These questions can help steer you in the right direction.

1.)   Does he/she live with you or someone else?

2.)   Is he/she a hard sleeper? (hard to wake up or snore often & loudly)

Question #1

Does he/she live with you or someone else?

There are several reasons I ask this

Ø      The primary caregiver would have more information about the child.

Ø      Sometimes when parents are separated or divorced there isn’t a clear line of communication about what is being tried to stop bedwetting and that can confuse a child. If this is the case take the time to write down what you have been doing then talk (if possible), or have them write what they have tried as well. You may be giving conflicting information to the child.

Ø      If you are a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or a concerned friend it’s great to get information to share with the parents. We offer so many different products that can help and it’s nice to receive a gift that can send a positive message that you are there to help them in any way you can. This can open the discussion up so that everyone is able to talk about what can help the child. If the parents are open to getting help then do what ever you can, but if they want to do things their way PLEASE respect their rights as parents to raise their child they way they feel is best. By having others constantly telling them what they “HAVE” to do will undermine parenting skills, self-confidence in themselves as parents and can make the child self-conscious about it as well. We want to help them not humiliate and hurt them.

Question # 2

Is he/she a hard sleeper? (Hard to wake up or snore often & loudly)

Ø      Hard sleepers:

•  Can be very difficult to wake up
•  Will sleep through loud noises
• Being moved in the night, (both carried or even guided while walking)
• Will not wake easily - even with a parent yelling at them to get up
• They do not realize their body need to use the bathroom

I have seen that children like this are more likely to wet the bed into their teens because they do not have the ability to wake up enough to use the toilet when needed.

We have a Bed Wetting Alarm that helps train kids that are hard sleepers to wake up when they have an accident so that over time they can wake up on their own when their bodies tell them. This bed wetting alarm offers a variety of alarm settings: volume control, tones (e.g. beeping, buzz), and vibration. The alarm can be set for alarm and/or vibration features that you can be customized to fit your child’s needs. No Drugs just helping them train their brain; some kids don't get it until their teens so don't give up.

Ø      If they snore often & loudly this could be caused by a few things but you will need to see a Dr. for proper treatment.

• The child could have enlarged tonsils that could be vibrating too much, limiting restful sleep, or even blocking proper air flow needed
• The child could have sinus problems or allergies that would affect breathing, limiting restful sleep
• In very rare cases they could have sleep apnea limiting air flow, oxygen levels, and brain activity. (an unknown symptom to most - in children, the child may be hyperactive, not sleepy all the time like adults with sleep apnea)

If any of these symptoms fit your child please take the time to get them into a Dr. It’s always better to be safe then sorry. I have a child with sleep apnea so I know the value of getting help ASAP.

Question # 3

Is he/she able to change their bedding by themselves? Shower and clean up without supervision?

If your child is old enough and able to help, you might try letting him/her get wet when they have an accident. He/she will have to change bedding, bathe, and help clean up. Let your child take the responsibility that they need to wake up and go to the bathroom or there will be consequences for accidents. It is important that you take the time to do the clean-up, changing the sheets/bedding with your child the first few times. After that it should be his responsibility. With most children realizing that actions have consequences is hard to learn but the younger they learn the more likely they will make better decisions in life.          

Extra tips

Ø      If it continues to be a problem you may even think about teaching him/her how to do the laundry so they realize all the work involved each day.

Ø      Some kids do NOT smell the urine and do NOT realize others can smell it on them or why it is so important to shower/bathe after an accident. (SUGGESTION: hold onto a sheet 24 hours then have them smell it. The smell will be very strong making the point).

Ø      To help keep from having to change all the bedding and tons on extra laundry try our waterproof bedding covers. It goes over the fitted-sheet and under the top-sheet, so that the mattress is protected leaving less mess but still allowing your child to know that they are wet. It is easy to change making mornings less hectic with less laundry, plus saving on laundry soap, energy, & water.

1. Pull wet pad off bed (sheets underneath are still dry)
2. Place new pad on bed
3. Tuck side tails to hold pad in place
4. Pull up blankets and YOU’RE DONE!!!

Question # 4

Is there a schedule for bed time & wake up?

When a child has a schedule for both bedtime as well as waking up they are more likely to have an easier time being night time toilet trained. I know this sound so simple but over time you will see a difference not only in accidents but also in attitude, energy, and even learning in school.

Staying up late on weekends is fine every so often but you will notice that it is harder for your child to get back on a schedule if they have it interrupted for more then one night.

Question # 5  

Does he/she have caffeinated drinks (including pop/soda) after 5 or 6 pm?

 When kids drink caffeinated drinks before bed they have a harder time falling asleep and caffeine is a diuretic - A diuretic is anything that elevates the rate of urination. There are several categories of diuretics. All diuretics increase the excretion of water from bodies. Diuretics can make you excrete as well as pass urine. The object of night time potty training is to help the child stop wetting the bed not help them wet more.  

Personal thought: Pop/soda deposits sugars on teeth as well as carbonation can cause an upset stomach. Is it worth the cavities and possible tummy aches in the middle of the night?

Do they eat just before bed time?

The body needs time to digest food and when a child eats directly before bed the food and the calories/energy are not able to be used properly. Some children can have a hard time falling asleep because the body wants to use up the energy from the food. Good sleep habits help. I know this seems to easy be true, but over time you will see a difference not only in accidents but also in self-esteem, energy, weight gain, and even school work.

Even if we may not have the products you want we would really like to help.  We know how frustrating it can be and how it can affect a child's self esteem. Several of my close family members have had these problems. Be firm when trying something new but always remember to listen too. Just remember to listen to your child and remember what you say will help or hurt them. Your child needs your love and support.

©     DO NOT let anyone tell you what "you have to do" for your child, trust your instincts as a parent. Ultimately you know your child best!

3Dz Family - JR