Over the years, many methods have been developed as a solution for bedwetting. Most methods consist of training sessions. The body is trained to recognize when the bladder is full at night. In this article we tell you more about the solution for bedwetting
The bedwetting alarm as a solution for bedwetting
The bedwetting alarm is by far the most effective, proven and fastest method to get rid of bedwetting. The bedwetting alarm method trains you to wake up from a full bladder. When the bladder gives a signal when it is full, the child is woken up and subconsciously begins to recognize this signal by themselves. The bedwetting alarm is a simple tool and is very effective. The bedwetting alarm includes special sensor underwear with a sensor that is wirelessly connected to your alarm.
When your child goes to bed, he/she puts on the special sensor pants. If your child starts urinating in bed at night and the first drops of urine get into the sensor pants, the bedwetting alarm will go off immediately. This will promptly wake your child and in a reflex the sphincter of the bladder will close. The child stops urinating as a result and he/she is awakened to go to the toilet by themselves. It is important that your child wakes up properly during this process so that he/she is really actively aware of the problem.
Once your child has been to the toilet, he or she will put on a clean pair of pants and your child can go back to sleep. The average training takes 12-16 weeks, the new brands even claim to be able to achieve results in 8 weeks.
Medications
In order to get rid of bedwetting, a learning process must be followed beforehand. Your child does not have a problem with peeing, but with the timing of the peeing. At least as long as there are no physical problems that cause bedwetting. Using medication is not always the solution.
Produce less urine
Sometimes a doctor prescribes medication to support potty training, for example Minrin (desmopressin). This medicine ensures that less urine is produced at night, making the bladder less likely to fill and reducing the risk of bedwetting. Your child shouldn’t drink too much in the evening, because the product ensures that the skin retains moisture. Minrin helps your child sleep dry all night long. It is actually symptom control of the bedwetting problem and it has no effect on the learning process. That is why Minrin is mostly suitable for temporary use, for instance when your child goes to a sleepover or on camp with school.
Stretch the bladder
If your child’s bladder is too small, Dridase (oxibutinin) or Vesicare (solifenacin) are prescribed. These medications will make the bladder more flexible, allowing it to store more urine and reducing the chances of bedwetting.
Preventive waking up
Another commonly used method is the preventive waking up of the child. You agree in advance with your child that you will wake him/her at a set time. When you do this, it is important that you do it in a calm manner. When your child wakes up, reconfirm that you agreed to do this together. Also mention the name of your child aloud if you think he / she is not awake well and turn on the light. It is very important that your child is completely awake! He/she must go to the toilet very consciously.
Calendar or motivation method
The calendar is a method of positive rewards. Together with your child, you make a calendar sheet where each day has its own box. Based on the “nightly performances”, your child can colour in a box, draw a little sun or apply a sticker in the morning. If the bed is wet, the box will of course remain empty. You can also make extra agreements such as X number of colored boxes and you can choose what we are going to eat etc.
In this way your child is rewarded for his/her performance which often leads to faster results.
Bladder training
You can also start with bladder training. Here you let your child drink 2 cups of water in a short time in the morning. When your child tells you they need to go to the toilet, try to postpone it as much as possible. For example, slowly count to 10 in the beginning. Repeat this over and over and try to delay it for longer.