Reasons for Bed-Wetting and How to Cure the Problem

The Mayo Clinic website states that wetting the bed is not a sign of bad toilet training but is sometimes just a development stage. Bed-wetting is normally the result of not being able to control the urge to urinate while sleeping. If your kids are still wetting the bed and they are under the age of 7 don't worry about it too much, but when the problem persists then it needs to be treated with tolerance, understanding and compassion.

Most kids are fully toilet trained by the time they are 4 years, but there is really not any set time when their bladders are fully controlled. According to Mayo Clinic about 40 percent of the children under the age of 4 still wet the bed but at 5 years of age only 10 to 15 percent were still bed-wetting.

While nobody knows for certain what the cause of bed-wetting is, Mayo Clinic has suggested that the following factors may contribute to the problem:

1. Full bladder-Often a full bladder won't wake a child because nerves that control the bladder haven't fully developed.

2. Worry-When kids worry about things like starting a new school or getting a new sister or brother it often causes a child to start wetting the bed.

3. Physical problems-Although rare, sometimes problems with the urinary system will cause a child to wet the bed.

4. Infection-Of ten an infection in the urinary tract will make it hard for a child to control urination at night or sometimes during the day along with their going often or with pain.

5. Hormonal imbalance-When a child doesn't produce enough anti-diuretic hormones it may not cause urine production to slow at night.

6. Sleep apnea-When breathing is interrupted by sleep apnea it could cause bed-wetting. Tonsil or adenoid problems could be the cause and signs of it can be snoring, infection of ear or throat or having daytime drowsiness.

7. Bladder size-If the child's bladder hasn't grown enough to contain all the night's urine production they may have an accident.

8. Diabetes-If a child has been dry and suddenly starts bed-wetting this may be a sign of type 1 diabetes. Signs of this could be large amounts of urine being passed at a time, increased thirst, tiredness and weight loss even while eating well.

9. Constipation-When a child doesn't have normal bowel movements they may retain enough urine to cause them to wet the bed at night.

Remember that your kid doesn't wet their bed just to make you mad. It's something they can't control, so it doesn't make sense to punish them for bed-wetting. You need to have a lot of patience while you help your child work through their problem.

Some of things the Mayo Clinic suggest that you and your child can do to solve this problem:

1. Start some good habits such as limiting what they drink in the evening and don't let them drink at all in the hour before they go to bed. Make sure they go to bathroom just before going to sleep and maybe getting them up to go when you go to bed. Make sure your child knows its OK to go during the night. Have enough light for them to see the way to and from the bathroom.

2. Bedtime-Often moving up the bedtime so they get extra sleep will help them stop wetting the bed.

3. Emotions-Talk to your child and let them know if they are worried or have stress they can tell you about it. When someone listens and they relax the bed-wetting may stop.

4. Easy cleanup-Have an easy cleanup plan such as using a plastic cover on their mattress and having them wear high absorbent underwear. Be sure to have more bedding and bed clothes handy

5. Get your child's help-Have them rinse out their wet bedclothes and put them in a certain place to be washed. By taking responsibility for their bed-wetting, it may help them feel like they have more control over their problem.

6. Praise-By praising a child when they keep to their bedtime routine and for cleaning up after an accident, you'll have a positive impact on their efforts to control bed-wetting. Don't punish or tease a kid when they wet the bed because it won't help and may even make the problem worse.

Bed-wetting for a child is very traumatic especially when it limits their activities such as sleeping overnight, scout trips and similar activities. With a lot of understanding and patience on your part and with your child's help and cooperation the bed-wetting can cease, which will normalize their lives as well as yours.

Sources:

Mayo Clinic- http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bed-wetting/DS00611