10 reasons not to worry if your child wets the bed.

When you and your child are working hard to manage bedwetting (and it happens again), it can be difficult to see the positive side of the situation. However, there are reasons to set aside your frustration and look at the bright side of bedwetting:

Here are 10 reasons not to worry when your child wets the bed.

1. You are not alone.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, five to seven million children aged six and older wet the bed in the United States. Knowing that your child isn't the only one who wets the bed at night can make you feel a little better. And your child feels better too. Experts say that talking to your child and helping them understand that they're not alone in experiencing bedwetting is a great way to boost their self-esteem.

2. Most children stop wetting the bed on their own.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the main reasons why children wet the bed are an underdeveloped bladder that cannot hold urine throughout the night and the child's inability to recognize when their bladder is full enough to get up and go to the bathroom. That said, bedwetting in children often stops as they grow and develop physically. The AAP reports that most children outgrow bedwetting before adolescence and that one in 100 adults experiences this problem.

3. There are effective ways to manage enuresis.

Until your child overcomes bedwetting as they grow up, there are effective ways to manage it. One technique recommended by the AAP is to limit fluid intake before bedtime. You should avoid giving your child caffeinated drinks, as caffeine can irritate the bladder. Using absorbent underwear such as DRYNITES, LIBERO JUNIOR, or ABENA ABRI FORM is another way to help your child stay dry at night.

Management techniques vary depending on the child and their family. A technique that works for one child may not work for yours. Try different approaches until you and your child find the one that works best.

4. It's hereditary.

Most children who wet the bed have at least one parent or close relative who also suffered from bedwetting in childhood. In fact, the age at which the adult parent stopped wetting the bed is a good indicator of when the child will also stop.

If you wet the bed as a child, sharing your experience with your child can help them feel better. Your child will feel more "normal" learning that others—especially a parent—also wet the bed when they were children.

5. In most cases, bedwetting does not indicate a health problem.

Because bedwetting is most often caused by an immature bladder, it is usually not a sign of a serious health problem. Of course, it's always best to take your child to the doctor for a complete examination to rule out any underlying medical condition. If your child stops wetting the bed for several months and then suddenly starts again, it could be what is called secondary enuresis, which often results from stress. A doctor can determine the cause of secondary enuresis and offer advice on treatment.

6. It's not your child's fault.

Children don't wet the bed intentionally. It's important not to make them feel that bedwetting is their fault. Scolding or blaming your child for their bedwetting will only damage their self-esteem. Be encouraging and offer your support and love when you talk to your child about bedwetting.

7. Support exists.

Support is essential for managing bedwetting. Finding information and advice from other parents can help you manage the stress and frustration you may be experiencing. Visit the page Facebook will allow you to connect with other parents, read about their experiences, and submit your questions: www.facebook.com/kidmedical

8. Bedwetting can allow you to bond with your child.

Children are often ashamed to talk about bedwetting with anyone other than their parents or close family members. According to Dr. Susan Bartell, a psychologist and author from Port Washington, New York, talking about bedwetting can help parents and children bond. The fact that children need to be able to talk to a parent about their problem to get help, and that parents need to be empathetic, respectful of the child's privacy, and sensitive to the issues surrounding bedwetting, creates an environment of trust and intimacy, says Dr. Bartell. Inevitably, this will bring the parent and child closer together.

9. Bedwetting does not have to affect your child's social life.

Children who wet the bed at night are often nervous before hosting or participating in a sleepover, because they worry their friends will find out. By using absorbent products, your child can join sleepovers feeling more secure. For more information about sleepovers, see the article: Surviving Sleepovers

10. Your child learns to be empathetic.

Having bedwetting can teach your child to be understanding of others. Bedwetting can help a child become more empathetic by making them realize that others can also have embarrassing or difficult problems, says Dr. Bartell. Experiencing these kinds of problems themselves allows them to understand that others can also face similar challenges (e.g., learning difficulties, a different appearance or behavior, etc.), and makes them less likely to upset others.