Bed-wetting is extremely common, affecting up to 7 million American children, says the American Academy of Family Physicians. If your child still wets the bed past the age of 5, this doesn't necessarily mean that you've done a bad job at toilet-training. Bed-wetting may signal a slight developmental delay that may be hereditary in nature, but a pediatrician's help will be needed under certain circumstances.
About Bed-Wetting
Physicians use the term "nocturnal enuresis" to describe bed-wetting. This term is generally applied to children ages 5 or older who wet the bed at night more than two times a month, says the AAFP. No one factor causes bed-wetting. However, certain children are more predisposed to bed-wetting than others. Mayo Clinic experts note that bed-wetting is more common in males than females. Family history comes into play as well--if both you and your spouse were bed-wetters, your child has an 80 percent chance of wetting the bed as well. Finally, children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to experience nocturnal enuresis.
Some Causes
Physiological factors may cause bed-wetting. Mayo Clinic experts note that the child's bladder may still be too small to hold urine during the course of nighttime sleep. Some children lack sufficient amounts of anti-diuretic hormones, which slow down the production of urine at night. Medical conditions, such as diabetes, urinary tract infections, sleep apnea and constipation, can lead to bed-wetting. Additional causes include stress, a child's inability to recognize when his bladder is full and--rarely--an anatomical defect in the child's urinary or neurological system.
Prevention/Solution
Simple adjustments in lifestyle and routine may eliminate bed-wetting. Mayo Clinic experts suggest limiting your child's liquid intake to 8 oz. in the evening--especially those with caffeine--and encouraging voiding twice before bedtime and regularly during the course of the day. The AAFP points out that a bed-wetting alarm, which is worn by the child at night, has a high rate of cure. The alarm goes off as soon as the child begins to void, allowing him to get to the bathroom in time to finish. If the child's pediatrician prescribes the device, it may be covered under your health insurance plan. A pediatrician may also prescribe a medication called desmopressin to use alone or in conjunction with a bet-wetting alarm.
Warning
The AAFP states that the majority of children who wet their beds are perfectly healthy. But you should talk to your child's pediatrician if the child has stayed dry during the night and suddenly starts to wet the bed, she's older than 5 or 6 years old, or she exhibits other symptoms in addition to the bed-wetting, such as pain during urination, snoring, a high level of thirst or if blood-tinged urine. These symptoms may signal an underlying medical condition that requires treatment.
Talking to Your Child
To the sentient child capable of understanding and reason, bed-wetting can be a shameful or traumatic event. The AAFP advises you to remain upbeat, calm and encouraging. Never punish your child for wetting the bed or tease him because he had an "accident." Encourage him to take responsibility by asking him to help change bed linens and rinse soiled clothing. Praise him for his help, and assure him that bed-wetting will eventually be a thing of the past.
