subject: Basic Bed Wetting 101! [print this page] As a parent we have many obstacles to overcome when raising children. One of the most frustrating is bedwetting. We thought we had our child potty trained, but all of a sudden we have a child waking up with soggy pajamas and wet bed sheets wondering what happened! For a parent it brings on extra work in stripping the bed down and getting everything cleaned and back on the bed. For the child there is guilt and embarrassment.
Realize that your child is not doing this on purpose to irritate you. It is an involuntary function, and you need to be patient with your child. Let your child know they can talk to you about their feelings and what might be bothering them. Once they express their feelings and your child feels loved and their emotions are calmed the bed wetting may stop.
Prepare for easy cleanup by using a plastic mattress cover and have extra kids bedding and clean pajamas handy. It's also okay to have your child help you clean up and make the bed, as you can praise them for their effort giving them a feeling of control. Above everything don't punish your child or let other brothers or sisters tease them for wetting the bed. They probably are already dealing with low self esteem, and they don't need anyone's help.
Bedwetting is quite common, occurring in approximately 20 percent of children after the age of three. Normally bed-wetting before the age of 6 or 7 is not a cause for alarm. Although as a parent we do tend to be concerned. For children between the ages of 8 and 11 years old, only about 5 percent are affected by bed wetting. It is always best to consult your child's physician no matter what their age, especially if your child has begun wetting the bed after having successfully stayed dry for a period of time. And if urination is painful or pinkish in color and you find your child has been unusually thirsty, you should call you doctor as soon as possible to set up an appointment.
In the meantime you can:
*Limit the amount of fluid your child is drinking in the evening
*Limit the amount of caffeine in your child's drinks, snacks, and chocolate at night
*Encourage multiple bathroom trips before bed, again before falling asleep, and parent wake them enough to go right before you go to bed.
*Praise your child when there is a dry night.
*No punishments for bed wetting - they don't like it as much as you.
Doctors do not know exactly what causes bed wetting but there are some common factors such as:
*A bladder that may not be developed sufficiently to hold urine through the night.
*It is hereditary
*If child is a deep sleeper a full bladder does not wake your child
*Stress caused of a new baby in the family, starting school, divorce in family.
*Urinary tract infection
*May be the first symptom of diabetes
*Chronic constipation
Before going to the doctor you will want to make a list of questions you may have along with any symptoms you are aware of and let your doctor know which vitamins or medications your child is taking. The more information you can give the doctor the better diagnosis they can make. The doctor will most likely perform a physical exam and have urine tests to rule out any signs of diabetes or infection. Sometimes an x-ray or ultra sound may be done to check the kidneys or bladder.
More often than not children outgrow bedwetting, and if it is hereditary, your child will most likely grow out of it about the same age as the parent or family member did. There are moisture alarms available that take only a few weeks to see some results and possibly up to several months before benefiting from completely dry nights. They are effective and have fewer side effects than the medication that can be prescribed. Your doctor is the best one to advise you as what will be the greatest benefit to your child.
Remember, most children outgrow this and with the family's love, support, and understanding dry nights will soon be on the horizon.
