Bedwetting at the start of the school year

When do children stop wetting the bed?

Among 5-year-olds, 15% wet the bed; among 8-year-olds, only 6% to 8% still do. Even without treatment, only about 2% of children still wet the bed by the age of 15.

Bedwetting can present additional challenges throughout the school year—challenges whose effects extend far beyond wet sheets. Bedwetting can impact your child's emotional well-being, sense of satisfaction, and academic performance. It's also a source of stress for parents.

Here's how bedwetting can affect various aspects of your young schoolchild's life:

Emotional life. Bedwetting can negatively impact your child's self-esteem and overall mental health. Children may experience anxiety and embarrassment about their bedwetting. They may also feel powerless to stop it, leading to very high levels of stress.

A restricted social life. Bedwetting can also disrupt your child's social life. Your child may be terrified that someone at school might discover they wet the bed. As a result, they might become less sociable and more withdrawn. Your child may also avoid school trips or sleepovers for fear of wetting the bed. If their peers were to discover that your child wets the bed, they might tease or bully them.

Academic performance. In addition to its effects on social and emotional life, bedwetting can have adverse consequences on your child's academic performance. For example, your child may have difficulty concentrating at school because they have to get up frequently at night and, consequently, don't get enough sleep, or the fear that their peers will discover their bedwetting may consume all their attention.

These problems can occur throughout the year, but they can be particularly challenging during the back-to-school period, as your child adjusts to the demands and stress of the new school year.

Bedwetting can also make the start of the school year more difficult for parents. It can be stressful getting back into the daily grind of getting ready for school. And when your child wakes up in a wet bed, you have to change the sheets, do extra laundry, and give your child a bath—all of which adds to your morning stress and that of your family! When parents worry about how bedwetting is affecting their child's school life, they are also putting themselves under a lot of stress.

But your case isn't unique! Bedwetting affects many families, but effective treatments are available. If your child wets the bed, talk to their doctor so they can evaluate and treat the problem. Treatment is likely to improve the child's self-esteem and reduce some of the stress caused by bedwetting. Children's school life will be better, and parents' lives less stressful.

Are you looking for a good night's sleep?

Bedwetting can rob your child—and even you—of a good night's sleep. Young children may wake up more frequently during the night because of bedwetting, which can also wake parents and other family members. The alarm from a bedwetting alarm system can also disrupt the family's sleep if it's not well-suited to your home. So, what can parents do? Here are a few suggestions that might help everyone in your family get some much-needed rest.

• Find a suitable treatment for bedwetting. Several forms of treatment are available, including medication, alarm systems, and behavioral training. Ask your child's doctor about treatment options that might be right for your child. Then everyone in the family can enjoy a good night's sleep.
• Establish a routine for your family. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This can help you sleep better. You can help your family members develop good sleep habits by setting bedtimes and wake-up times that are appropriate for your child's age and schedule. Consult your doctor for information on a sleep schedule that would be suitable for your child.
• Insist that the bedroom be primarily a place for sleeping. Ensure that the room is quiet and dark. Make sure your window coverings block out any unwanted light, and use a fan or white noise machine if background noise is a problem. Do not allow your children to eat, talk on the phone, or watch TV in bed.
• Get up if you've been trying to sleep for at least half an hour, and do something quiet. For example, try reading for about 20 minutes. Then go back to bed and try to fall asleep again. If you stay in bed worrying about not being able to fall asleep, you'll prevent yourself from sleeping.
• Worried about the next day? The night before, dedicate half an hour to preparing everything your family will need in the morning. Prepare the coffee maker, plan what everyone will wear, and ask the children to put their school supplies in their bags. This will help you avoid the morning rush.
• Ask your children to empty their bladders before bed and make sure they can easily get up at night to use the toilet. You might need to add a nightlight in the hallway or have your child sleep closer to the toilet.
• Make sure your child doesn't drink too much liquid before bedtime. If your little one is thirsty, don't pour them a large glass of water, but give them just a few sips. Avoid all caffeinated drinks before bed, as your child may have trouble falling asleep and need to use the bathroom more frequently.

By following these simple tips, you're well on your way to ensuring your family members get the sleep they need to face the start of the school year. Contact your doctor if any of your family members frequently suffer from sleep problems.

How to deal with teasing

Bedwetting can be an embarrassing problem for your child, and they may become more likely to be teased or bullied. But fortunately, you can help your child cope with these difficulties.

Make your home a place of happiness. If your child is teased at school, they can certainly do without teasing at home. When bedwetting occurs, don't make a big deal out of it—don't let any family member tease your child. Avoid punishing or blaming your child. By doing so, you will strengthen your child's self-esteem.

Watch for warning signs. Your child may be trying to hide from you that they are being teased or bullied at school. Here are some warning signs you should be aware of:

• Your child does not want to go to school or is looking for excuses to avoid going;
• your child is starting to have poorer academic results;
• your child no longer wishes to participate in the extracurricular activities he/she enjoyed;
• your child has difficulty sleeping or often has nightmares, stomach aches or headaches;
• Your child seems upset when he comes home from school;
• your child comes home from school with injuries, missing items or torn clothes;
• Your child seems to have no appetite;
• Your child doesn't seem to have a large number of friends.

Talk about it together. Ask your child to explain what's happening at school and listen carefully to their answers. Avoid getting angry with them—tell them you're not blaming them and that they're not letting you down. Ask them about their new friends and who they spend recess with; ask if they don't like any children and if they can tell you why, and if any children bully or tease them.

Take appropriate action. If your child says they are not being bullied, but you still suspect they are, try contacting the school authorities to see if they have observed anything. Work with your child and the school authorities to find ways to deal with teasing. Try to show your child different ways to respond to help them cope with those who are trying to bully them. Help your child find ways to make friends so they are more popular and less vulnerable. Make sure your child knows how to approach a teacher, the principal, or another person in a position of authority if they feel physically threatened.

You and your family can work together to find ways to deal with teasing and bullying. If these tips aren't enough, seek professional help. Talk to your doctor about treatment options for bedwetting that might be causing the teasing.

Coping with school trips and nights spent at friends' houses

For children who wet the bed, school trips and sleepovers are daunting experiences. Many children go to extraordinary lengths to avoid leaving home for even a single night, for fear of wetting the bed. But bedwetting shouldn't force them to decline invitations. Here's how to help your child prepare for a sleepover or a school trip:

• Ask your child's doctor for advice. If your child is spending the night at a friend's house or going on a school trip, there are treatment options that can help keep them dry. For example, your child can use medication to help prevent bedwetting away from home. Your doctor can advise you on the options that are right for your child.
• Use medication as needed. Your child's doctor may recommend desmopressin to help them stay dry away from home. This medication works by regulating urine production during the night, so your child produces the same amount of urine as a child who doesn't normally wet the bed. Desmopressin may start working the night after the first dose. Before your child goes on a trip or spends the night at a friend's house, make sure you both understand how to use the medication and what to expect during treatment.
• Be prepared. Help your child pack. If your child uses bedwetting protection, make sure they remember to pack it and know how to put it on themselves. Remind your child what to do if they wet the bed during the night at their friend's house. Your child will feel more confident if they have a plan in case of an emergency. Good preparation can reduce stress and allow your child to have a good time.

These tips will help you and your child prepare for sleepovers and school trips. If you have any questions or concerns, consult your doctor. Learn about effective treatments available to help your child enjoy these activities without fear of bedwetting.