during a routine well-child checkup. Evaluation can begin in the office. We start with a history from the parents and urine analysis.”
Bedwetting is associated with a sudden increase in thirst, hunger or headaches
“Your pediatrician may identify an underlying medical condition and refer the child to a urologist if needed,” Dr. Lopez adds.
How Can You Help?
Contact your pediatrician if: Bedwetting is new (your child has been previously “dry”) There are new or unresolved daytime symptoms Your child snores Urination becomes painful
Consult your pediatrician. Once medical conditions are ruled out, you can consider taking steps to help your child stay dry at night. For the steps to work, your child must be motivated and mature
Remember that bedwetting is not your child’s fault. Never punish or belittle him for it.
enough. Wait until he is ready. See the sidebar “Dry at Night: The Plan.” Keep a calendar of wet and dry nights, noting to help you figure out what works and what doesn’t. If these suggestions don’t work, you may consider a bedwetting alarm or alarm clock. Medications are also available. Be sure to talk to your pediatrician to find out what is best for your child. af Brenda Schoolfield is a freelance medical writer in Austin.
Dry at Night: The Plan Go Regularly. Have your child try 3 to urinate regularly (4 – 7 times) during the day and just before bedtime. If he wakes up at night, he should go to the toilet. Sometimes parents have to help with this. Drink Liquids Earlier. Aim for taking 3 in 40 percent of total daily liquids before noon, 40 percent in the afternoon (noon to 5 p.m.) and only 20 percent after 5 p.m. Getting enough liquids earlier in the day helps him avoid guzzling liquids at dinner and before bed. Don’t ban drinking liquids at night; it could be dangerous to his health. Reward Effort. Give rewards for 3 behaviors such as going to the toilet before bedtime or drinking water at breakfast. Keep a record of his progress and give a reward for longer periods of being dry at night. No Sugary or Caffeinated Drinks. 7 Don’t let your child have drinks high in sugar or caffeine (such as colas), especially at night. No Diapers or Pull-up. Don’t use 7 diapers or pull-ups unless your child is sleeping away from home. This can interfere with his motivation for staying dry. Instead, use bed protection and washable linens. Don’t Punish. Don’t use penalties 7 for wetting the bed, and don’t take away rewards.
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March 2016 l austinfamily.com
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