Kids and Bed Wetting

Waking in the middle of the night to change your child's sheets after a bed-wetting episode is practically a rite of passage for parents. And it's more common than you think.

"I call it the hidden problem of childhood," says Howard Bennett, MD, a pediatrician and author of Waking Up Dry: A Guide to Help Children Overcome Bed-wetting  "Unlike asthma or allergies, it's just not talked about outside the house. It is considered as a Taboo"

The medical term for bed-wetting is "enuresis," which refers to bed-wetting that is not due to an abnormality of any portion of the urinary tract. This condition however often resolves itself in time. Medical treatments aren't usually recommended for children under the age of five as its common to wet the bed at this age (though exceptions can be made if a child finds bed-wetting particularly upsetting).  Bed-wetting is not an emotional or psychological problem, nor does it reflect a dysfunctional family. It is a problem of sleeping too deeply to be aware of bladder function. Constipation could also be one of the reasons for bed-wetting. Full bowels press on the bladder, and can cause uncontrolled bladder contractions, during waking or sleep.

There's no single approach to treating bed-wetting  but in most cases the recommended plan is to first try a combination of self-help techniques. Momsters lists down a few that you might want to give a try:

• Banish the Blame-Getting angry with your little one and punishing him for wetting the bed will only add pressure to stay dry and will make the problem worse.

• Encourage your child to pee before bedtime.

• Create an Incentives Chart-Consider adding a positive incentive, which can work on a subconscious level, to help your child end bed-wetting.

• Restrict your child's fluid intake before bed.

• Check for Constipation

• Cover the mattress with plastic.

• Bed-wetting alarms. These alarms sense urine and wake a child so they can use the toilet.

• Bladder stretching exercises that may increase how much urine the bladder can hold. You can check with your pediatrician about these.
• Medications.

So if your child is experiencing frequent bed-wetting and is finding it upsetting, do discuss it with your pediatrician for advice.

Good luck!