Reply from Randy, Child's Age n - 7/23/02 - IP#: 66.81.179.135

Some children have an allergic reaction to the materials used in disposable diapers, the same materials as in Goodnights and Pullups. It shows up in rashes, making cloth the only diapers available for use. Our babies were that way. I would expect that your children are similar. This is a good opportunity for you. Since they don't want to look too much like babies by going to cloth diapers, they should be receptive to other options. Also note that they are old enough to be included in the decisions to be made. I think the three basic options are: 1) cloth diapers They already don't like this one, which is not a bad thing, because they are encouraged to grow. 2) a bed alarm This is useful as long as there are no physical handicaps preventing them from learning to break the habit. It conditions them to wake up as they start to wet, and soon most children learn to stay dry reliably. 3) changing the bed in the morning Even though they are not directly at fault, it is helpful for them to feel responsible for the upkeep of their rooms. It is difficult to learn to stop wetting while in diapers, so this option allows them to talk to themseleves at bedtime, telling themselves that they will get up in the night to go to the bathroom. Making up thier minds and talking to themselves can slowly teach the unconscious mind. This also requires that there is no physical incapability. Remember that a urinary infection can cause bladder crapms, resulting in bedwetting. Infections are easy to detect and treat. Children do need to be reassured that the doctor is not bothered by their habit. He sees a lot of kids just like them, so they need not be afraid to talk to him. If there is much tension in the home, bedwetting can be a direct result. This being a possibility, take some quiet family time with no distractions around, and allow them to think and talk about anything at all that bothers them, be it you or kids at school, or scary movies, or the news, or whatever else. They must be able to speak with complete immunity from prosecution in such sessions. Great good can come of it even if it does not cure them of their bedwetting immediately. They will always have confidence that they can talk to you. This should help release stress and give them the opportunity to grow. Love, support and patience are the keys. Success follows at its own pace.