For many parents, learning that their child still wets the bed after potty training can feel uncomfortable and possibly even scary. The truth is that bedwetting is not necessarily a serious cause for concern, and sometimes treatment is available to help address your concerns. When you learn more about bedwetting, you can feel more comfortable with the idea and it can help you bring up those concerns to a doctor.
What Causes Bedwetting?
Several conditions can lead to bedwetting. For example, your child could have a small bladder or a urinary tract infection. Some children wet the bed as a response to stress, fear, or a neurological disorder. Children with sleep apnea or a hormonal imbalance could also wet the bed. Conditions like diabetes also impact your child's bladder, so it is important to take your child to a doctor if you believe he or she wets the bed.
You may be able to spot some risk factors in your child. For example, your child's gender, age, and family history may indicate a likelihood for bedwetting. Children with certain disorders may wet the bed more often as well
Stress is incredibly difficult for children to deal with. Children who deal with stress may have recently moved into a new home, changed schools, or had a new family member enter the home. For example, a new step-parent or the birth of a new sibling could bring about bedwetting.
Can You Prevent Bedwetting?
One of the best ways to prevent bedwetting is to ensure that your child does not drink to excess before bed. While your child needs water throughout the day, try to avoid concentrating most liquid consumption later in the evening. You should also encourage your child to use the toilet before bed.
Therapy to deal with stress is also helpful for some children to deal with the issues that lead to bedwetting. You might also look for ways to reduce stress around the house.
Doctors who find a physical reason for bedwetting may provide treatment in the form of prescription medications. Often, treating a physical issue is the best way to combat such issues.
Remember that punishing your child for wetting the bed is not a good way to contend with the problem. The issues that prompt bedwetting may actually be much more complex than you think.
While most children outgrow bedwetting, you should talk to your child's pediatrician. When lifestyle modifications simply don't work, you have other options.