The end of bedwetting? How to know if your child is ready

It can happen suddenly. Or, your child's bedwetting may begin to resolve itself over a period of several months. But when a child becomes increasingly dry, parents notice. Could this be the end of the bedwetting?

Every child is different, even when it comes to bedwetting. Some wet the bed every night, others a few times a week. Still others may go several days without an incident, only to wet the bed every night for a week afterward. Every child's situation is different, and when they overcome the problem depends on many factors. And it will happen differently for each child. Sometimes children wake up one day without having wet the bed and that's it for good, while for others, it will be more gradual,” says Dr. Charles Shubin, a pediatrician and director of pediatrics at Mercy Medical Center Family Care in Baltimore, Maryland. It's different for every child. Consider the following factors and see how they apply to your child's bedwetting.

A look at the figures

To determine when your child will overcome bedwetting, look at the numbers.

• 20% of 5-year-olds wet the bed.
• 12% of 6-year-olds also stop, and 15% of bedwetting children stop each year after the age of 6.

You can use these numbers to estimate how much longer your child will wet the bed. If your child is 8 years old or older, there's a good chance they'll soon overcome bedwetting. For younger children, keep in mind that most doctors don't consider bedwetting a problem until the child is over 6 years old. The American Academy of Pediatrics defines bedwetting as two or more incidents per week in children over 5, or often enough to bother you, says Dr. Howard Bennett, a pediatrician and author of *Waking Up Dry: A Guide to Help Children Overcome Bedwetting*. These days, however, bedwetting is easier to manage thanks to protective bedding and underwear.

Family history

If a parent, aunt, or uncle wet the bed as a child, there's a chance bedwetting will be passed down to your child. Family history can indicate when your child will overcome the problem. "Genetics plays a big role in bedwetting," says Dr. Shubin. "So, look at what age older family members stopped wetting the bed. For example, if a parent or other family member overcame bedwetting before the age of 7, then it's likely your child will too."

Expect relapses

Even if your child has been dry for a few weeks, relapses are possible. Some children will have an occasional accident, even after a long period of break. And many children will gradually outgrow bedwetting. “My children didn’t outgrow bedwetting all at once; it became less frequent, and then it stopped,” says Cynthia Sheldon, a mother from Elmwood, Nebraska. However, that doesn’t mean relapses will last long. “Thirty days without an accident, and bedwetting is considered cured,” says Dr. Bennett. “If there are relapses after that, it’s temporary.” Periodic relapses can be caused by disruptions to sleep patterns or changes in routine.

Be encouraging

Children can become frustrated when they wet the bed and not understand that relapses are normal, especially after regaining confidence following a long period without incidents. If your child wets the bed after a dry spell, they may feel discouraged and upset. The key to helping your child manage their feelings is to be encouraging and realistic. “Prepare children for the possibility that they will wet the bed again,” says Dr. Bennett. Let them talk and express their feelings, but give them realistic information. Explain things in a way they can understand and relate to their own situation, using sports metaphors, for example. For instance, a softball team might have a great season with several wins in a row, but that doesn't mean they will never lose another game.

Positive reinforcement can help your child manage the frustration they experience with bedwetting relapses. Your support will help boost your child's self-esteem and manage their embarrassment. Bedwetting is a developmental issue, not a behavioral one, says Dr. Shubin. Be empathetic and reward your child when they do things they can control, such as limiting liquids before bedtime. Every parent of a bedwetting child longs for the day it stops. While a few nights in a row without an accident don't mean your child is done for good, it could mean the end is near. The important thing is knowing that the end will come. In the meantime, be encouraging and understanding with your child and use bedwetting management products.

The essentials about bedwetting

According to Dr. Charles Shubin, the three main points to keep in mind when your child wets the bed are:

1. Give it time. Your child will eventually overcome bedwetting as they grow up.
2. This is not your child's fault. Your child cannot control bedwetting, so don't blame them.
3. Control what you can. You can try to control certain bodily functions by limiting fluids in the evening and using bladder control techniques.