www.incontinentsupport.org

Does anyone have children who are bedwetters? If so what have you done to deal with it? Alarms, Medications, wearing protection or just waht has worked for you?

Our children are now in their 20’s, but until they were 14, two of the three wet their beds regularly. We tried to wake them up several times during the night, to use alarms, to shame them – we tried lots of ideas. Now I wish I had asked your question and had known of a forum for an answer.

Most children can't help wetting their beds no mater how much they want to stay dry. The first step is to accept the problem and to love the child. Next include them in the solution. Discuss ways that would make them more comfortable until the wetting problem corrects itself. Discuss who will be responsible for what when you decide to try a solution. And then set a time or condition when you will review progress.

Talk about plastics covers, extra sheets, disposable pull-ups, diapers, plastic pants, alarms, everything. Ask about their feelings. Get them to experiment. Make no judgments. Accept all options and always express your love at all times. Promise them confidentiality. Make them feel secure.

What did you settle on for the long haul? Protection and if so what kind did you wind up using? Were the kids comfortable in it? Did you have to talk with tem about it often? Also what kinds did you try along the way? I also get the idea that alarms didn't work in your case, any ideas why?
Greatly appreciate any input.

Shelia:

I have compassion and understanding of your problem. We have 3 daughters, one is 14, and a set of twin who are 17. All of them suffer with enuresis. After consulting with professionals, we were advised to offer them options to manage their nocturnal incontinence. All three have chosen to wear protective briefs (diapers) overnight. As all of them release large volumes of urine in their sleep, they tested various products, and choose the Tena Night Super diaper. They never have wet beds as the diaper adequately absorbs their unine flow. We have arranged an automatic shipping program with an incontinence supply company that ships a case of diapers on a regular schedule.

Hope this information helps.

Marie;
Thank you for the information about what your 3 wear. I am using something similiar on mine now. I am seriously giving some thought to trying an alarm system. Have you tried any other things?

Shelia-

We tried one of these systems some time ago, and it was not successful. The girls void multiple times during the night, and while the alarm might wake them up during one incident, it had no effect on others. They seem well adjusted to wearing absorbent briefs, and their enuresis has not had noticeable affect on their lives. They simply don't want to face wet night gowns and bedding, as their briefs allow them to sleep comfortably though the night and wake up in dry beds.

Marie


Seems like where I am now. Just received some plastic pants. Going to use those when we go away for the holidays. Extra protection just in case. Have you had to use them?


Sheila

Sheila,

We have not had to use waterproof panties as the Tena Super's provide more than enough absorbency with no leaks.

Marie,
Thanks for the info. My bedwetter does not leak but I would rather be safe I guess when staying at someone elses house.
My bedwetter is wet every morning. Do your 3 wake up wet every morning?

I fear that plastic pants cannot provide any real leak protection when worn directly over a disposable. I've had countless leaks wearing plastic pants directly over a disposable. Yes, they may prevent a minor leak from the diaper getting your pants or bed wet, but any liquid leaking from the diaper has no way to be absorbed when it is between the waterproof backing of the diaper and the waterproof plastic of the pants and can easily escape past a leg band. (Please note, leg bands should not be uncomfortably tight in any attempt to prevent such a leak).

Plastic pants can provide good protection if you wear cotton underwear over the diaper. The cotton briefs with short legs are ideal since the legs can be pushed up into the crotch of the diaper and be well covered with the plastic pants.

If you don't want that bother, then for good peace of mind when sleeping away from home, bring the disposable bed pads and sleep on top of one, if you (or the sleepwetters) are not restless. Otherwise, you can put the bed pad under the top sheet where it will stay in place better, protecting the mattress while allowing the bottom sheet to get wet, but that's easily laundered.