Bed-wetting – a cause for concern!

Waking up in the middle of the night to change your child’s bed sheet is the most dreaded problem every parent faces. Although bladder control is naturally gained, it so happens at different ages. Most 5 to 7 year old wet their beds with twice as many boys wetting their beds as girls and by the age of 10 most children overcome this habit.

Unlike tonsillitis or sinusitis, bed-wetting is problem rarely spoken outside the house. It is this secrecy that makes the situation tougher for parents and uncomfortable for kids. While kids worry about something being wrong with them, parents may come to the conclusion that their child is just lazy! Plus the embarrassment caused by siblings or playmates teasing adds on to the child’s trauma and fear.

Understanding the causes of bed-wetting is the right step to deal with this common childhood problem.

1. Delayed bladder maturation: Over a period of years, the brain gains control over the bladder. In some kids it may take a while longer – and that’s perfectly okay!
2. Deep sleepers: Some kids tend to sleep more deeply than others. So deeply that their brain doesn’t get the signal of the bladder being full.
3. Constipation: Bowels when full tend to press against the bladder causing the child to relieve oneself.
4. Low anti-diuretic hormone: This hormone causes the kidneys to produce less urine. Some kids who release less of this hormone tend to wet their beds more often.
5. Bed-wetting caused by medical problems is very rare and is possible due to urinary tract infection or deformities, diabetes, spinal cord problems and other such physical problems. A visit to the doctor is necessary.

All the above cases are common but the ones that may be a cause of worry are associated with children who have gained night-time bladder control but relapsed into bed wetting. Psychological stress in children, caused by a divorce/ estrangement or birth of a new sibling often leads to the recurrence of bed-wetting.

We need to understand that no child wets the bed on purpose and must follow a few simple yet effective measures that help cure the problem.

1. Encourage the child to use the toilet before sleeping.
2. Restrict fluid intake before bedtime.
3. Ensure your child has a clear, safe and easy access to the bathroom.
4. Try to get your child to wake up and use the toilet once every night.
5. Make a sticker chart and reward your child with a sticker every morning the bed is dry.
6. Use of diapers may interfere with the child’s motivation to wake up. Restricting diaper usage may work!
7. Avoid blaming or punishing the child for bed-wetting. Reassurance and encouragement works wonders!
8. As a rule, never allow siblings and friends to tease the child.
9. Including your child to clean up and rearrange the bed imparts a sense of responsibility.
10. Understand that bed-wetting is a common problem we all face and should be handled as a part of growing up. Positive attitude brings positive results!