subject: Bed Wetting Solutions for School Age Children [print this page] Bed Wetting Solutions for School Age Children
Many parents are alarmed when their school age child is still wetting the bed at night and start to research bed wetting solutions. Although most children have achieved bladder control by five years old, a certain percentage continue to wet the bed. Most children do eventually "grow out" of bedwetting but for those that continue to wet the bed, it can be a very distressing time.Limiting drinks before bed time is a common bed wetting solution. Limiting drinks at least two hours before bed and using the bathroom just before going to bed can help reduce bed wetting. Some studies have indicated that drinks which contain caffeine such as tea, coffee and sodas can contribute towards bedwetting. Stopping these drinks a couple of hours before bed time can help with bedwetting.Other bed wetting solutions include waking a child and taking them to the bathroom just before you go to bed in the hopes that they will go through the night without needing to urinate.Medication is not always a permanent solution for bedwetting but it is sometimes used as a short term solution. Usually as soon as the medication is stopped, the child reverts back to bed wetting. Medications can also have adverse side effects and you should make sure you are fully aware of the risks associated with medication.Motivational therapy is another sucessful bed wetting solution. This is where a child is rewarded, perhaps with stickers or a toy, for the desired behaviour which in this case would be a dry night.The most successful bed wetting solution is however, a bed wetting alarm. When a child has primary nocturnal enuresis, these devices have proved to be highly effective as a solution to bed wetting in children. A bedwetting alarm detects moisture and sounds an alarm which alerts the user of urination. With the continual use of the bedwetting alarm, the child will gradually be conditioned into waking up as soon as a full bladder is sensed. Eventually, the succcessful child will start to wake to go to the bathroom and over time will not need to urinate during the night.Success rates are improved when motivational therapy is used together with a bed wetting alarm. Research has shown that success rates are around 65-75% when a bedwetting alarm is used.You should never make a child feel guilty or ashamed because they wet the bed. They need help and support during this difficult time. For children that continue to wet the bed this distressing condition can impact their self esteem. It interferes with their social life, they are reluctant to go on sleepovers with friends and miss out on summer camps. Often they are bullied or teased.As there are some medical causes for bed wetting, it is always recommended that you discuss your concerns with your child's doctor.
