Bedwetting, also known as nocturnal enuresis, is common among pre-schoolers. If you check with your mum, she might reveal that you too passed urine during sleep when you were young.
That’s because genetics can play a role in bedwetting as it has been found that there is a greater incidence of bedwetting in children whose parents had done the same. If both parents had a positive family history, the child will have 77 per cent chance of enuresis and if one parent had bedwetting history, there will be a 44per cent chance.
More Common In Boys
Bedwetting is more common in boys than girls since boys develop slower physically. A slow developing bladder muscle contracts and passes out the urine when the bladder is only half full. Large quantities of urine can be produced at night due to a lower ADH (anti-diuretic hormone) level since the mechanism that tells the body to produce less urine during sleep isn’t fully developed yet.
Furthermore, these children often sleep so deeply that they are not aware of the message sent to the brain, and therefore did not respond when the bladder is full. But rest assured that this type of bedwetting will be outgrown with time as your child develops physically.
Other Causes
Caffeinated sodas such as Coke and Pepsi have a diuretic effect which increase urine output. Thus avoid letting your child drink large amounts of fluid, in particular sodas, two hours before bedtime, so that the bladder can be fully emptied before sleep. But be sure that your child does not go to bed thirsty or dehydrated.
Your child may also wet the bed if he is stressed or emotionally upset during events such as separation of parents or entry to a new school. Chat with him about it and address the issue troubling him.
Dealing With It Naturally
Most kids outgrow bedwetting on their own. In the initial period, you may consider purchasing reusable or disposable absorbent undergarments and protect the bed with a moisture-proof mattress cover.
There are also discreet-looking diapers available that can get your child through this stage of development without embarrassing him. They look and feel just like a regular underwear, but are designed especially for bedwetting.
If your child is old enough, you can empower your child by involving him in the clean-up process. Keep clean pyjamas and bed-sheets by the bedside so that he can change if necessary. He can also help to carrying his soiled sheets to the laundry room in the morning. but be sure not to treat cleaning up as a punishment for the child.
In order to help him stay dry, you can also wake your child and help him to the bathroom right before you go to bed and periodically throughout the night. Lastly, bladder-stretching exercises can help your child develop greater bladder control. Ask your child to control urinating during the day by postponing it. The bladder can therefore learn to stretch and hold more urine at night.
Beat The Buzzer
If the problem still persists in older children above 7 years old, the use of a moisture alarm can help. The alarm consists of a sensor that attaches to the clothing and is set off when the child begins to wet the bed. Encourage your child to ‘beat the buzzer’ by waking up when there is an urge to urinate. If the alarm sounds, he should be taught to get out of bed and go to the toilet.
You can also provide a night light near the bed for easy movement. This slowly conditions the brain to respond appropriately during sleep. However, this method may cause sleep disturbances and stress. You should consider discussing with your doctor and explaining to your child before using it.
Medication
As a last resort, your doctor may prescribe medications such as imipramine (an antidepressant) which relaxes the bladder. The drug can cause serious side effects and needs to be closely monitored. Desmopressin, a synthetic version of the ADH, can also be taken as a nasal spray or tablet and helps the child to produce less urine.
While this medication is much safer than imipramine, it can still cause some side effects. Furthermore, medications provide short-term treatment but not a long-term cure. And bedwetting usually recurs when the medication is stopped. Therefore behavioural therapy is usually more helpful.
Esteem Issues
Children are often embarrassed by their bedwetting condition and tend to suffer from low self-esteem. Be aware that your child can be greatly affected by your attitude. Offer support and encouragement to reassure your child that the problem will get better in time.
You can even develop a reward system to encourage your child, such as stickers for the dry nights, and talk to him about the advantages of potty training to become a ‘big’ boy or girl.
You should let your child know that the problem is just a normal stage in life. Tell him that Mummy (or Daddy) also wet the bed when you were young.
That’s because genetics can play a role in bedwetting as it has been found that there is a greater incidence of bedwetting in children whose parents had done the same. If both parents had a positive family history, the child will have 77 per cent chance of enuresis and if one parent had bedwetting history, there will be a 44per cent chance.
More Common In Boys
Bedwetting is more common in boys than girls since boys develop slower physically. A slow developing bladder muscle contracts and passes out the urine when the bladder is only half full. Large quantities of urine can be produced at night due to a lower ADH (anti-diuretic hormone) level since the mechanism that tells the body to produce less urine during sleep isn’t fully developed yet.
Furthermore, these children often sleep so deeply that they are not aware of the message sent to the brain, and therefore did not respond when the bladder is full. But rest assured that this type of bedwetting will be outgrown with time as your child develops physically.
Other Causes
Caffeinated sodas such as Coke and Pepsi have a diuretic effect which increase urine output. Thus avoid letting your child drink large amounts of fluid, in particular sodas, two hours before bedtime, so that the bladder can be fully emptied before sleep. But be sure that your child does not go to bed thirsty or dehydrated.
Your child may also wet the bed if he is stressed or emotionally upset during events such as separation of parents or entry to a new school. Chat with him about it and address the issue troubling him.
Dealing With It Naturally
Most kids outgrow bedwetting on their own. In the initial period, you may consider purchasing reusable or disposable absorbent undergarments and protect the bed with a moisture-proof mattress cover.
There are also discreet-looking diapers available that can get your child through this stage of development without embarrassing him. They look and feel just like a regular underwear, but are designed especially for bedwetting.
If your child is old enough, you can empower your child by involving him in the clean-up process. Keep clean pyjamas and bed-sheets by the bedside so that he can change if necessary. He can also help to carrying his soiled sheets to the laundry room in the morning. but be sure not to treat cleaning up as a punishment for the child.
In order to help him stay dry, you can also wake your child and help him to the bathroom right before you go to bed and periodically throughout the night. Lastly, bladder-stretching exercises can help your child develop greater bladder control. Ask your child to control urinating during the day by postponing it. The bladder can therefore learn to stretch and hold more urine at night.
Beat The Buzzer
If the problem still persists in older children above 7 years old, the use of a moisture alarm can help. The alarm consists of a sensor that attaches to the clothing and is set off when the child begins to wet the bed. Encourage your child to ‘beat the buzzer’ by waking up when there is an urge to urinate. If the alarm sounds, he should be taught to get out of bed and go to the toilet.
You can also provide a night light near the bed for easy movement. This slowly conditions the brain to respond appropriately during sleep. However, this method may cause sleep disturbances and stress. You should consider discussing with your doctor and explaining to your child before using it.
Medication
As a last resort, your doctor may prescribe medications such as imipramine (an antidepressant) which relaxes the bladder. The drug can cause serious side effects and needs to be closely monitored. Desmopressin, a synthetic version of the ADH, can also be taken as a nasal spray or tablet and helps the child to produce less urine.
While this medication is much safer than imipramine, it can still cause some side effects. Furthermore, medications provide short-term treatment but not a long-term cure. And bedwetting usually recurs when the medication is stopped. Therefore behavioural therapy is usually more helpful.
Esteem Issues
Children are often embarrassed by their bedwetting condition and tend to suffer from low self-esteem. Be aware that your child can be greatly affected by your attitude. Offer support and encouragement to reassure your child that the problem will get better in time.
You can even develop a reward system to encourage your child, such as stickers for the dry nights, and talk to him about the advantages of potty training to become a ‘big’ boy or girl.
You should let your child know that the problem is just a normal stage in life. Tell him that Mummy (or Daddy) also wet the bed when you were young.
