Bedwetting is a very common problem in young children and sometimes even in older adolescents, most of the time it is due to environmental factors, however sometimes it is psychological. In any case one of the most important things is that no matter how frustrating it is for the parent, it is often that much worse for the embarrassed child who also has to deal with the shame of the situation. Instead offer your child solutions, freedom from the guilt and some well documented solutions.
Bedwetting Facts:
· The term bedwetting simply means that you do not wake up to go to the bathroom.
· Lots of kids of all ages wet the bed.
· Bedwetting is not your child’s fault.
· As parents we are here to help not to judge, this approach is often more effective in stopping the problem.
· There are several things the child can do to feel more in control.
· Bedwetting is very common under 5 years of age, if the child is wetting the bed beyond this point you should consult a doctor just to be sure, however it will likely resolve soon.
Ways to combat bedwetting:
· Eat all meals by 2 hrs. prior to scheduled bedtime.
· Make these times the same each and every day to establish a routine.
· Do not allow liquids within 2 hours of bedtime. Again, make this the same each night.
· Always ensure that the child urinate before going to bed.
· Utilize diapers, while they can be embarrassing for the child at first it must be explained as a good alternative to sleeping in wet sheets and changing bed linens nightly. If approached in a positive manner the child will understand and won’t consider this a step back. Diapers are available in weights of up to 120 lbs. in most brands.
· Wake the child up 3 hrs. or so after they have gone to bed, make the child urinate in the toilet, change wet diapers, and ensure that the child is fully aware of why he is up.
· Limit intake of energy drinks, carbonated drinks, citrus juice (except in the morning), or late night fruit intake. All of these things can cause stomach irritation not to mention make it difficult for your child to get right to sleep in the evening.
· Try a moisture alarm – a sensor placed in your child’s underwear, this detects when it becomes wet and will work towards training the child to wake up on their own.
· Make sure that your child is well rested – Some children stop wetting their beds with just an additional 30 min. of sleep per night, this is simply because if they are overtired they are less likely to wake up.
Some reasons for nocturnal bedwetting in children:
· Making too much urine at night – the bladder may simply overfill at night, reducing late fluid intake will assist with this problem.
· Slower physical development – every child is different and none should be made to feel bad about their level of growth. Do not compare them to their friends or family, this is not something that can turn in to a healthy competition, someone will be left feeling like a baby.
· Small bladder capacity – he or she may just have a small bladder; many adults have this problem too.
· Deep sleep – the child simply sleeps too deeply to feel the urine, they don’t even realize that they are wet until they wake naturally the next morning.
· Stress – Sudden or stressful changes in the child’s life can trigger bedwetting even in a child who was seemingly past this. This can be anything from starting a new school, to moving to a new place, to abuse, and especially foster homes or adoption changes.
· Family history – if both parents were bedwetters in their own childhoods, it is 70 – 80% likely that their offspring will also have these troubles.
· Less common causes are: sleep apnea, urinary or bladder infections, constipation, and other physical problems.
Bedwetting is not:
· Laziness
· Done on purpose
· Or done to irritate parents or family members.
Don’t give up, try different things until it happens, eventually your child will outgrow it. In the meanwhile, try teaching them to pull their own nighttime underwear on so that they can feel like they are part of the solution.
For more information on nocturnal bedwetting go to www.kidshealth.org or talk to your family doctor.
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