Bed-wetting: Everything parents need to know

"Oh my baby still wets the bed at night...!" 😟 This is a problem that many parents face. Sometimes this can be a problem not only for children, but also for adults. So what is bed- wetting ? Let's understand this properly. Then it will be easier to find a solution to this problem.

What is Nocturnal Enuresis?

Simply put, if a child constantly wets the bed while sleeping, even by the age of 6-7, that is called bed -wetting or nocturnal enuresis. Usually, by this age, children should be used to controlling their urine at night.

Is this normal?

Yes, this is not as unusual as you might think. Many young children, especially those under 5 years old, wet the bed at night.

• About 50% of 3-year-old children wet the bed.
• About 20% of 4-year-old children wet the bed.
• About 10% of 5-year-old children wet the bed.

Many boys may have this problem until they are 8 years old. If they are constantly wetting the bed until they are 6-7 years old, it can be considered a problem.

Important: Some children may be fine for years and then suddenly start wetting the bed again. This is called "Secondary Enuresis".

What are the causes of sleepwalking?

It's often difficult to pinpoint a specific cause for this, but there are a few things that can contribute to it:

• Delayed development: Some children take a while for the nervous system that controls their bladder to work properly.
• A small bladder: Some children have smaller bladders than normal, so they may leak urine without realizing it once it's full.
• Sensitive Bladder:
• Heredity : If someone in the family has this problem, there is a high chance that the children will also have it.
• Deep sleep : This often happens when babies are fast asleep. Then they don't realize that their bladder is full.
• Psychological causes: Sometimes this problem can also arise due to things like problems at home, the arrival of a new sibling, or being separated from parents.
• Other diseases: Rarely, this condition can also be caused by diseases such as urinary tract infections and diabetes .

Do you need to see a doctor?

Yes, definitely! If your child is still wetting the bed at night until they are 6-7 years old, don't assume it's normal. It's very important to see a doctor. Because, rarely, the cause of this can be another disease. (For example, a problem with the bladder valves) The doctor will check if there is something like that.

What should parents do?

• Don't scold your baby: This is not something your baby does intentionally. Scolding or punishing him won't help. Doing so may make the problem worse.
• Praise the good: Praise your baby for the days he doesn't wet the bed. Give him a small gift.
• Don't stop giving your baby water: Some mothers think that giving your baby water at night will make them wet the bed. This is wrong. Don't stop giving your baby water.
• Don't get up at night to go to the toilet: that won't help either.
• Leave a light on at night: If your baby needs to go to the toilet at night, leave a small light on at night so they can go without fear.
• Protect the bed: There are special pads that you can put under the bottom sheet to prevent the mattress from getting wet. Or you can use diapers. However, instead of regular diapers, there are "pull-up pants" made for this. It's better to use them.
• Bathe the baby: Bathe the baby in the morning and send him to school/preschool. That way, the other kids won't make fun of him.

Is there a treatment for this?

Yes, there is a treatment for this.

Bell and Pad Alarm System

This is the most commonly used and most successful method. In this, a small device is attached to the baby's clothing while he sleeps. It has a sensor. When the baby urinates , it gets wet. Then, as a signal from it, a bell placed near the bed rings. Then the baby wakes up. After a while, the baby automatically gets used to waking up before going to urinate .

Counseling / Hypnotherapy

If the baby has a serious mental problem, they can be referred for counseling or hypnotherapy.

Medicine

Medications work well for some children, but they are not always a long-term solution, and they do not work for every child.

Desmopressin (Minirin): This medication is given as a nasal spray. It reduces the amount of urine produced at night. This is a good solution for people with a dysfunctional bladder system.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)