Your child and catheterisation

Children who have suffered damage to their spinal cord may have reduced motor function and sensitivity. If so, you will have to adapt the environment and catheterisation equipment to your child's condition. Sit steadily and securely. Your child's hands should be free so that they can assist. Allow enough time to complete the procedure, so that time pressure will not force your child to give up. The routine should be clear to the child, as well as his/her delegated task. Remember that Mom and Dad should also be able to work in a comfortable position! Practice makes perfect, and it does get easier.

Teaching a child to empty their bladder using a catheter takes time. Encourage your child to participate in the bladder emptying as soon as possible. Be calm and methodical and do it on your child's terms.

When your child is 1-2 years old, it is time, as for all children, to start sitting on the pottie or toilet. It is easier to empty the bladder and let your child participate in the catheterisation if they are seated upright. Take advantage of your child's natural curiosity. Let them fetch the catheter, open the catheter bag or maybe even pull the catheter out after they’re finished. Having a doll with a "pee-pee" hole, where your child can practice inserting a catheter increases your child's nimbleness in handling a slippery catheter. Catheterisation becomes natural for your child if he/she is allowed to participate from as early an age as possible. This contributes to their self-esteem and to greater independence later on in life.

It helps if you can find tricks that help your child remember when it's time to catheterise. Try not to nag, as it can have the opposite effect intended. It's important to adapt the scheduled times for emptying your child's bladder to his/her daily lifestyle. Maybe it can be done in connection with other activities, for example meals and snacks. Many children use their mobile phones as reminders. At school, schedule catheterisation to fit in with your child's curriculum. The schedule should always be easily accessible. Let them take responsibility for emptying their bladder as much as possible. It’s important to remember that assistants who remind your child every time they need to empty their bladder can sometimes be counterproductive—kids can become reliant on the reminders, which can slow development of confidence in their own ability. It will be challenging at times. But seeing your child learn to trust their ability makes it all worthwhile. For your child, knowing that he/she can go to the toilet by themselves, can go to a friend's house after school, a sleepover or even camping and always feel independent is a strength. It also builds your child's self-esteem and self-confidence.