Parenting is hard enough, but it becomes more complicated when a toddler who should be able to use the bathroom without any assistance keeps bedwetting. Wetting the bed can be an embarrassing issue among kids, but it’s actually very common.
According to a survey by the National Health Institute, United States, 15 per cent of children still wet the bed by age five. It quickly adds that less than five per cent of those kids do so by ages eight to 11.
Bedwetting, also known as bladder incontinence, has medical, emotional and psychological implications on the self esteem of the child if not handled properly. For instance, a child with bladder incontinence would likely be the butt of jokes from his/her siblings, friends and peers in school and at home.
Doctors say that parents must know that bedwetting is often a normal part of growing up and help them to overcome it. According to Consultant Urologist, Dr. Taiwo Olaniran, most children don’t stay dry at night until about the age of three.
Olaniran notes that many things can lead to bedwetting, hence parents should not treat it as an emotional or psychological problem which could lead to self esteem issues for the child later in life.
The specialist notes that rather than condemning the child or throwing blames around, the parent – especially the mother – should show more support to help the child outgrow the stage.
Oladiran states, “Many of us wet the bed at one point or the other while we were growing up. In fact, bedwetting often runs in families. If you or your partner wet the bed as a child, talk with your child about it. It will help him see that people do outgrow it. And it may help him feel less alone and embarrassed.
“Reassure your child by being supportive. He isn’t wetting the bed on purpose. And bedwetting isn’t typically a sign of emotional or physical problem. Explain that it is normal, very common, and that he won’t always wet the bed.”
He, however, notes that parents should consider seeing a doctor if a child keeps bedwetting after the age of nine.
Oladiran states that many things – including infection in the bladder and hormonal imbalance in the kid – can lead to bedwetting, hence the need for mothers to be vigilant.
The physician says children whose reproductive organs have been exposed to some bacteria and viruses due to poor hygiene may contract infections, and if such is not detected or treated may lead to bedwetting in the child.
“If your child is bedwetting after the age of nine, then you may have to see a doctor or a paediatrician. It could be slower development of bladder control. There may be hormonal issues.
“The most common medical reason why children wet bed after the age of eight is infection in the bladder. And for this we should even blame the parents. We must teach our children the best hygiene – that is cleaning up before and after using any toilet. Also, wash your hands to ensure that you don’t transfer germs in the environment to sensitive organs in the body.
“Don’t treat your child’s bedwetting incident as a spiritual problem; see a doctor. With monitoring and treatment, the infection can be treated successfully. Also, don’t use herbal medicines or patronise quacks. Infections do not respond to herbs but specific drugs.”
Experts at Mayo Clinic say that stress and anxiety can be a cause. They note that if a child who has been dry suddenly starts bedwetting, parents must check the schedule of the child to ensure that he/she is not stressed out.
They also add that the phenomenon is more common among boys than girls. So, if your boy is still bedwetting at six, it is not unusual.
You may also want to ensure that your child goes to bed early, so they can get up in the middle of the night to urinate. Poor sleeping hours, experts add, may lead to bedwetting.
Although most children eventually outgrow this phase, here are some steps you can take as a parent to help your child keep dry through the night.
Use moisture alarm: A moisture alarm wakes your child the second he wets the bed. The interruption in sleep can condition the brain to control the bladder better and help prevent accidents. This method is about 75 per cent effective, and tends to work when children themselves are ready to be dry.
Use waterproof mattress: If moisture alarms and medication are not for you, you can try simpler measures. Make sure the bed has a waterproof mattress cover or pad and pillow cases, and stock up.
Help change the sheets: If your child sleeps through the night in a wet bed, you might also want to ask him to help change the sheets in the morning. Doing so can help him take responsibility for the bedwetting. Helping change the sheets can make him feel part of the solution rather than the problem.
Check for constipation: Constipation is a common cause for bladder problems. When the rectum, located just behind the bladder, is filled with large or hard poop, there is more pressure on the bladder. This causes bladder instability, which, in turn, can lead to night time (or even day time) accidents.
If you notice that your child isn’t having a daily bowel movement or if his stool is typically hard, increase his fluid and fibre intake. Apple juice, fruits, vegetables and whole grains are all good options to help ease constipation and get the system working better again.
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