| Bed-wetting, otherwise known as nocturnal enuresis, | | | | - Medical conditions such as diabetes, urinary tract |
| can be a very embarrassing problem for children, and | | | | infections, chronic constipation, brain and spine |
| an equally distressing one for parents. It can | | | | conditions eg. Cerebral palsy and spina bifida. |
| potentially affect the self-esteem of a child if not | | | | Bed-wetting was previously believed to be a chiefly |
| managed properly. Generally, bed-wetting before the | | | | psychological issue, and many children were made to |
| age of 6 to 7 isn't a cause for concern. In early | | | | see psychiatrists and counsellors. However, |
| childhood, night time bladder control may simply not | | | | psychological treatment has been found to be |
| have matured. | | | | ineffective in the majority. It is now known, that the |
| Enuresis can be classified as: | | | | majority of bed-wetting children do not have a |
| - Primary Enuresis - in which there has never been a | | | | primary psychological problem. As such, parents and |
| dry night from the beginning. | | | | caregivers should not scold a child who wets the bed, |
| - Secondary Enuresis - in which the child was dry for | | | | but rather give positive re-inforcement and |
| at least 6 months before the onset of bed-wetting | | | | encouragement when he or she remains dry. |
| again | | | | It is important to remember that bed-wetting is |
| Most children overcome bed-wetting as they get | | | | rarely done on purpose, so it is not the child's fault, |
| older, typically resolving by the age of about 5 years. | | | | and he should not be made to feel guilty. |
| However, the problem may persist for some beyond | | | | Treatment: |
| then, and it can be a cause for distress and shame. | | | | Treatment is usually not needed for bed-wetting in |
| The important thing for parents to understand, is | | | | children less than 7 years of age. Most will learn to |
| that a child rarely bed-wets on purpose, so scolding | | | | control their bladder over time, even without |
| or other forms of reprimanding are usually not helpful. | | | | treatment. |
| There may be a hereditary component, and is | | | | However, in a child older than 7, who wets the bed |
| generally more common in boys. | | | | at least 2 times a week for at least 3 months, |
| Causes: | | | | professional help may be sought. The child should also |
| - Children have small bladders which very quickly get | | | | see a doctor if it starts to affect the child's |
| filled up. | | | | self-esteem, homework and peer relationships. |
| - Often, young children do not realize when their | | | | Treatment would generally focus on positive |
| bladders are full. | | | | re-inforcement, a moisture alarm and behaviour |
| - The urinary sphincter muscles, whose job is to stop | | | | therapy. Occasionally, medication may be prescribed. |
| the urine from leaking out of the bladder, is generally | | | | Steps that may help: |
| not very mature in children, thus occasionally losing | | | | |
| control, especially during sleep, when the conscious | | | | 1. No late night drinks close to bed time |
| mind is at rest. | | | | 2. Make it a habit to empty bladder just before bed |
| - Deep sleep may cause unconscious emptying of the | | | | time |
| bladder. | | | | 3. May have to wake child in the middle of the night |
| - Stress or bad dreams. Events such as starting | | | | to pass urine. |
| school or becoming an elder sibling may trigger | | | | 4. Positive re-inforcement whenever a child remains |
| bed-wetting. | | | | dry |
| - Some kids don't produce enough anti-diuretic | | | | 5. Seek professional medical help if the problem |
| hormone. This hormone tells the kidneys to release | | | | persists. |
| less water. | | | | |