Your kid, especially in his early years, may feel embarrassed about certain things that he/she may not be able to articulate, but those events can have a deep impact on his growing years. One such event, for which the child may be bullied is BED WETTING.
It is an accidental involuntary urination after the age at which bladder control usually begins. Even after being toilet trained, many children are prone to wet themselves throughout the day in varying amounts. They may seem to have last minute urgency since they are so busy playing. They bed wet at night too.
The parents here can play a crucial role in avoiding accidental leaks by improving the child’s routine. Here are a few effective common strategies at your disposal:
Try giving less liquids to the kid at night.
Water is very important for our body. Depending on the weather and activity of the child, liquid intake can be regulated to avoid dehydration. For e.g. Since India has hot and humid weather, good water intake is required. Water must be sipped at regular intervals to maintain bladder homeostasis of regular filling and emptying.
Teach children not to hold back urination. Sometimes children do not like to take time to visit the washroom and this may result in leaking. On the other hand, there are some children who hold the urine all day since they want to visit the washroom only at home. This may result in infection or irritated bladder at night
Be careful about the diet. Try to include fibrous food, fruits, vegetables in the child’s diet in order to avoid constipation. If the bowel is full, it can cause pressure on bladder leading to leaks and irritation.
Always have patience and handle with compassion.
The above mentioned tips are a small part of the solution. It is important to evaluate and address all modalities of individual development. This is where Occupational Therapists come into the picture. They treat the child holistically by addressing various issues like emotional, behavioural, physical (muscle tone and strength), sensory perception, anxiety, cognition that may be contributing to this problem.
It’s never too late to seek help. With careful assistance and playful activities, the OTs can truly make your child ‘take control’ of their vulnerable growth years.