Sleepovers are exciting for most children, but for bed wetters, overnights can be scary for fear of having an accident while asleep. More than 5 million children over the age of 6 wet the bed, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Bed-wetting, or enuresis, can be treated through a number of practices so your child can enjoy those sweets, scary stories and a secure night's sleep at his friend's house.
Causes
Enuresis can be caused by a number of factors. Your child may have a small bladder, an inability to recognize a full bladder or a hormonal imbalance where she doesn't produce enough of the antidiuretic hormone to slow nighttime urine. Sleep apnea and chronic constipation also cause enuresis. If your child develops enuresis after normally being dry at night, stress or diabetes may be the cause.
Daily Practices
Regular urination every two hours during the day may help empty your child's bladder so he can stay dry at night. Make sure your child gets plenty of fluids during the day, but limit fluids at night. Keep your child away from caffeinated beverages like soft drinks and foods like chocolate. Have your child urinate before his bedtime routine and then right before sleep. Discuss these practices with the adults in charge of the sleepover.
Alarm
A nighttime alarm will help keep your child dry during the night. Moisture alarms sound when your child begins to urinate so she can wake up and finish urinating in the toilet. Moisture alarms are available at pharmacies without a prescription. Talk to the parents in charge of the sleepover and ask one of them to wake your child up before the time she usually wets the bed so she can use their bathroom. Additionally, ask the parents to wake up your child first in the morning so she can use the bathroom and change any wet clothing before the other children wake up.
Sleeping Equipment
With sleepover products designed for children with enuresis, your child doesn't have to worry about a wet spot on his sleeping bag or on his pajamas. Line your child's sleeping bag with a washable, waterproof liner that will absorb any urine. Buy your child disposable, absorbent underwear he can change out of and toss in the trash if he wets himself during the night. Pharmacies and medical retailers sell these products.
Medications
Depending on the cause of your child's bed-wetting, your doctor may prescribe medication. If your child produces too much urine at night, the drug desmopressin acetate may be prescribed in pill form. Oxybutynin or hyoscyamine are drugs that reduce bladder contractions and increase bladder capacity. The antidepressant imipramine may be prescribed to change your child's sleeping pattern and help your child hold urine or produce less urine. Each drug has possible side effects your doctor should discuss with you.
