30 Aug 9 ways to stop daytime wetting
Did you know that many children beyond the age of 4 or 5 still having problems with daytime wetting? Some children may start to have a problem after having initially obtained dryness, some have never obtained full dryness. The technical term for wetting accidents during the day is diurnal enuresis. The condition is relatively common with about 1 in 75 children over 4 experiencing day time wetting.
Reasons for daytime wetting
Diurnal enuresis can be caused by a number of different things. Some of the common reasons include:
- an overactive bladder or other medical conditions
- bad toileting habits and behaviours that have been going on since toilet training for instance not wanting to stop playing to use the toilet
- phobia or fears associated with the toilet or with pain associated with a urinary tract infection
It is important for parents to know that in most cases daytime wetting is involuntary, that is the child is often not aware that they are wet and they did not intend to wet themselves on purpose. However often children as they get older experience a great deal of shame about this problem and tend to avoid it in order to cope with their feelings.
First steps
Medical investigations should always be undertaken to see if there is an underlying medical cause for the condition. Visit a GP or Paediatrician in the first instance. You may also need to be reviewed by a Paediatric Urologist.
Psychologists can play a role when the condition is not due to medical causes or when there is an issue with motivation and compliance with medical interventions for diurnal enuresis.
Things parents can do to help their child
- Increase the child’s intake of water and spread water intake over the whole day (this helps the bladder to fill properly). Consider labelling a clear water bottle to mark goals throughout the day
- Set up a toilet routine, with set toilet times to discourage ‘holding on’. The rhyme ‘123, do I need a wee?’ might help to remind – and a vibrating wristwatch can prompt
- Talk with your child about what a full bladder feels like and educate them on what is happening inside of their body
- Arrange simple rewards for using the toilet and use a very low key approach if accidents occur. Children should not be punished for accidents or made to feel bad
- Avoid constipation by ensuring a varied diet that includes cereals, fruit and vegetables. Constipation can be a cause of enuresis
- Check that your child’s school allows drinking water and good access to the toilets
- Teach girls to sit on the toilet in a relaxed position, with feet apart and resting on the floor, or on a step stool if necessary. Keep the back straight, lean forward slightly and try to let the urine out in a continuous steady flow
- Encourage boys to aim at a target in the toilet to improve the stream
- Wait before getting off the toilet to make sure that the bladder is completely empty. It can be a good idea to jump around or do a little dance and then try and wee again just to ensure the bladder has fully emptied
Daytime wetting can be very frustrating for parents and it can be hard to understand why some children just seem to not get it. Overcoming a problem such as this will take time and persistence on behalf of parents and children. If it feels as if you require extra assistance, the clinical psychologists at Prosper Health Collective have particular expertise in the area of diurnal enuresis. We treat many children with this condition on a weekly basis. Please contact us if your child requires assistance in this area.
