Your child and catheterisation

For small children who can't empty their bladders in a normal way, catheterisation is one of the most gentle alternative methods. With a little training and patience, it soon becomes a natural part of your everyday lives.

It's easier to empty the bladder if your child is sitting upright than if he/she is lying down. If your child has not yet learned to sit upright, use a pillow or a similar object to support their back. As soon as your child can sit upright on their own, he/she can follow the emptying procedure and maybe even participate more actively.

In the same manner as you would teach your child to hold their own toothbrush and see how it feels, you can let your child hold a catheter while you empty his/her bladder. This can be a way of trying to build an understanding of how catheterising becomes a part of the daily toilet routine.