How do you deal with bedwetting in children?

Bedwetting or nocturnal enuresis is more common than you might think. In most children, these little accidents disappear gradually before the age of 5. But for some, it may persist for a while longer. It's not a medical problem, but that doesn't stop it being distressing for parents and embarrassing or shameful for children. In the rest of this article, we'll explain what can cause bedwetting and what you can do to manage this period in your child's life. What is bed-wetting or nocturnal enuresis? The term "enuresis" refers to involuntary and unconsciousurination (the act of peeing). This can happen during the day (diurnal enuresis) or, more often, at night. This is known as nocturnal enuresis or, more commonly, bedwetting. I'm sure you can imagine the picture: your child awake in the morning, all sheepish, with wet pyjamas and bed sheets. Although it's never fun, it doesn't mean that your efforts to potty train your child have been in vain, or that there's anything wrong with your child: although it's unpleasant, it's a perfectly normal phenomenon. Fortunately, there are many ways of limiting or avoiding these little nocturnal accidents, the best of which is to be patient and understanding (it's not your little one's fault) and to put solutions in place. Did you know that enuresis is more common than you think? Bedwetting, sometimes called nocturnal enuresis or simply enuresis, is a common problem in children. It occurs in around 30% of children aged between 4 and 8. It is estimated to affect around 750,000 children in France. So why isn't it talked about more often? Although enuresis is a common experience for many families, it is still taboo. According to one study, nearly 4 out of 5 parents (79%) in the UK believe that there is a taboo surrounding bedwetting... Interestingly, more than one in ten (13%) parents whose child wets the bed do not feel comfortable talking to anyone about it, and only half (47%) would seek advice from anyone (friends, family or health professional). Half (49%) of parents of bed-wetting children aged 5 to 7 feel powerless. 51% also say they are worried or stressed by their child's bedwetting. According to one study, two-thirds of parents questioned in the UK said that their child felt upset (61%) or embarrassed (60%) about bed-wetting. It's time to break the bed-wetting taboo! By talking more openly... With disposable and absorbent pants, we want to help break the bedwetting taboo, because we know that the majority of parents (85%) would like people to talk more openly about bedwetting and that two thirds (64%) of parents say there is not enough information available about bedwetting. Causes of bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis) The mechanisms of nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting) are not fully understood. It seems that children need time to learn how to control their bladder at night, i.e. to control their nervous system and muscles so that they can unconsciously suppress the urge to urinate associated with a full bladder. This is not at all a voluntary phenomenon on the part of your child, but something unconscious and uncontrolled. Your child may wet the bed for a number of reasons: He's a deep sleeper and has trouble waking up even when his bladder is full. They have a small bladder or one that is not yet developed enough to hold urine all night. He or she may not yet have learned to hold and release urine (communication between the brain and bladder is not perfect). He produces too much urine at night because of a deficiency in antidiuretic hormone, whose role is to slow down this production. He may be constipated, which puts pressure on the bladder and can lead to nocturnal enuresis. He's too tired. He has a medical problem such as diabetes or a urinary infection. They are affected by an upheaval in their life, such as the arrival of a new baby in the family, a house move or divorce. There is a family history of bedwetting. He or she has sleep apnoea (stops breathing while sleeping), which may increase the risk of bedwetting. They have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which increases the risk of bedwetting. There are many reasons why your child may wet the bed, including an immature bladder, an inability to hold it in, sleeping too deeply, producing too much urine at night, constipation that compresses the bladder, emotional problems or a medical condition. What should you do if your child wets the bed? Reassure and support your child Remember that it's not your child's fault. Children develop at different rates and need your support when they are upset. Reassure your child and help them get through this period. Keep an eye on their routine Pay attention to your child's toilet habits. You can encourage your child to avoid large quantities of liquids before bedtime (without dehydrating them, of course) and make sure they drink earlier in the day. Another tip is to encourage your child to go to the toilet 20 minutes before going to bed, and then again just before falling asleep. Make them responsible for looking after their own bed in the event of an accident. Don't be afraid to talk to your child, to understand how they are feeling and how you can support them. Comfort them by telling them you're there to help. Also, make sure that the way to the toilet is easy and well lit. You can use a potty in the bedroom if that's easier. Be prepared: Changing sheets, duvet covers and bed linen during the night can be frustrating. You can prepare for accidents with protective nightwear, which reassures children and parents and gives them confidence. Although night-time underwear is not a magic solution to your child's bedwetting, it is very practical as you don't have to worry about washing the sheets every morning. You can always talk to a healthcare professional you trust, such as your GP or paediatrician. They will be able to reassure you and give you personalised advice on the best way to support your child who is going through a bout of bedwetting. To manage bedwetting properly, it's important not to scold your child or make them feel ashamed of their bedwetting. Stay calm and help them understand that it's an accident, that all children wet their beds and that it will stop as they get older. Consult your healthcare professional if you notice any changes in the amount or colour of your child's urine, if he continues to urinate even after he's finished, if it hurts or burns when he pees, etc. Also consult your healthcare professional if your child has any rashes or itchy skin. You should also consult your child's healthcare professional if they develop a reddening of the genitals, have difficulty controlling their bowel movements, experience a change in mood or unintentionally pee both in bed and during the day. Talk to your healthcare professional If your child is over 5 and continues to suffer from nocturnal enuresis despite the advice given in this article, turn to your healthcare professional. He or she will be able to ask you questions about bedwetting to determine whether it is linked to stress, a family history, too much water drunk or salty food swallowed, or whether there are any abnormalities in your child's urine. Medical tests for bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis) In some cases, your healthcare professional may need to carry out a few tests to identify the cause of bedwetting. If a urinary tract infection is suspected, he or she may order urine tests and prescribe antibiotics. He may also order an X-ray of the bladder or kidneys if he suspects developmental problems. Treating bedwetting or nocturnal enuresis Your healthcare professional will probably simply advise you to stop your child drinking too much in the two hours before going to bed, or something similar. If your child is constipated, specific treatment may be needed to solve this problem. Bedwetting detectors or alarms If you feel you've tried everything but your child still wets the bed at night, here's a solution worth trying: a bedwetting alarm. This generally consists of an alarm connected to the mattress or draw sheet and a sensor placed in the child's underpants. As soon as the alarm detects that the underwear or sheets are wet, it wakes your child who, on waking, regains control of his bladder and prevents himself from urinating. However, your child may not hear the alarm, so the risk of bedwetting is not completely eliminated. However, the method seems to be having some success in helping children to wake up and go to the toilet when they need to urinate in the middle of the night. Medicines Certain medicines can also be useful for slightly older children, but their effectiveness varies. If your child continues to wet the bed after the age of 5, talk to your healthcare professional. This does not necessarily mean that your child has a problem, but some tests may still need to be carried out to be sure and rule out any medical risk. If necessary, your healthcare professional may also advise you to use a nocturnal enuresis detector or medication. Bed-wetting happens to just about everyone, including you when you were that age! It's very common for children aged between 2 and 4 to suffer from nocturnal (and also daytime) enuresis while they're potty training. Most children outgrow this problem by the age of 5, but a minority still suffer from it. There are many factors that can cause a child to wet the bed: a bladder that is still too small, stress or even a medical problem. If your child wets the bed, don't scold them, but rather be understanding: after all, it's not their fault. Cover the mattress with a waterproof mattress protector to minimise breakage in the future, encourage your little one to go to the toilet before bed and prevent them from drinking too much in the hour or two before bedtime. If you're worried about your child's bed-wetting, ask your healthcare professional for advice. He or she will be able to carry out tests to rule out a medical problem, or prescribe a treatment or device to help manage nocturnal enuresis. Be patient: the problem will disappear on its own after a while.