Bed Wetting

May 19, 2018 Source: Internal - Gleb Danylov

Waking up in the middle of the night with soggy sheets is a familiar scene for many of us when we were children. This does not mean that you were not toilet trained, and it is a normal part of child development. Before the age of seven, bed-wetting is not a huge concern and could just mean that the child is still developing night-time bladder control.

Usually children are fully comfortable with their potty training by the age of 5; however bed wetting can still occur and should not be treated with hostility or shame. If bed-wetting still continues after the age of 7, it can indicate that there are other underlying issues and you should consult a doctor.

There are no definite causes of bed-wetting but some factors play a role:

  • Your child does not have a fully developed bladder or still does not have complete control over it
  • The child may have an inability to recognize when they have a full bladder due to a hormone imbalance.
  • Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing is interrupted in the middle of the night.

Bed wetting is usually more common among boys than girls, and there are several risks that have been identified leading to increased bed wetting. For instance, stressful events that have caused the child with stress and anxiety such as switching schools, moving to a new house can result in bed wetting. Furthermore, bed wetting is more common if there is a family history of it occurring and if the child has attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD).

Although embarrassing, bed-wetting does not pose any health risk. However, they might be left out of social events such as sleepovers leading to a lower self-esteem.

Usually, your child will grow out of bed-wetting, however if it continues to persist there are some treatment options available. Going to a doctor to understand any nightly routines or discussion of symptoms might lead to an increased understanding of the reasons behind this occurrence. Furthermore, there are moisture alarms that can be attached to the child’s bed sheets or pyjamas which will detect when the child starts urinating, allowing them to wake up and go to the washroom. This can take up to a month to achieve dry nights. However, if none of these methods work, your doctor can prescribe anti-diuretics that reduces urine production.