Child: Falling Asleep Despite Bedwetting

Sleep well! Like most parents, you may find bedtime a challenge: getting kids to bed at a reasonable hour, ensuring the whole family gets enough sleep, and overcoming obstacles like bedwetting while ensuring kids are well-rested in the morning. According to a 2004 study, nearly two-thirds of parents surveyed said their children sometimes have trouble relaxing and falling asleep at night. And for parents with children who wet the bed, getting them to bed is only half the battle. What can you do if interruptions like those caused by bedwetting prevent you and your child from getting enough rest? Most of us are aware of the importance of sleep. But why is this important? How much sleep do children need at night? A reminder to parents Sleep is a basic need for all aspects of functioning, such as emotional and behavioral control, motivation, attention, memory, and learning, says Dr. Tracy Kuo, a psychologist at the Sleep Disorders Clinic at Stanford University. Children who are sleep-deprived are not ready to learn and are at their best when it comes to controlling their behavior and mood. According to Dr. Kuo, children between the ages of 6 and 10 need about 10 hours of sleep a night. Interrupting these sleep hours can be detrimental to your child. When they get uninterrupted sleep, children avoid the common effects of sleep deprivation, such as daytime sleepiness, irritability, and difficulty concentrating, says Dr. Clete A. Kushida, director of the Center for Human Sleep Research at Stanford University. Pay close attention to your child's behavior to see if interruptions like those caused by bedwetting may be preventing them from getting enough sleep. Dr. Kuo says to monitor your child to see if they have trouble waking up in the morning for school or if they are tired or lethargic in class. Some children's behavior may manifest as inattention, impulsiveness, irritability, and hyperactivity, she says. Additionally, if you notice your child napping after school, sleeping in on weekends, or dozing in the car, they may need more sleep each day. For children who wet the bed, going to bed early may not be enough to ensure a good night's sleep. Sleep disruption caused by bedwetting is particularly challenging because children are unable to control the problem. According to the study, less than half of parents can identify the root cause of bedwetting. Some parents believe their children simply don't want to get up on time to avoid wetting the bed or that they drink too much before bed. But bedwetting is often caused by underdeveloped bladder, or the child may have inherited the condition from one of their parents. Terri Nelson, a mother of two young boys in Cupertino, California, has tried to limit her son's fluid intake before bedtime to prevent nighttime accidents. "My son drinks milk with dinner and a sip of water after brushing his teeth," she says. "That's all he can drink after 6 a.m. But Nelson's son still wets the bed despite their efforts. Since there's little your child can do to prevent wetting the bed, finding a way to manage his bedwetting can help him get better rest. Nelson has tried in the past to get up at night to take her 4-year-old son to the bathroom before he could wet the bed, but he had a hard time waking up. "Sleep is very important in our family," she says. "For me and my children, it makes a huge difference if we don't get enough sleep." Constantly waking your child at night to go to the bathroom not only interrupts their sleep, but yours too! Nelson and many parents have found less stressful ways to deal with bedwetting, such as absorbent products and mattress protectors. For now, Nelson's son wears Pull-Ups training pants at night. Using absorbent products like Pull-Ups training pants or absorbent underwear can help your child stay dry and save you from getting up to change their pajamas or sheets, which helps everyone sleep at night. A waterproof cover over the mattress can also be helpful. Go back to sleep When your child wakes up in the night, make sure they get back to sleep as quickly as possible by first addressing their immediate needs (changing the bed, helping them go to the bathroom, and comforting them if needed), then help them wind down by following a familiar routine. For example, if your child usually falls asleep to a particular piece of music, play it with the lights off and keep the atmosphere calm. Don't tell your child to try harder if they can't sleep, says Dr. Kuo. Trying is something you do while you're awake. It's cognitively and emotionally stimulating, which is incompatible with sleep. Ensuring your child gets enough sleep is an ongoing challenge. Talk to your doctor or other parents about ways to manage your and your child's sleep time. And remember, this phase doesn't last forever - for most children, it passes before the age of 10. Bedtime Parents play a vital role in ensuring children get enough sleep. Here are some bedtime habits to share with your children that will help you all sleep at night. Set an example. Children learn from their parents, says Dr. Tracy Kuo, a psychologist at the Sleep Disorders Clinic at Stanford University. Parents should respect their sleep needs. Make sleep a priority. Given our hectic, busy lifestyles, time is a very limited resource , says Dr. Kuo. Protect sleep time. Make sure other activities don't interfere with it. Keep to a consistent schedule.