Bed Wetting
By Monica Leonard, CPNP Bed-wetting, also called nocturnal enuresis, is a common problem in children and some adolescents. Bed-wetting affects about fifteen percent of five to six year old children, and three percent of ten-year-olds. Only about one to two percent of adolescents wet the bed. Boys are affected more often than girls. Bed-wetting often runs in families. Usually, bed-wetting resolves by the age of seven. Occasionally, it may last until the age of twelve. As a child gets older, bed-wetting may cause stress for both the child and his or her parents.
Most children with nocturnal enuresis have normal kidneys and no underlying physical problems. Bed-wetting is not an emotional or behavioral problem, but it can lead to poor self-esteem and family stress if not managed properly. Occasionally, bed-wetting will develop when there is unusual stress or major changes in a child’s life. It is always important to handle the problem in a manner that is supportive and helpful to the child.
By Monica Leonard, CPNP Bed-wetting, also called nocturnal enuresis, is a common problem in children and some adolescents. Bed-wetting affects about fifteen percent of five to six year old children, and three percent of ten-year-olds. Only about one to two percent of adolescents wet the bed. Boys are affected more often than girls. Bed-wetting often runs in families. Usually, bed-wetting resolves by the age of seven. Occasionally, it may last until the age of twelve. As a child gets older, bed-wetting may cause stress for both the child and his or her parents.
Most children with nocturnal enuresis have normal kidneys and no underlying physical problems. Bed-wetting is not an emotional or behavioral problem, but it can lead to poor self-esteem and family stress if not managed properly. Occasionally, bed-wetting will develop when there is unusual stress or major changes in a child’s life. It is always important to handle the problem in a manner that is supportive and helpful to the child.
What causes bed wetting?
Some factors associated with bed-wetting
include:
· Children who are “deep sleepers” do not wake up when their bladders are full
· Small bladder capacity
· Hormone levels
· Diet and fluid intake patterns
· Children who are “deep sleepers” do not wake up when their bladders are full
· Small bladder capacity
· Hormone levels
· Diet and fluid intake patterns
How can I help my child who wets the bed?
·
Avoid punishment and/or humiliation.
· Avoid fluids containing caffeine and carbonation.
· Limit the amount of fluids the child drinks two hours before bedtime.
· Have the child go to the bathroom while getting ready for bed and again before he gets into bed.
· Wake the child several hours after he or she goes to bed to go to the bathroom. Perhaps when the parents go to bed.
· Make it easy for the child to get to the bathroom at night-keep the bathroom light on or use a nightlight.
. Protect the bed with a plastic cover.
· Allow the child to assume some responsibility for helping with wet sheets.
· Praise the child for his or her efforts and successes.
· Avoid fluids containing caffeine and carbonation.
· Limit the amount of fluids the child drinks two hours before bedtime.
· Have the child go to the bathroom while getting ready for bed and again before he gets into bed.
· Wake the child several hours after he or she goes to bed to go to the bathroom. Perhaps when the parents go to bed.
· Make it easy for the child to get to the bathroom at night-keep the bathroom light on or use a nightlight.
. Protect the bed with a plastic cover.
· Allow the child to assume some responsibility for helping with wet sheets.
· Praise the child for his or her efforts and successes.
Other alternative methods:
If home methods are unsuccessful,
other methods to discuss with your child’s
pediatrician may include:
· Moisture alarms. These devices are designed to set off a buzzer or vibration when moisture is detected
· Bladder-stretching exercises
· Medication
· Moisture alarms. These devices are designed to set off a buzzer or vibration when moisture is detected
· Bladder-stretching exercises
· Medication
When a child continues to wet the bed at the age of
6 or 7, the problem should be discussed with the
child’s pediatrician. The pediatrician can
determine whether any physical conditions are
contributing to the problem and if tests are
needed. In most cases, bed-wetting is a
self-limiting problem and rarely indicates disease.
Once a child is 6 to 8 years old, a number of therapy methods may be started at home. No one approach has been shown to be most effective. It is important that the child is ready and motivated to work on staying dry at night. Success requires the involvement of both parents and the child.
Once a child is 6 to 8 years old, a number of therapy methods may be started at home. No one approach has been shown to be most effective. It is important that the child is ready and motivated to work on staying dry at night. Success requires the involvement of both parents and the child.