My Opinion Series
Why is it that we "Lock the barn door"...
after the horse is stolen?
A large portion of children get over bed wetting in the first few years, usually by age two to three except
for occasional "accidents" after that. However there is still a large number of children that this problem
continues with them for varing numbers of years. The problem can be caused or prolonged by any one or more
of a variety of things. Often children are hurried or forced to grow up to fast (Now days we make you a man
while you wait). Well meaning parents can often push a child to hard to be potty trained when the child is
not quite ready yet.
Children grow up at different rates. A child will take the next step in his or her growing up when they feel
a secure foundation on what they have already learned or accomplished. Forcing a child to grow up to fast
usually results in prolonging the problem and frustrating the parents due in part to the child feeling
insecure and not feeling ready to take the next step.
Other things that can cause or prolong the problem are family problems in the home that cause stress and
insecurity or a desire to get attention, especially when a new baby arrives. If a child is threatened,
humiliated, or otherwise punished for bed wetting this can add to or prolong the problem. Kindness and
loving understanding will probably help the child to get over the problem sooner. There also may be an
organic disturbance or a lack of the right nutrients in the diet for proper development of the muscles used
to control the flow, or perhaps the child just feels more secure and happy in diapers, this can be more
prevelent when a new baby comes along and the child is no longer the baby in the family and is not getting
as much attention as before. Children should be allowed to grow up at a rational rate.
Some people in much stress find wearing diapers very comforting, the same as a child has his favorite
"blankie" or a pacifier. Some teens and adults just like wearing diapers.
More often than not bed wetters are heavy sleepers, they seem to need more deep sleep. Well meaning parents
will often try various wake up methods such as some one else getting up at night to wake them up to go to
the bathroom (Now two people can have disturbed sleep) or an alarm going off to let you know you already wet
the bed and then further the agony by washing their face in cold water after getting up. How would you like
to wash your face in cold water in the middle of the night when you are half asleep?
Doctors tell us, "Listen to your body", "The body doesn't lie". When the body is deep in sleep it is because
that rest is needed, and it is best not to disturb it. An alarm going off to let you know "its to late" when
the body is deep in sleep is like "locking the barn door after the horse is stolen". What good does it
really do? The problem may be alleviated a lot sooner by letting the bed wetter wear diapers and rubber
pants to bed and by sleeping on a rubber sheet so they are able to get a good nights sleep, especially when
its a child growing up and there body is developing they need proper rest. Besides, whats wrong with the
tried and true. Also a good night of rest is far more important to a persons overall health and general
wellbeing than getting up one or more times a night to use the bathroom.
Heavy sleepers might not sleep so soundly that it is hard for them to wake up if they had a few dietary
corrections. Perhaps a lot of fresh raw fruits and vegetables would be a good thing to help them sleep well
and not need to get up or that they would be more alert to the need and be able to wake up and take care of
the need on their own without wetting the bed, but if not what is wrong with wearing diapers, other than our
pride? Diapers are like a cane, crutch, eye glasses, hearing aids, or false teeth, if it is good and can
help you get through life, than use it. (No doctor bills, no drugs, no side effects, and cheap too).
A good diet of fresh raw fruits and vegetables could possibly be the right thing to supply the nutrients
needed to develop the desired control and also get a good nights rest. If we all ate 75% of each meal of
fresh raw fruits and vegetables it would probably help us to feel better, sleep better, normalize blood
pressure, and have more energy etc. etc.
These suggestions hopefully will be a help to alleviate the problem so it won't be necessary to "Lock the
barn door...after the horse is stollen".
Copyright © 2010 Rod Cox. All rights reserved. My Opinion series.
Proven Technology
Why is it that as an adult we seem to have to prove that we are an adult by making some tasks more difficult
for us than we do for our children?
When we are sick, weak, in pain and laying in bed or in the hospital in pain, weakness, and discomfort and
are supposed to drink a lot of fluids (Doctor's orders you know) we make it so hard for ourselves. We first
try to drink from a cup or glass and after adding to our pain and discomfort by trying to lean on our elbow
or on our side, we then spill water or whatever on ourselves, the bed and the floor after which we decide,
...there must be... a "better way", so we then try the straw or bendable straw routine and end up choking as
we cannot control the flow into our mouths while laying down on our back or side.
Strange as it may seem we know how to make drinking while laying on ones side or back, easy, simple,
comfortable and uncomplicated for our children and infants, but as adults we seem to have to make it hard on
ourselves, I guess just to prove to ourselves that we are grown up, or something like that anyway.
Why not do for ourselves as we do for our children, simply put a nipple on a bottle to control the flow with
our suck swallow coordination and drink from that? Simple, no spilling, no choking, or other discomforts,
and no college degree needed or required. You can stay comfortable on your back and drink what the Doctor
ordered (or common sense might teach) without adding to your pain and discomfort by simply using...this age
old "proven technology".
Copyright © 2010 Rod Cox. All rights reserved. My Opinion series.
Pacifiers-Part 1
Pacifiers (soothers, exercisers, dummies, or therapudic
trainers) are generally thought of as mostly for infants and
children but they are also used by youth and adults for their
therapudic value as they are calming, soothing, and comforting.
For years mom's would use a ball of cloth soaked in sugar water
as a pacifier until little over one hundred years ago they
started making them from rubber or latex. For years pacifiers
have been made of latex, in recent years they have started
using silicone rubber, however the latex pacifier is much nicer
than the silicone pacifier as the latex is softer and more
natural and also more comforting. In recent studies it has been
found that the use of a pacifier for infants appears to help
reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrom or otherwise
known as instant crib death). Also a small child when put into a new
environment, such as a day care, or with a new baby sitter will often
adapt quicker and easier if they have some favorite things with them such
as their favorite "blankie" or a pacifier.
For adults the calming effect of a pacifier has been known to help lower
blood pressure, stop griding of teeth, stop snooring and even
sleep better. Some types of night coughs have been stopped by
its use also. They also can aid digestion by encouraging the
flow of saliva.
Pacifiers have been used quite successfully to help people stop
smoking, chewing tobacco, drinking, or over eating. They are
also helpful to get people to stop sucking their thumb or fingers,
which can be helpful as many suck their thumb or fingers in
public, but when switched to a pacifier will catch themselves
and not use it in public. Sucking one's thumb or finger is quite
hard on teeth also and a pacifier can relieve that problem.
They are also good to keep saliva worked up in the mouth to wash
over the teeth, the saliva being alkaline neutralizes the acid
particles from decaying food around the teeth thus being a
possible deterent to tooth decay much the same as was discovered
by a study in England years ago that showed that people who
chewed gum after eating had approximately 35% less decay due
to the saliva being worked up from chewing gum after eating.
After dental work when the mouth is still numb they can be used
quite effectively to keep from biting the tongue or inside of
the mouth.
In Germany the NUK Therapudic Trainer is listed as a Class 1
Medical Device for speech and physiotherpy. The manufacturer
says that they can be used for a number of therapudic uses
including overcoming suction weakness and normalizing defective
oral motor activity (e.g Oral breathing as well as suction,
chewing, swallowing, speech and mimiking gesture disorders).
In addition using a pacifier can have a positive effect on
regulation or harmonisation of the intraoral and perioral musculature.
The NUK Therapudic Trainer can also be used for speech, voice
and breathing therapy applications, as well as suck-swallow
coordination. Persistant habits such as grinding of teeth,
clenching the teeth and tongue associated with pain, and
cracking of the jaw joints can also be effectively treated.
Copyright © 2010 Rod Cox. All rights reserved. My Opinion series.
Pacifiers-Part 2
While we are being carried by our mothers, as we grow we are sucking our thumb. When we are born we are
immediately put on our mothers breast or a bottle. As we grow we suck our thumb or fingers till the need
goes away or we are forced to stop.
While many stop sucking thier thumbs at variable young ages there are many who continue to do so or would
like to but due to outside influences choose to suck on something else, such as lollipops, straws, pens,
pencils, erasers, tobacco products, etc. Sucking is a natural instinct from before birth and seems to give
much comfort to the individual as well as nourishment to infants when nursing.
Sucking ones thumb or fingers can be hard on the teeth if done a lot or very long after the first few years.
Some suck their thumbs well into adult life. Pacifiers are much easier on the teeth due to their softness
compared to a thumb. Pacifiers are used by all ages in many parts of the world.
Pacifiers are made in two main types with many variations. They are either round or an orthodontic design.
Pacifiers are made from rubber, latex, or silicone rubber. The latex pacifier which has been used for many
years is probably the best and most comforting material for the baglet (The baglet is made up of the stem or
neck and the teat which is the expanded part). They can be made all in one piece such as the Grip-Tite all
latex type or in two or three separate parts consisting of baglet, face plate or shield, and ring. Face
plates and rings are usually made from a good grade of plastic. Silicone seems to be replacing latex for
nipples and pacifiers but latex still is the best material for the baglet I believe.
Choosing the right pacifier, especially for youth or an adult is a little more difficult than for infants or
children as they are not as readily available for youth and adults as they are for children.
With a round pacifier the teeth can close evenly top and bottom very easily thus putting little or no strain
on the teeth and this results in more comfort and longer times using it. An orthodontic style seems best if
the stem or neck goes into the mouth clearing both upper and lower teeth before expanding to the larger part
of the baglet. This is so the teeth can close on it evenly from both upper and lower sides which results in
more comfort and thus being able to use it for longer periods of time with little or no stress on the teeth.
Pacifiers are a very good thing and can be used by all ages. The comfort and calming derived from them for
infants is much appreciated by mothers. For adults they have been found very effective to stop snoring, or
grinding of teeth, also calming and comforting which can possibly help lower blood pressure, and also help
one to sleep better. They have been successfully used to stop smoking, chewing tobacco, over eating, or
drinking.
Also when gently sucking and teething on a pacifier the muscles from the jaw to the ear are worked which
helps to keep the excess ear wax from building up in the ear.
A pacifier can be a valuable tool to help solve a number of problems.
Copyright © 2010 Rod Cox. All rights reserved. My Opinion series.
Pacifiers-Part 3
When I was in first grade, one day my teacher thought I had a temperature, so she
sent me to the office to see the nurse.
Step 1. The school nurse had me sit on a chair and then proceeded to attempt to
get my temperature. She then got a heavy antique thermometer and started probing it
under my tongue to try and find the most uncomfortable place she could find to get
a reading. After finding the desired spot under my tongue she then pulled her hand
away and before she could turn away it fell out of my mouth landing on the floor
ending up in multiple pieces.
Step 2. I felt bad that it got broken and just sat there quietly like a dumb bun
little kid that did not know his right hand from his left, or how to tie his shoe
either, and waited patiently while she started the process all over again with a new
lighter weight thermometer. This time I really tried hard to bear the pain so she
could obtain my temperature. If it had been high I might have been sent home from
school, Wonderfull!! (School was not my favorite place anyway.) but instead I believe
I had to go back to class where I could continue more of my usual day dreaming about
what I would like to be doing at home more than at school attempting to learn the
"3 R's". Why do they say the "3 R's" anyway, do these paid educators not know how to
spell either.
Finally after many years of sticking glass thermometers in various parts of one's
anatomy we now have a comfortable thermometer in the form of a pacifier. Great! It's
about time some one used their brains for what they were intended for, ... rather than
a cushion!
A pacifier is far more comfortable and easier to use. Why not just swallow your
pride and use a pacifier type? You get the job done and you probably won't have to
sweep the floor up afterward either.
Copyright © 2010 Rod Cox. All rights reserved. My Opinion series.
Comfort
Stepping Back In Time
Some people when going through much stress in life look for comfort in many things, some buy a new car, or
furniture, some take a trip, some take pills or any one or more of many other ways of relieving the stress
they are experiencing.
Some like to step back in time to their childhood and try to re-live those precious early years when in the
security of their parents care, this often can include wearing diapers and rubber pants, bottles, pacifiers,
and sleeping on a rubber sheet in a crib or play pen. Also sitting in a highchair to eat is very comforting
to them, and a bib can help too.
These desires can be brought on in later life by stress, but also this desire can be brought on by the child
being forced to grow up to fast (Now days "We make you a man while you wait.") and missed the security of a
good foundation in each step of development. (Children used to be allowed to grow up at a rational rate)
Forcing a child to throw away the security blanket, pacifiers, bottle or be potty trained before they are
ready and feeling secure with a good foundation of previous steps only causes them to want to revert and go
back and start over, some time in life, either then or later.
A child will let you know when they are ready for the next step. They will probably progress much faster if
they are not rushed.
There is an ever growing number of youth and adults that feel security and comfort in this manner, and many
more would like to revert to there youth in some way but for various reasons they can't or don't.
I'm told that psycholigsts say that a large percentage (about 80%) of adults take a childhood toy or other
childhood object to bed with them, usually a teddy bear or other stuffed animal, this seems to help people
sleep better and relieve stress when reminded of their pleasant childhood days. Some parents will cuddle up
with their little ones in their crib or playpen for comfort and loving care of their precious little gems.
A lot of people have a double standard and don't realize it. They condemn an adult for using a pacifier but
don't think anything of someone with a cigarette in their mouth. When it comes down to it what difference
does it make what kind of bed you sleep in, or chair you sit in? Who cares? What difference does it really
make? If it brings you comfort and releaves stress (and blood presure to) be thankful for pleasant memories
to think about and enjoy, no doctor bills, no drugs and no side effects, just some comfort and a good night
of rest.
Copyright © 2010 Rod Cox. All rights reserved. My Opinion series.
