According to Mayo Clinic, in most instances, child incontinence (bed-wetting) decrease as a child grows and treatment is rarely suggested until at least age six. There are several ways to combat bed-wetting. Incontinence in children is often the result of a developmental delay called primary enuresis. Reasons for primary enuresis include an immature bladder and an inability to wake to urinate during sleep. Other medical reasons include stress, illness and infection. Eliminating food and water several hours before bedtime may assist in diminishing incontinence during the night. Practicing kegel exercises can also strengthen the pelvic floor to improve bladder control. Other treatment methods that require surgery are available if necessary but most non-invasive treatments are effective for normal developmental incontinence in children.
Medication
Medications suggested by Mayo Clinic treat incontinence by preventing unwanted bladder contractions, tightening or relaxing the bladder muscles depending upon the desired result. Childdevelopmentinfo.com suggests two medications, imipramine and desmpressin for treating child incontinence. The first medication works to improve the bladder functioning. The second can be applied as a nasal spray and helps the child's body make less urine temporarily.
Training Methods
Childdevelopmentinfo.com proposes three forms of training. The first is retention control training where a child is asked to hold her urine a few minutes before going. Gradually the time of retention is extended. This is thought to strengthen the muscle that prevents urine from seeping out. A second method is night-lifting where a child is woken up several times per night to use the bathroom. Finally, a moisture sensor is attached to the outside of pajamas and sounds an alarm when moisture is detected. This is thought to train the brain to respond to the bladder while sleeping.
Protection
Until incontinence or bed-wetting has been resolved for your child, there are many products available to protect your child and his environment from an accident. Regardless of a child's age or size there are waterproof undergarments that can be worn to protect clothing. At night, a plastic sheet or waterproof bed protector can save a mattress from ruin. Finally, a waterproof pad can be placed under the child before bed to prevent leaking onto the bed linens.
