Helping children with daytime urinary incontinence

Something any teacher or camp counselor can easily implement with the help of parents. Daytime urinary incontinence is very common among preschoolers and can continue into kindergarten and elementary school. In fact, urinary incontinence is typically seen at least once a week in 3% of 6-year-old girls. Not only are accidents embarrassing for children, but they also pose a challenge for teachers and their loved ones. If you are a teacher, counselor, or parent and encounter this problem during the day with children, here are some tips for dealing with it effectively: Be available to children and let them know that you are there to help them in case of a minor accident. It is important to defuse the situation in the event of an accident. If the parents of a child affected by this concern have not contacted you, we advise you to do so and discuss it with them. Some parents already have a strategy in place and it is important to be able to discuss it so that you can apply it in turn. Ask the child's parents to provide extra clothes that will make your job easier and the child's morale better in case of minor accidents. Always remember to take toilet breaks and make sure that the child has emptied their bladder. We can give you this idea: Using a reminder watch that will alert the child at specific times that it's time to go to the bathroom. This is called setting up a voiding schedule. Don't hesitate to recommend solutions such as timed voiding watches and/or absorbent underwear specially designed for children. Improving the quality of pee stops A calm and confident child will have less trouble emptying their bladder in the toilet. And if your child is prone to accidents during the day, you'll need to pay even more attention to this break. Here are some tips to make your job easier and make your child more relaxed during these toileting sessions: Encourage girls to remove at least one of the two pant (or tights) legs, and to lean forward with their elbows on their knees to relax their legs. Encourage boys to stand with their feet shoulder-width apart and their knees slightly bent. Help younger children by using a small step stool to get to the right height if the toilet is not suitable for their height. Remind him to relax, rather than push. Turn on the faucet so the child can hear the sound of running water. Read stories or talk about things unrelated to the toilet. Allow enough time for the child to empty their bladder thoroughly (it may take a few minutes). If your child is unable to urinate, assure them that they can always come back later. If you're trying to keep bathroom visits on a schedule, arrange to have the clocks vibrate according to your already established schedule. Going to the bathroom at the same time every day is a great way to overcome incontinence and boost your self-esteem. Overcoming Toilet Phobia Sometimes, daytime accidents are the result of a child's fear of the toilet. This toilet phobia can make the child uncomfortable using the toilet in unusual places. Perhaps your child uses the toilet well at home, but outside of it (daycare, school, camp, public places) you experience these accidents related to the fear of going there. Once your doctor/pediatrician has ruled out any medical causes, we recommend that you write down their urination schedule on a calendar as detailed as possible, including: times, dates when the child goes to the toilet or the accident occurs. the place where the child peed. Try to note your eating and drinking habits. Is there a stressful event? If your child is uncomfortable using the toilet, here are some tips to help you overcome their fear: If your child is attending a new school or daycare, arrange to visit the restroom together. Be positive and point out nice things about the room. When you and your child are outdoors, try visiting restrooms in several locations (e.g., the mall, movie theater, etc.). Gradual exposure will eventually normalize restrooms in the child's eyes. If it's at home, suggest decorating the toilet with pictures and stickers. Talk to your child about their fear. There might be a simple misunderstanding that you can clarify for them.