On the Coast – Families Issue 100 I June/July 2019 | Page 16
Bedwetting in Children
B
edwetting is a common
problem in school age
children and a frequent
cause of worry and stress for
families. The good new is that most
children grow out of it over time.
The fancy word for wetting
the bed at night is ‘Nocturnal
Enuresis’. It affects approximately
10% of 6 year olds and 5% of
10 year olds so it is important
to reassure your child that it is
likely other children in their class
still wet the bed as well. Daytime
bladder control usually occurs by
4 years of age, but bladder control
at night takes longer to develop and
usually doesn’t occur until your child is
5–7 years of age.
While parents may see bedwetting
as a ‘problem’ due to inconvenience or
concerns about underlying disease, for
most children it is only seen as a problem
when it interferes with their ability to
socialise with friends.
DR GEORGIA PAGE
(connected to a rubber mat that
goes on the child’s bed) and a
personal alarm (attaches to your
child’s pants). It works by
waking up your child as soon as
they start to wet the bed. It
teaches the body to recognise
when the bladder is full and
wake up and go to the toilet.
They are not suitable for
younger children and usually
are recommended for those
seven years and older. It can
take time (e.g 1–3 months) to
respond to the treatment so be
patient and if it isn’t effective
your child may not be ready and it is
worthwhile having a break and try
again later.
Medication – In some cases your GP
may prescribe medication to help
with bedwetting. Desmopressin is a
naturally occurring hormone that
reduces the amount of urine your
kidneys produce overnight. It can be
used for adolescents for occasions
such as sleep overs and camp.
What causes bedwetting?
The exact cause is unknown but some
contributing factors may include;
The ability to wake to a full bladder is
not fully developed yet
Children tend to produce more urine
at night
Some children have smaller bladders
Genetic tendency – often one or both
parents wet the bed when they were
children
Constipation
Rarely it can be associated with
medical conditions such as urinary
tract infection or diabetes (more so if it
is a new symptom)
Most children who wet the bed have
no physical or emotional problems.
As it occurs when the child is asleep
it isn’t their fault. It is not caused by
laziness or bad behaviour. For most
children it is only seen as a problem
when it affects their social life e.g. too
embarrassed to have sleep overs at a
friends house, or they may be anxious
about school camp. You can talk through options with your
GP and there are some great online
resources and helplines too (*see links)
Reassurance is the most important
thing for your child. It is a common
condition and by talking to your child
about how their bodies work and that
it isn’t their fault is important. Being
supportive and patient is important.
Night light – to guide them if they
wake in the middle of the night to go
to the toilet or to change their pyjamas
if they have an accident.
Fluids – it important to make sure
your child has plenty to drink during
the day but avoid too many drinks
in the evening before bed especially
those with caffeine in it e.g. hot
chocolate, tea or cola.
Lifting or waking – lifting your child
at night while they are sleeping and
taking them to the toilet or waking
them at night to do a wee are other
options. It can help in the short term
but usually doesn’t stop bedwetting
long term.
Bedwetting sheets – as well as using a
mattress protector, bedwetting sheets
are another good option. These go
over the bottom bed sheet so makes it
easier to quickly change your child’s
bed in the middle of the night.
Bed alarms – A bedwetting alarm is a
device that makes a noise when your
child wets the bed. There are two
types – a pad and bell alarm
Treatment
There are many ways to treat bedwetting
and it depends on the age of your child
and what best suits you and your family. Georgia enjoys all aspects of general practice and has been working at Your Family Doctors at Erina
for the last 12 years. The practice has lovely new rooms and has a fabulous team of Doctors and
Nurses, some of whom are accepting new patients. They pride themselves on delivering good quality
health care, with that special personal touch. For more information call 4365 4999, check the website
www.yourfamilydoctors.com.au or like them on facebook.
16
O N T H E C OA S T – FA M ILIES
When to see your doctor
If daytime wetting
If your child was dry at night for a
long period of time and then starts to
wet the bed again
If your child is wetting the bed after
the age of seven and it is bothering
them.
At your child’s request.
Take Home Messages
Most children who wet the bed have
no physical or emotional problems
It is not your child’s fault
Most children grow out of it over time.
If the condition is not distressing to
the child or parents, treatment is not
indicated.
* RESOURCES
– National Continence Helpline on
freecall 1800 33 00 66.
– www.continence.org.au
– www.raisingchildren.net.au