Enuresis is when a child has wetting accidents after the age she is expected
to be dry.
Bedwetting is a common childhood problem.
What causes bedwetting?
No one knows what causes bedwetting.
It tends to happen in families. If a parent had bedwetting, it is common
for a child to have it, too.
It could be that your child's bladder is not yet fully-grown and can't hold
urine for a whole night.
It could be that your child can't tell when her bladder is full.
Sometimes, a child who is dry at night will start bedwetting. This could
be due to stress or illness.
In few cases, it could be a sign of a bladder or kidney infection, diabetes,
or problems with the urinary system. If illness is the cause, your child will
likely have other symptoms.
Children sometimes start wetting the bed because of stress. Stress could
be caused by a change in the child's life, such as moving or divorce.
Children who are sexually abused often start wetting the bed.
If your child starts bedwetting after having been dry, she should be seen
by a doctor.
What age should my child stop bedwetting?
Most children are toilet-trained for daytime between the ages of 2 1/2 to
5 years old.
Nighttime toilet training usually happens 6 months later.
15% of 7 year olds still may wet at night.
Children who are slow in reaching other milestones often take longer to
stay dry at night.
Most doctors think bedwetting is normal.
If a parent had bedwetting, often the child's bedwetting will improve around
the same age that the parent's did.
How is it treated?
Most children outgrow bedwetting.
You can keep track of dry nights on a calendar to see your child's progress.
Progress is often slow.
After age 6 or 7, children can take part in nighttime toilet training.
The child must want to stay dry for treatment to work.
Treatment will not always work. You may have to wait for your child to outgrow
bedwetting.
There are a few choices for treatment
Night Alarm
For most children, this is the treatment that works best.
There are many different kinds. Ask your doctor.
Most have a sensor that sets off an alarm when your child begins to
wet the bed.
The alarm wakes the child up. She should get up and clean up. As time
goes by, she should wake up soon enough to finish urinating in the bathroom.
The child should set the alarm before bed and reset the alarm if it
goes off.
Alarms are usually used until your child goes 4 weeks without bedwetting.
Progress can be slow. It can take months for the child to stay dry.
If a child wets again after the alarm is stopped, use it again. It has
a very good chance of working the second time.
Medication
Medication does not help all children.
Two types of medicine can help some children with bedwetting. Ask your
doctor.
The medication has some side effects and could be expensive.
After your child is off medication, it is likely she will wet the bed
again.
It can be very helpful for special times, like sleepovers or camp.
Exercises
Some doctors suggest bladder-stretching exercises.
For these, your child tries to wait a little longer between each time
she uses the bathroom during the day.
Talk to your doctor before trying this.
What can I do to help?
Give your child support.
Do not blame or scold her for wetting the bed.
Do not force her to go to summer camp or spend the night at a friend's house.
She may be afraid she will wet the bed.
Help your child understand that the bedwetting is not her fault. It will
get better.
Do not let brothers and sisters tease her. Tell them that she does not wet
the bed on purpose.
Limit the amount of fluids your child drinks just before bed.
Have her use the bathroom before she gets in bed.
Don't wake the child up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom.
This only keeps her from wetting the bed that night. Your child's body and
brain needs to learn how to wake her up on her own.
Don't use pull-ups or diapers. This makes wetting easier for the child and
sends the message that she is still "a baby" and wetting is okay.
Your child should help you change the sheets and change her own clothes
as best she can. Make sure she is fully awake first. This teaches responsibility.
Be kind and patient. Do not get irritated or scold.
When should I call the doctor?
Call the doctor if your child starts bedwetting when she has been dry in
the past. It could be a sign of a problem or illness. The doctor might ask
you:
Is there are family-history of bedwetting?
How often does your child urinate? What time?
When does she wet the bed? After a bad day? After a busy day?
Does your child drink carbonated drinks or lots of water?
Is there anything strange about how your child urinates or how her urine
looks?
Call the doctor if your child starts wetting the bed and has other symptoms,
such as cloudy urine, blood in the urine or underpants, painful urination,
or daytime wetting.
Call the doctor if you have questions or concerns.
Quick Answers
Enuresis is when a child has wetting accidents after the age she is expected
to be dry.
It could be that your child can't tell when her bladder is full.
Most children are toilet-trained for daytime between the ages of 2 1/2 to
5 years old. Bedwetting is a common childhood problem.
Most children outgrow bedwetting but doctors can suggest other treatments.
Give your child support. Do not blame or scold her for wetting the bed.
Call the doctor if your child starts bedwetting when she has been dry in
the past.
References
American Academy of Pediatrics. Bed-Wetting. Medem. 2000 (cited 2001 October
19). URL: http://www.medem.com/MedLB/article_detaillb.cfm?article_ID=ZZZ30FMNH4C&sub_cat=109
Children's Medical Office of North Andover. Bedwetting. (cited 2001 October
19). URL: http://www.chmed.com/enu.htm
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