Practical tips for parents

Here are some useful tips on how to manage your child's bladder weakness we've collected from parents, nurses and teachers.

Tip 1 – Make some practical changes. You could place bed linens on a shelf in the child’s room so it's handy in the middle of the night when you’re sleepy. Also, keep an extra comforter ready (since it’s not only the sheets that get wet).

Tip 2 - Invest in products to protect the mattress, such as an undersheet or underpad.  And ensure any dirty linen is quickly removed for laundry. If you’d like to see what’s available, visit the park’s Product Pavilion.

Tip 3 - If your child is having friends over, just check the bed is clean so your child won’t be embarrassed in front of their friends. And, if your child is worried about an accident in front of friends, wearing protective underwear with odour control will help them to relax and enjoy their playdate to the fullest.

Tip 4 – Managing sleepovers
Invest in a washable sleeping bag. You could then put a TENA product in the sleeping bag (or in the pyjamas tucked inside) so they can change without leaving it. They can then leave the product there afterwards when they wake up.

Tip 5 – Managing odour
Odour can raise suspicions, so it’s good to use purpose-made pads or pull-ups that can neutralize unwanted odour.

Tip 6 – When you go to bed, wake your child up to go to the bathroom. If your child is unable to last the whole night, this will establish a routine of emptying the bladder part-way through the night and save your sleep.

Tip 7 – If you’re going to see the doctor with your child, call ahead to discuss the situation. That way you won’t have to go into a detailed history in front of your child and embarrass them unnecessarily. All three of you can then have an open and straightforward discussion without talking over the child’s head.