Bed wetting is a situation that many parents find themselves having to deal with. Sometimes the problem can prove to be both trying as well as perplexing. This problem not only affects the parent but also can have an effect on the self-esteem and mental disposition of the child involved. It is therefore important for any parent facing this dilemma to get all of the information possible to help them understand just why it is happening so they can better cope with eliminating this condition from their lives.

If you are an individual facing a child with this problem this article will give you a clearer understanding of not only why it may be happening but also some ways that you may find useful in stopping bed wetting in your and your child’s life.

The first thing you should understand is that your child doesn’t wet the bed on purpose. That means that you should not become angry or frustrated with them. This is a time your child will need support from you to help them through their situation.

Bed wetting can typically be of two different kinds. First is when the child has not been completely toilet trained this is called primary nocturnal incontinence. The other is the child has learned how to control the bladder and then begins to wet the bed this is called secondary nocturnal incontinence.

It is common that at least one parent of the children who wets to bed had the same problem as a child themselves. A parent can use this experience to relate to and console their own children thus eliminating mental pressure or anguish the child may be going through. It also seems that if the parent has had this problem it is likely that at least one of their children will encounter the problem also. Close to 20% of five-year old children still wet the bed, 5% at age 10 and 1% of those will continue bed wetting as adults.

When the child is under 6 years old and wetting the bed there is really no real need to be concerned since the cause may simply be a slow developing central nervous system.

Your child does not wet the bed because they are bad or lazy. It is not good to punish or scold them when wetting occurs. To keep your child from feeling bad about themselves, feeling low self-esteem, or self-worth give the child encouragement. Protect your child from the shame and embarrassment they can feel by the teasing and name calling of other children and siblings that may know of their problem.

After age 6 and if the child has stopped bed wetting for some time but then it starts up again on multiple occasions this may be cause for medical intervention. The doctor will require certain information about your child’s case for instance, a time line of occurrences. So it would be a good idea for you to record a history of the problem. When did the bed-wetting begin, how often does it occur and if there have been any dry periods?

Other things to make note of for the physician are if there is any troubles with daytime urination. Has the bed-wetting provoke awakening? What generally helps the predicament and what makes this poorer?

Things That May Help Stop Wetting The Bed

As a child’s body grows wetting the bed will lessen Here are a few things you can do before then to help fix this condition.

Slow the child’s intake of large amounts of liquids making sure they visit the toilet just before bedtime.

Use a rubber or plastic mattress cover to protect it from getting wet and having the odor of urine.

You may find the use of bed wetting alarms helpful. They have the ability to sense urine and sound an alarm that will awaken the child to use the bathroom. They help cure the problem 60% – 90% of the time but children often pick up bed wetting when the alarm is taken away. It’s best to use this type of alarm when the child already has developed some control of the bladder.

Bed wetting is a problem that usually gets better with time. If the parents stay calm and supportive, it is a problem that takes care of itself as the child’s body matures.