Navigation
[TITLE]

[MESSAGE]

[BUTTONS]

Popular questions...

Content

How is bedwetting treated?

There are several ways of treating bedwetting. In-home treatment methods include: restricting sugary or caffeinated drinks (cola, etc.) before bedtime; motivation therapy - keeping records of dryness and establishing a reward system for 'dry' periods and for other related positive behavior; encouraging (but not forcing) the child to help you with changing sheets and bedding; keeping a record of 'wet' and 'dry' nights to help assess the extent of the condition; awareness training - at bedtime, asking the child to visualize that it is the middle of the night, their bladder is full and they wake up and go to the toilet; leaving a night light on to help the child find their way to the toilet, and; encouraging the child to empty their bladder just before bed. The family can also use an alarm system-based therapy, which has been proven to be the most effective long-term solution to bedwetting. This consists of a moisture-sensitive pad which activates an alarm when it becomes wet, waking the child. Medication treatment for bedwetting is less effective than alarm systems as a long-term solution. It is usually tried after alarm training has been attempted.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is bedwetting?

Night-time bedwetting, known formally as nocturnal enuresis, is a condition in which a toilet-trained child regularly urinates (pees) while sleeping.

What causes bedwetting?

Bedwetting often has no particular cause. In a few cases, there is an underlying physical or psychological cause. Factors that can raise the chance of a child wetting their bed include: a family history of bedwetting; constipation and other digestion problems; being …

When does bedwetting become a problem?

The question of when bedwetting becomes a 'problem' greatly depends on the attitude of your family and your child. As a general rule of thumb, regular (at least twice weekly) bedwetting above the age of about five years can be considered worth looking …

What children are more likely to experience bedwetting?

Factors that can increase the chance of a child to wet their bed while sleeping include: - A family history of bedwetting; - Constipation and other digestion problems; - Being a boy; - Being a deep sleeper; - Having a small or …

Will bedwetting clear on its own?

In most cases, children stop bedwetting without any treatment.

What can be done at home to treat bedwetting?

In-home treatment methods include: restricting sugary or caffeinated drinks (cola, etc.) before bedtime; motivation therapy - keeping records of dryness and establishing a reward system for 'dry' periods and for other related positive behavior; …

Can bedwetting be prevented?

Bedwetting happens normally to some children and is not under their control so it cannot be prevented. Scolding or shaming a child will also not help prevent or treat the behavior. Waking the child at night to go to the toilet will prevent some wet nights, but …

Will bedwetting keep coming back?

Occasionally, children who have been 'dry' for some months will revert to bedwetting. This is known as 'secondary enuresis' and if it becomes regular, then there is some chance that this is caused by some underlying medical problem.

How common is bedwetting?

About half of three-year olds, 20% four-year olds, and about 15% of five-year olds still wet their beds regularly. Many boys do not stop until the age of eight. Many more children wet their beds occasionally until they are 10 years old. In a few cases, bedwetting …

Related topics

Diseases & conditions

Urinary tract infections (UTI) in children

Younger children often have vague symptoms when they have a urinary tract infection (UTI). These include fever, vomiting, poor feeding and irritability. In older children, there may be frequent urination, burning sensations when urinating, fatigue, or abdominal pain. UTIs in children may require prompt treatment with antibiotics to prevent damage to the kidneys.…
Diseases & conditions

Urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control that results in unintended urine leakage. This can occur when people cough, sneeze or lift something heavy. It is most common among women who have given birth or who have experienced menopause, both of which can cause weakness in the pelvic floor muscles.…
Diseases & conditions

Kidney stones

Stones can form in the kidney and move into other parts of the urinary tract. Large kidney stones can get stuck causing extreme pain, blood in the urine and/or kidney failure. Often, ultrasound waves can be used to break up kidney stones.…
Diseases & conditions

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the name for cancers that form in the prostate gland, which is part of the male reproductive system. Abnormal cells can form a tumour in the prostate gland and spread throughout the body, commonly to the bones.…
Diseases & conditions

Childhood immunizations

Childhood immunisations help protect infants and children against a variety of diseases, without them being exposed to the actual diseases. Immunisations include tetanus, polio, measles and chicken pox vaccines. They also help protect friends and family by reducing the rates of these conditions.…
Diseases & conditions

Benign prostatic hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is an enlargement of the prostate gland, which is common in older men. It can lead to problems with urination, however it can be managed through lifestyle changes, medications and/or surgery.…

About this article

Author: Jonathan Meddings BMedLabSc (Hons)
First answered: 24 Oct 2014
Last reviewed: 19 May 2018
Rating: 4.6 out of 5
Votes: 919 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Urinary tract infections (UTI) in children

×

Content goes in here.