An occasional wetting the bed is generally not something to be overly concerned about. If it seems to be that a child wets the bed more often than they stay dry. Bed wetting is also called enuresis. There are two types of enuresis.
The first type is the primary type. This the person who has wet the bed since they were babies.
The second is the secondary type. This can occur 6 months or later after bladder control has been achieved.
Children who wet the bed are often embarrassed and they have low self esteem. Teasing them, punishing them, or blaming them is counter-productive in helping children. Their bedwetting is not their fault. They don’t do it to get their parents mad or because they are mad at their parents.
They literally cannot control their bladders at night.
In finding out what is causing the problem parents’ may turn to anything they can to “cure” the problem. There is no cure per se, because most children at some point outgrow bedwetting. There are things that parents’ can try with their children to conquer wetting the bed.
It is recommended that children be given a complete physical that includes medical history. This includes previous health conditions, medications that the child has taken or is currently taking.
Their sleep and elimination habits are usually discussed. Discussion of any kind of stresses in the child’s life will discussed and evaluated. The urine will be tested and cultured for signs of any disease or defect in the construction of the bladder. The results are often normal in those with nocturnal enuresis.
The use of alarms are often helpful. The concern with alarms is that if the child is a deep sleeper, the alarm might not be heard by the child. There are vibrating alarms that can be beneficial as well.
Some things that parents’ can try include limiting liquids before bedtime. Making sure children go the bathroom before bed and waking them during the night might help. Certain foods should be avoided; foods like soda, coffee, tea, and chocolate can increase the production of urine.
Positive imagery can also help enuresis. Parents can learn how to use positive imagery and can then in turn, teach it to their children. The child is simply taught to picture themselves having dry nights. When the child does stay dry parents should encourage the child.
