How to know if your child's bedwetting is a problem
By Jane Clarke|
As a society, we tend to look at bedwetting as something that children will simply 'grow out of'.
And while it is a common experience for young kids and not necessarily something to be immediately concerned about, sometimes this isn't the case.
The truth is that only 1 in 7 children will stop bedwetting without intervention.
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Knowing when to seek professional help is not only important for the physical and emotional health of your child, but can help to alleviate the stress and frustration that bedwetting often causes on the whole family.
Here are three signs that your child's bedwetting may be a problem and how you can help to prevent it.
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If bedwetting still occurs after age 7
As our children grow, their bodies will gradually develop bladder control that allows them to sleep dry through the night.
It's common for instances of bedwetting to occur as their bodies develop, however this usually stops around the age of four or five years old.
By this point, most children have developed the voluntary control and awareness needed to know when their bladder is filling up, resulting in greater continence throughout the night.
With this in mind, if your child is still wetting the bed by the age of six or seven years old จC especially if they have instances of bedwetting most nights of the week จC it's important to seek professional continence advice.
Treatment for bedwetting, also known as nocturnal enuresis, can be considered at this age and is best to be explored sooner rather than later in accordance with medical advice.
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If it's impacting your child's wellbeing
Bedwetting can not only be physically uncomfortable for your child, but it can also become emotionally distressing too.
Feelings of shame and guilt are common amongst children who frequently wet the bed, and in some cases it can even influence instances of bullying at school or in the home.
If your child's bedwetting begins to take its toll on their mental health, manifesting in chronic feelings of anxiety, sadness, or anger, it's important to seek help both for their physical and emotional wellbeing.
This is especially important in cases where bedwetting is causing anger, frustration or stress amongst the entire family, as this can further impact your child.
While it can be difficult to manage the problem, it's important to remember that your child has no control over their incontinence and a supportive, patient, and understanding approach will help to achieve the best outcomes.
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If your child is experiencing daytime incontinence
If your child is struggling with incontinence during the day in addition to wetting the bed at night, there may be further underlying factors at play that require professional attention.
A few important signs to look out for include sudden and uncontrollable urges to urinate, frequently passing small amounts of urine, and the feeling of pain or discomfort while they are urinating.
There are plenty of treatment options and supportive products available for children who may be struggling with continence issues, so getting professional help is the first step to figuring out what is best for your child.
Tips for preventing bedwetting
While it's not always possible to treat bedwetting at home, there are a few things you can do to help combat the problem.
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Establish a regular drinking and toileting regime: Ensuring your child starts drinking water earlier in the day and stops around two hours before bedtime can help combat bedwetting. It's also a good idea to encourage going to the toilet prior to getting into bed to ensure their bladder is empty as they go to sleep.
Reduce caffeine intake: Caffeine can irritate the bladder and make incontinence issues worse, so limiting your child's caffeine intake may help with bedwetting. Beverages like hot chocolate, energy drinks, and cola contain caffeine, so they are best avoided as much as possible, especially later in the day.
Treat constipation issues: You might be surprised to learn that constipation and bedwetting often go hand-in-hand. If your child is struggling with both of these issues, it's a good idea to work with your doctor to determine a treatment and prevention plan for the constipation. When this problem is alleviated, some children find that bedwetting resolves itself without any further intervention.
Seek professional advice and management products: Finally, if bedwetting continues despite healthy bladder and bowel habits, it is best to seek professional medical advice. Waiting for the issue to resolve itself may only make the situation worse, especially if your child is experiencing stress and anxiety as a result of the problem.
The great news is that there are many treatment options available, so getting help sooner rather than later can help you and your child better understand and manage the issue.
While you're seeking help, products such as ConfidenceClub's range for youth can provide children with the confidence they need to do all the things they love จC whether it's school, sport, or sleepovers จC without their continence troubles getting in the way.
By understanding what to look out for when it comes to bedwetting, you can provide the support your child needs to one day enjoy a restful, dry night's sleep.
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