Knowledge Means Bedwetting Help Is On the Way!

To help your child overcome bedwetting, you need to fully understand the problem.

Let’s start with the technical term for bedwetting: enuresis. Just knowing that it’s an actual medical condition is a big help. Enuresis isn't even really that scary a medical word, right? In my book, anything that ends with osis sounds a lot worse.

Learning about enuresis will clear up any misconceptions you might have (my child is lazy or immature, my child must have psychological problems).

For instance, you probably didn’t know that enuresis tends to run in families. That's right, Uncle Joe probably wet the bed, too. This fact should assure you that you’re not a bad parent because your child wets the bed. It's like feeling guilty because your child inherited green eyes, blond hair, or your big nose. Enuresis is largely a matter of genetics.

Educating yourself will be as much of a help to you as it will be to your child.

There can be a tendency to go into panic mode when your child starts to wet the bed (or never stays dry in the first place). Bedwetting is common, particularly in children 6 and under. Knowing your child isn’t a medical aberration can help you cope—no need to set up camp next to the bearded lady. Scientists aren't going to show up on your doorstep, wanting to run experiments on your offspring. It’s a phase, and in the vast majority of cases (literally 99%) bedwetting eventually stops.

Also, learning the most common causes of bedwetting will help keep your finger far away from the panic button. It’s got nothing to do with lingering emotional scars from putting your boy in the ruffled outfit from Aunt Agnes. There’s zero reason to blame yourself. The bedwetting is probably caused by an under-developed bladder, your child being a deep sleeper, or some combination of the two. Enuresis is a problem for kids who were potty trained early, late, or in-between - so your scheme to reward using the potty by doling out jelly beans isn't to blame, either.

Some children sleep so deeply that they even dream they're making the trip to the bathroom, doing their thing, flushing, and washing their hands.

It's so vivid that they're shocked to wake up and find they've wet the bed. You've had dreams kind of like that (well, maybe not exactly, but maybe you've dreamt you were doing grocery shopping, evading bad guys by turning yourself invisible, or even having an argument) - the subconscious mind is a funny thing!

Chances are wetting the bed makes your child feel pretty lousy. Afterall, waking up in a wet bed isn't pleasant no matter who you are. They might feel ashamed, embarrassed, or “babyish.” When you know the facts, you can discuss them with your child in a way that will make them feel better. Let them know that it’s not their fault, that you'll give all the bedwetting help you can, and that the problem will eventually go away.

Other members of the household need to understand the nature of the enuresis problem, too. That way, they’ll be more sensitive and less apt to tease. Just think of bedwetting as sort of a team sport, I guess!

Susan Lewis
Bedwetting Help for Moms
(c) 2007 Triumph Communications, LLC