As a parent or caregiver, dealing with a child’s incontinence can be a challenging and frustrating experience. Incontinence is a common issue that affects many children, and it can be caused by a variety of factors, including medical conditions, developmental delays, and emotional stress.
Two types of incontinence can affect children: daytime incontinence and nighttime incontinence. Daytime incontinence, also known as diurnal enuresis, is when a child cannot control their bladder during the day. Nighttime incontinence, or nocturnal enuresis, is when a child wets the bed while sleeping. Both types of incontinence can be distressing for children and their families and can hurt a child’s self-esteem and emotional well-being.
If your child is struggling with incontinence, it’s important to seek medical advice and support. In many cases, incontinence can be treated or managed effectively using aids you can buy from Complete Care Shop. In this article, we’ll explore understanding incontinence in children, as well as the impact on daily life and the support options available.
Understanding Children’s Incontinence
As a parent with an incontinent child, I understand that this can be a difficult topic to talk about, but it is important to understand that it is a common issue that affects many children. Incontinence, also known as bedwetting or enuresis, is the loss of bladder control that can happen during the day or at night.
Causes of incontinence: It is important to note that incontinence is not a diagnosis, but rather a symptom of an underlying issue and try to find the possible causes. In most cases, children attain urinary continence by age 5, but nighttime continence may take longer to achieve. Among the vast majority of children, enuresis affects about 30% of younger children at age 4, 10% at age 7, and 3% of children over the age of 12.
In our case, my daughter is on the ASD pathway and the change of going in a pull-up to the toilet is a huge thing for her. She has a language disorder so there is also the communication part of explaining what to do is hard to overcome. Potty training has been going on for years, as well as trying to do the straight to toilet training option. If it becomes too stressful, we stop and try again another time.
Trying to toilet train a child with special needs and social problems is tough. It’s not that she has no bowel control or an underactive bladder or an overactive bladder, for her it’s more of a sensory thing. Every child and case is different as I’m sure you’ll know.
The need to understand that incontinence is not your child’s fault is imperative. You need to be supportive and patient while working with your child to find a solution. If your child is experiencing incontinence, it is recommended to speak with your GP to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
Impact on Daily Life
Living with incontinence as a child can have a significant impact on daily life. It can affect school, social life, and overall well-being. As someone who experiences this, with my daughter I totally understand the challenges that come with it. As she is getting older, it’s becoming more difficult to change her. She is very strong for her age and will often need an additional family member to help with fecal incontinence issues. If we are out and about, and my daughter needs changing, this can be tricky with certain disabled toilets not appropriate and having to change her on the floor.
Finding the right incontinence aids can be daunting if you don’t know where to look. We have a washable bed protector to protect the mattress, from the leakage of urine. Occasionally my daughter can have a dry night so I do think the electrical signal in her brain is connected to her bladder! It does give me hope that we will crack toilet training and get into regular bathroom habits!
Effect on School Life
Incontinence can make it difficult to focus on schoolwork and participate in activities. Children may feel embarrassed or anxious about daytime wetting and accidents happening at school, which can lead to missed classes and falling behind in their studies.
Teachers and other students may not understand the condition, which can ultimately lead to teasing or bullying in older children.
As a parent, it’s imperative your child’s teacher has an understanding of what’s going on and can look out for occasional accidents. Keep communicating with the teacher about any changes in regard to what’s happening at home with toilet training. If your child has an educational health care plan make sure intimate health care is included and everyone knows what to do.
Ensure your child goes to school happy in the knowledge that the teacher and TA are understanding and make accommodations, such as allowing them to use the bathroom whenever they needed to. This will make a big difference in their ability to focus on their studies and feel more comfortable in the classroom.
Social Implications
Incontinence can also have social implications for children, especially as they get older. They may feel embarrassed or ashamed, which can lead to isolation and difficulty making friends. Social activities such as sleepovers, camps, and sports may be avoided due to fear of accidents happening in front of others.
Children need to know they are not alone and that there are others who understand what they are going through. Support groups and counselling can help address the emotional impact of incontinence. Encouraging children to talk to their friends and family about their condition can also help to reduce feelings of isolation and shame.
Supporting a Child with Incontinence
Dealing with a child’s incontinence can be a challenging experience for both the child and the parents. However, with the right support and guidance, it is possible to manage this condition effectively. In this section, I will provide some tips and advice on how to support a child with incontinence.
Parental Support
As a parent, it is important to provide your child with emotional support and reassurance. Let them know that you understand their condition and that you are there to help them. Here are some ways you can support your child:
- Encourage your child to talk about their feelings and concerns. Listen to them without judgement and offer reassurance.
- Help your child to feel comfortable and confident by providing them with appropriate incontinence products such as pads or pull-ups.
- Be patient and understanding. Remember that accidents happen and that your child needs your support and encouragement to manage their condition.
- Praise and reward your child for their efforts and progress if possible and they have an understanding. This will help to boost their confidence and self-esteem.
- Limit their fluid intake in the evenings
Professional Help
In addition to parental support, it is important to seek professional help to manage your child’s incontinence. Don’t take no for an answer, push for a second opinion if necessary. Our pediatric doctor wanted the school to refer my daughter to occupational health to help us with her incontinence problems, but she was declined help. Although she has sensory processing issues, because her motor skills are on point for her age they have declined the referral. But please don’t be afraid to take the first answer they give you.
Here are some options to consider for getting professional help:
- Talk to your GP or paediatrician about your child’s condition. Keep a bladder diary and track bowel movements beforehand so you can explain what’s happening. They can provide advice and guidance on bladder training and managing incontinence. They may refer you to a specialist pediatric urologist if necessary for treatment options.
- Consider seeing a continence specialist nurse, occupational therapist or physiotherapist. They can provide practical advice and support on managing incontinence and may recommend exercises or techniques to help your child.
- Seek out online forums for parents of children with incontinence. This can provide a valuable source of information and support. You will be surprised at the different tips you can gather from these groups!
Conclusion
Incontinence can be a challenging condition for children and their families to manage. However, with proper diagnosis, help and incontinence aids available, children can manage their condition effectively.
Some key takeaways from this article include:
- Incontinence is not uncommon in children and can be caused by a variety of factors.
- It’s important to seek medical attention if a child is experiencing incontinence – bladder problems or unusual bowel habits to rule out any underlying health conditions.
- Parents and caregivers can help their children manage incontinence by creating a supportive and understanding environment.
Remember, every child is different, and what works for one may not work for another. It’s important to work closely with your child’s health care provider to develop the right treatment plan and use the aids available that are tailored to their individual needs and the best choices for you.
*This post is in conjunction with Complete Care Shop, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.