Myths And Facts About Bedwetting
Summary: There are beliefs that many hold regarding wetting the bed at night. I want to present a few of the myths and then present the true facts. There are things parents can do to help their child who wets the bed.

Myth 1
A cause of bedwetting is psychological. This infers there is something wrong with the child. It is a problem to “fix” if the child were “well.”

Fact 1
The American Academy of Pediatrics has stated that only about three percent of children who wet the bed have psychological or physical problems. For the rest of the children this is neither physical or psychological.

Myth 2
Bedwetting is also considered by some to be behavioral. They do it because they are mad at their parents or they want their parents mad. The bedwetting is done “on purpose”.

Fact 2
Bedwetting is not behavioral. It occurs for one of a few reasons. The bladder might not be the same size as most bladders-they can be smaller and therefore cannot hold the normal amount urine that fills the bladder and so it empties itself to make room for more urine. This is not under the child’s control.

Myth 3
Bedwetting is the fault of the parents.

Fact 3
The truth of the matter is that it is no one’s fault. There is the possibility that the child sleeps so deeply that they are not aware of the sensation of having to go to the bathroom.  Since the child does not awake to empty their bladder the quantity of urine becomes too much and it releases the urine.

Parents can limit liquids or not allow them after dinner or two hours before bedtime. Waking them during the night  and having them go to the bathroom is also something that could be tried.
There are also alarms that can be place on the child’s bed that will be set off at the first wetness starts. Medication is also available in some cases.

It is important that the blame game is stopped. Belittling them or punish does not work.  Most children will outgrow it in time. Involve the child in gathering their wet bedding and bring them to the washing machine and have them help make their beds. Be encouraging when they stay dry and try to help them deal with it. This will help to reduce the embarrassment and low self esteem a child can have because of bedwetting.