip over when placed on top of an uneven surface such as a mattress. Babies have also flipped over the side of these products and become wedged between them and other items in the crib.
Since 2003, CPSC is aware of at least 9 deaths of infants in car seats, carriers, infant recliners and bouncy seats that were placed on a soft surface such as a bed, crib, play pen, air mattress or sofa. Can I put toys in the crib/play yard/bassinet? An uncluttered sleeping space is the safest sleeping space for a baby. Again, Bare is Best. Toys attached to the sides of a crib should be securely attached to a single side. Make sure the toy does not contain any cords or straps that could wrap around a child’s neck. Avoid hanging crib toys with protruding parts that a child can use to pull themselves up and out of the crib or from which small parts might detach. Don’t fill your baby’s crib, play yard or bassinet with large toys or decorative or nursing pillows, thick blankets or comforters. This is particularly important for children who are 4 months and younger. Is there anything I need to know about my baby monitor? All baby monitors with cords and other corded items need to be placed at least 3 feet away from a crib.
CPSC knows of seven deaths and three near-strangulations since 2002 involving video and audio baby monitor cords. The monitors and cords were placed within a child’s reach. I use a bassinet. What should I look for in my bassinet to make sure it’s safe? CPSC is working on a new bassinet safety rule. Before buying or borrowing a bassinet, check this bassinet recall list to make sure the product has not been recalled. Make sure to follow the bassinet’s setup instructions and be sure that all fasteners are secure, including all snaps and Velcro. Use only the mattress supplied by the manufacturer for your specific bassinet and make sure that you assemble the bassinet properly. Improper assembly can lead to baggy or collapsed sides, gaps and openings that are dangerous areas in which babies can get trapped. Those play yard mattresses are so thin. Won’t my baby be uncomfortable on it? Play yard mattresses are thin for a reason. The play yard is a flexible structure.
Adding extra padding, foam or mattresses to the play yard can cause babies to suffocate in one of two ways: Use only the mattress that came with the play yard. Before buying or borrowing a play yard, check this playpen/play yard recall list to make sure that the product you are using has not been recalled. I don’t want my child to get out of the crib or play yard. Can I put a tent on it? Once a child is able to stand, do not use a tent with the crib or play yard. Crib tents are not made for, nor intended to, keep children in cribs and play yards. Children have become tangled and trapped in tents that were used to try to keep them in cribs and play yards. CPSC has received at least 27 reports of incidents involving tents used on cribs and play yards, including one death and one near death. CPSC recalled crib tents in May 2012. Do not use the recalled tents. I need to lift my baby’s head while he’s sleeping. Can I add extra bedding underneath the mattress to raise it?
Seek advice from your pediatrician or health care provider before placing your baby to sleep in a more vertical position. If your doctor advises you to raise a mattress, make sure that no gaps are formed anywhere around the perimeter of the mattress. Also, keep the angle low enough that your baby doesn’t roll or slide down the mattress. Should I use a bumper pad? Bare is best when placing a baby to sleep in a crib. By creating the toughest crib safety standards in the world and urging parents to keep pillows, quilts, heavy blankets, and sleep positioners out of the crib, CPSC has made great strides to ensure that babies and toddlers have a safe sleep. Agency staff has previously stated that overstuffed bumper pads can be hazardous and staff is currently re-examining the safety of all crib bumpers, in an effort to provide parents with our best advice. We respect the attention that a number of cities and states have given to the safety of bumpers, and we will continue to use the best science and data available to provide parents with advice that they can trust.