Wetting the bed is a very common problem that has been studied extensively. There are a lot of misconceptions about wetting the bed. So let’s get you up to speed on the facts.

- The medical term for bedwetting is enuresis (pronounce: en-yoo-ree-sus).
- Children do not wet the bed on purpose. It’s not a behavioural problem.

Let’s start with the good news. Almost all children who wet the bed eventually stop. Learning to control your bladder takes time. So wetting the bed isn’t even an issue before the age of six. It’s a normal part of child development and parents can not do anything to speed up this process.

It’s hard to tell what exactly causes bed-wetting. It’s usually a combination of factors. Here are some of the factors researchers found:

- Wetting the bed runs in the family.
- Children who wet the bed are often very heavy sleepers.
- Stress.
- A small bladder.

Bed-wetting may also be caused by a medical problem. If your child is wetting the bed above the age of six, it is probably a good idea to see your house doctor. Some of the most common medical reasons for wetting the bed are.

- Urinary tract infections.
- Problems with the urethral valves in boys or in the ureter in girls or boys.
- Problems with the spinal cord.
- Problems with hormones.
- Slower than normal development of the central nervous system.

There are a lot of different treatments for bed-wetting. It’s always a good idea to discuss these with your doctor. Here are some of your options.

- Limit the amount of fluids your child drinks after diner. You still need to make sure he of she drinks enough during the day.
- Bladder training: Let your child practice holding his or her urine for longer times during the day. This can stretch the bladder so it can hold more urine during the night.
- An alarm system that goes of when your child starts wetting the bed. It helps children become more aware of bladder sensations.
- A reward system for dry nights.
- Having children take more responsibility by changing the bed sheets themselves.

When your child changes the bed sheets himself, the brain starts to associate wetting the bed with having to change the bed sheets at a subconscious level. Never use ‘changing the bed sheets’ as a punishment. Children have no conscious control over wetting the bed. If you use a reward system for dry nights, also make sure you appreciate your child just for being himself. Make sure that your child understands that he or she is always good enough and loved as a person. And that the reward is only about the behavior of not wetting the bed. These are some of the things parents can do.

MOST IMPORTANT
The most important thing any parent can do is to remember to give your child room to vent frustration and talk about shameful feelings if they want to. And to instill the message that they are always worthy and that you do not see them as lazy or untidy. It is much more important that your child feel good about himself than trying to change wetting the bed. Bed-wetting usually goes away but your child’s self-esteem stays for a lifetime and greatly influences the quality of his life. Let’s not lose track of what is really important. You can find more information about allowing your child to talk about feelings and building self-esteem in our ‘Sam and Bear Make Friends’ parents guide. You may comment on this parenting advice below.

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