Bedwetting is common among young children and most will wet the bed at least once while others will wet the bed several times. Bedwetting is most common among children who have recently started toilet training and children aged up to 5 years old, but it can also affect much older children. In most cases, bedwetting is not the child's fault and the cause is usually physical, such as the bladder being too small or children sleeping too deeply to wake up when they need the toilet. Bedwetting is not a child's fault and punishing children is not beneficial and may be counterproductive. Some children take a lot longer to remain dry during the night than others.
Bedwetting can run in families so if a child's parents wet the bed when they were children, it is more likely that the child will also wet the bed.
The act is normally part and parcel of growing up, but it can also indicate underlying infections or nerve conditions. Children who have nerve disease may also wet themselves during the day.
It is not uncommon for children to start wetting the bed after a long period of staying dry. This can be triggered by stress or emotional anxiety caused by family problems or issues at school or even the birth of a new sibling.
There is no miracle solution for bedwetting but there are steps you can take to assist your child in staying dry at night, including:
Children may feel guilty and upset when they wet the bed so try to be comforting and understanding and let them know that it is not their fault. Never punish your child for wetting the bed as this can make them anxious and worried about going to bed. Encourage your child to use the toilet and be supportive because some children will take a lot longer than others to stay dry during the night.
When children are still young there is no need to worry about bedwetting as it is normal and happens to most children. However, if your child is older than seven years old and they wet the bed on a regular basis, or your child is over the age of 5 and they have accidents during the day and night, it may be worth arranging to see your doctor.
When you see a doctor they will ask about the frequency of bedwetting and your child's general health. They will usually take a urine sample to check for infections which may be causing the bedwetting. The doctor will also check the child's reflexes for signs of nerve damage. In some cases, bedwetting may be a symptom of diabetes and this will be investigated.
If an infection is present medication will be prescribed, but in most cases doctors find that children are healthy and just taking a little longer to remain dry.
Your doctor will discuss possible treatment methods to aid your child in staying dry during the night, including: