More than five million children in the United States over the age of 6 still wet their bed at night, according to the National Kidney Foundation. This condition often goes away on its own and is usually not a sign of serious medical or emotional issues. However, the condition can cause embarrassment and frustration for both the child and parent. Parents who take the time to learn more about the condition may find useful coping techniques to make the situation less troublesome for them and their child.
Causes
Although many things may contribute to bed-wetting, some factors are more common than others, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians, or AAFP. Bed-wetting may be genetic, which means children with parents, siblings or relatives who have suffered with this condition may be more likely to experience it themselves. Difficulty waking up from sleep, stress, hormonal factors, urinary tract infections, abnormalities of the spinal cord and a smaller than average bladder may also play a role. In addition, physical abnormalities in the urethral valves in boys or ureter in girls or boys may also contribute to the problem.
Prevention
A few simple lifestyle modifications may help prevent the child from wetting the bed. Parents should encourage their child to drink more throughout the day, but limit their fluid intake several hours before bed. It is also useful to remind the child to go to the bathroom right before bedtime. Some parents find that waking their child up once or twice during the night to encourage them to use the bathroom also eliminates nighttime bed-wetting. Using a motivational award system, such as a sticker chart, may also prove useful in some situations. Some children may also find that intentionally holding their urine for increasingly longer periods of time throughout the day may help strengthen the bladder so it can hold more urine, according to the AAFP.
Coping
Parents should be mindful of their reaction when the bed-wetting occurs. Refrain from becoming angry, yelling or punishing the child for the bed-wetting. A child who wets the bed often feels embarrassed and ashamed enough without having to deal with an angry parent. Instead, remain calm and matter-of-fact about the situation. It is appropriate for children who wet the bed to clean up after themselves, but this should be viewed as a natural consequence of bed-wetting and not a punishment, explains the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Misconceptions
Bed-wetting is not usually a mental or behavioral problem. It does not happen because the child is disobeying his parent or is too lazy to go to the bathroom. Almost all cases of bed-wetting are unintentional, and children should not be punished for this condition. Although it can be frustrating for parents, some children under the age of six may not be developmentally capable of staying dry throughout the night. Treatment for bed-wetting for children under the age of six is usually not necessary, according to the AAFP.
Warning
Although most cases of bed-wetting are harmless and will discontinue on their own with no intervention necessary, bed-wetting can be a sign of another medical condition, explains KidsHealth.org. Children who abruptly begin wetting the bed after being consistently dry for over six months and those who begin to wet themselves during the day should see a doctor for evaluation. Those who experience feet or ankle swelling, frequent urination, an increase in appetite or burning or pain during urination should also see a doctor. In addition, children who are over seven years of age and still wet the bed regularly should be evaluated as well.
