1 1 Facebook PinterestVeerWetting the bed can be an embarrassing issue among kids, but it's actually very common. The National Institutes of Health states that nocturnal enuresis or nighttime incontinence (the medical terms for bedwetting) is involuntary urination after age 5 or 6, and that more than 5 million children experience it. According to the Mayo Clinic, 15 percent of children still wet the bed by age 5, but less than 5 percent of kids do so by ages 8 to 11. Bedwetting tends to run in families and is more common among boys than girls; experts estimate the ratio as roughly 2 boys to 1 girl. Although most children eventually outgrow this phase, here are eight steps you can take to help your child keep dry through the night.2 Solve Potty-Training Problems 2 Facebook PinterestWin Baby Gear! 3 3 Facebook PinterestImage Source Banish the BlameGetting angry with your little one and punishing him for wetting the bed will only add pressure to stay dry and will make the problem worse. "It's difficult to stop a child from wetting the bed, and you shouldn't worry about it unless he is embarrassed and asks you for help," says Scott J. Goldstein, M.D., an Instructor of Clinical Pediatrics at Northwestern University School of Medicine in Chicago.
Don't make a big deal out of it; offer some comfort instead. "Often, when parents don't talk about bedwetting, children think they are the only ones going through it," points out Howard J. Bennett, M.D., a pediatrician in Washington, D.C., and author of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Waking Up Dry. "Reassure your child that he is not alone, and that bedwetting is very normal among his age group."4 4 Facebook PinterestImage 100/Superstock Talk to the PediatricianTell your pediatrician about the bedwetting, so she can track your child's progress and offer suggestions for handling the situation. If your child is older than 5, or if the bedwetting starts abruptly, discuss if there is a reason why it's occurring, suggests Mark Wolraich, M.D., Director of the Child Study Center at University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Talk to your doctor about possible causes -- for instance, urinary tract infections, diabetes, or even stress -- and other possible reasons and medical solutions.
Keep in mind, though, that in many cases there isn't a physical reason for bedwetting. It's just a delay in the development of nighttime bladder control.5 5 Facebook Pinterest Encourage Bathroom Trips Before Their Bedtime -- and YoursMake sure your child goes to the bathroom before her bedtime, but also try carrying her to the bathroom again right before you go to bed. "When your child empties her bladder, there's less of a chance she'll have to urinate during the night," explains Dr. Goldstein. This technique won't "cure" bedwetting, so to speak, but it can be an effective way to keep the bed dry through the night. Some pediatricians also suggest limiting your child's intake of fluids a few hours before bedtime.6 6 Facebook PinterestKaysh Shinn Create an Incentives ChartConsider adding a positive incentive, which can work on a subconscious level, to help your child end bedwetting. For instance, make a grid chart or use a calendar, and give your child a sticker (like a shiny star or a happy face) every night he stays dry.
When he earns ten stickers (which might take longer for some kids, so have patience and continue to encourage them), he gets a small toy or a special treat, like a lollipop, for his progress. "The power of positive suggestion does work for some children," says Dr. Bennett. "But remember, in the case of bedwetting, the opposite of reward is not punishment."7 7 Facebook Pinterest Check for ConstipationConstipation is a common cause for bladder problems. When the rectum, located just behind the bladder, is filled with large or hard poop, there is more pressure on the bladder. This causes bladder instability, which, in turn, can lead to nighttime (or even daytime) accidents, explains Dr. Bennett. He suggests that parents get "back into the poop loop." If you notice that your child isn't having a daily bowel movement or if his stool is typically hard, increase his fluid and fiber intake. Apple juice, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are all good options to help ease constipation and get the system working better again.
8 8 Facebook PinterestBlaine Moats Consider Specific MedicationsMedication is also an option, but it has potential side effects. For instance, desmopressin, which reduces urine production, can cause headaches, facial flushing, nausea, and, in rare cases, severe water retention. Some medicine tends to control symptoms rather than cure bedwetting. "The second you stop the medication, the bedwetting might start again," says Dr. Bennett. Discuss with your pediatrician the types of prescription medication choices that are available.9 9 Facebook PinterestiStockphoto Purchase a Moisture AlarmA moisture alarm wakes your child the second he wets the bed. The interruption in sleep can condition the brain to control the bladder better and help prevent accidents. This method is about 75 percent effective, and tends to work when children themselves are ready to be dry. Facebook PinterestGreg Scheidemann Invest in a Waterproof MattressIf moisture alarms and medication aren't for you, you can try simpler measures: Make sure the bed has a waterproof mattress cover or pad and pillow cases, and stock up on Pull-Ups.
You are not alone. Parents often worry about bedwetting in their children, a problem defined as “involuntary urination in children 5 years of age or older.” But in reality, approximately 15 percent of children in the United States are still wetting the bed at age 5. To help parents deal with this challenge, we turned to Halima Janjua, MD, a pediatric nephrologist and Audrey Rhee, MD, a pediatric urologist. [Tweet “Is your child still bedwetting? Find expert #parenting tips”] Should I be worried? Dr. Janjua says bedwetting is not a concern until your child is 5 years old. When your child is older than age 5 and still wetting the bed, you might want to talk with your child’s primary care physician or a pediatric nephrologist or urologist. The underlying issue is usually a bladder not yet matured. Also, keep in mind that about 15 percent of children age 5 or older actually stop wetting the bed each year. “When I meet a child who is wetting the bed, it’s twice as likely to be a boy.
He usually presents with no other medical problems,” Dr. Janjua says. She says the parents are usually upset because it’s an ongoing issue – and everybody needs to get some sleep. She says there are chances that there is a family history of bedwetting as well. To combat bedwetting, doctors suggest: Shift times for drinking. Increase fluid intake earlier in the day and reduce it later in the day.Get your child on a regular urination schedule (every two to three hours) and right before bedtime.Make your child feel good about progress by consistently rewarding successes.At night, start by eliminating caffeine (such as chocolate milk and cocoa) and if this doesn’t work, cut citrus juices, artificial flavorings, dyes (especially red) and sweeteners. Many parents don’t realize these can all irritate a child’s bladder.If schools allow, give your child a water bottle so they can drink steadily all day. This avoids excessive thirst after school. Consider if constipation is a factor.
Because the rectum is right behind the bladder, difficulties with constipation can present themselves as a bladder problem, especially at night. This affects about one third of children who wet the bed, though children are unlikely to identify or share information about constipation. Don’t wake children up to urinate. Randomly waking up a child at night and asking him or her to urinate on demand isn’t the answer, either – and will only lead to more sleeplessness and frustration. Don’t resort to punishment. Getting angry at your child doesn’t help him learn. The process doesn’t need to involve conflict. Try a bedwetting alarm if other options fail If the above strategies don’t help, a bedwetting alarm is often the solution. You can clip the alarm to the child’s underwear or place it on the pad on the bed. Once the device detects any moisture, the alarm goes off. “But, parents should not expect the alarm to wake up the child. Instead, this is a signal that they need to get up to wake their child;
get him or her into the bathroom; clean off the bed; and repeat the process.” Medications: not usually recommended Although there are medications, including a synthetic form of a hormone, that can address bedwetting, Dr. Rhee doesn’t prescribe them unless a child is already on the medication. “There are side effects,” she says. “Plus it’s a temporary fix, a Band-Aid remedy, when what we want is an overall solution.” Does my child want to learn? Families often wonder if a child is bedwetting on purpose. Parents will ask, “‘Doesn’t he want to get better?’” Dr. Janjua often tells parents that it’s typically not their fault nor is it their child’s fault. “I tell them not to get too stressed, because this issue often resolves on its own,” she says. Dr. Rhee says it’s also important to talk to your child to see if there is motivation to change. “If he’s still sneaking drinks late at night and eating what he shouldn’t, then it doesn’t make sense to invest in an expensive bedwetting alarm.
So, I directly ask a child if his bedwetting bothers him, to find out if it’s the parents’ frustration that brought the child to the appointment or his own,” Dr. Rhee says. As the child gets older and has opportunities to go to slumber parties and weekend trips, bedwetting can affect his or her confidence and social life. This will most likely motivate the child to solve the problem and avoid feeling embarrassed. When bedwetting signals more serious issues Occasionally, bedwetting is a sign of something more significant, including: Sleep apnea — If a child snores a lot or otherwise shows signs of sleep apnea, Dr. Rhee will investigate further; otherwise, this is not a first course of evaluation of a child with bedwetting issues. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) – A urine sample can detect these infections, which is a typical test doctors will order when bedwetting is an issue. Diabetes – A urine sample can also detect diabetes in children. If a child also has daytime incontinence, age is something to consider.