Constipation may complicate toilet training. Your child could associate his stools with pain and want to avoid this experience by all means. Changing his diet is the first step to help with the problem. The use of laxatives or fecal emollients could also be recommended by your doctor.
It is essential to let your child poop in a diaper to avoid constipation, and consequently, belly aches that could put off toilet training.
Motivation for older children
If your child is getting older and still wets the bed or uses Pull Up/Easy Up, motivating your child with rewards may be helpful. You or your child could draw or put a sticker on a calendar for every dry night. When the chart is complete, give him a reward and congratulate him for his progress.
Adapted alarm device
This type of alarm reacts to little drops of urine and wakes your child as soon as he's started to wet the bed. It works with miniature batteries that are inserted ina special pad worn on the body. According to the Community Paediatrics Committee of the Canadian Paediatric Society, this approach should be the first one used in cases of enuresis (bed-wetting). Going for this option requires motivation from both parents and child, at least until the child gets used to waking up by himself when the alarm goes off.
Easy to use, these alarm devices have a 70% success rate and are used during three to four months. It may take one to two months before bladder control improves. This treatment works best with children ages seven and eight.
70% of children suffering from enuresis are boys.
Inspiring books
Caillou : Potty time
2 years old + / Jocelyne Sanschagrin / Éditions Chouette, 1994. 26 p.
Caillou can now take off his diaper and put on regular underwear. He can now run much faster.
Staying Dry: 99 Tips to Bring You Back from the End of Your Rope
Michelle Kennedy
Barron's Educational Series (Dec 4th 2003)
A Potty for Me!: A Lift-the-Flap Instruction Manual
Karen Katz (Dec 28th 2004).
My Big Boy Potty
Joanna Cole (Aug 10th 2000)
The No-Cry Potty Training Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Child Say Good-Bye to Diapers
Elizabeth Pantley (Aug 28th 2006)
Sources: Canadian Paediatric Society, Réseau Proteus, CHU Sainte-Justine
