Is Your Child Bed Wetting

This is something that is more common than we think. About 50% of 3 year olds wet the bed at night, and 10% of 5 year olds do. A considerable number are still wetting the bed at 8 or 9 years of age.
What is the cause?
Normal bladder control is about growing nerve connections between the brain and the bladder. It is also dependent on the secretion of a special hormone from the brain that makes the kidneys produce less urine at night (anti diuretic hormone)
Some facts
- It tends to run in families - More common in boys - Child may be a very deep sleeper - Child may just have a smaller bladder capacity or sensitive bladder - Sometimes there is an underlying cause such as diabetes or urine infection.
When should I seek help?
- When the problem persists pass the age of 6 or 7 years. - When the child has been dry and then starts to wet again. This is often associated with emotional problems such as parental separation, starting school etc.
How should you treat your child who wets the bed?
Some don'ts
- Do not punish or scold the child, things are beyond their conscious control. Do not make a big deal of it. - Do not stop the child drinking. Your child needs fluid for proper hydration - Do not wake the child at night to visit the toilet. This does not help to increase bladder capacity
Some do's
- Do use a night light so the child can easily find the way to the toilet. - Reassure the child that they will eventually be dry, and that the child is "normal". - Do put a waterproof sheet on the bed. - Make sure your child has a shower or bath prior to day care or school to avoid ridicule or social shunning from other children or adults.
Other treatments
Buzzers: There are various types of alarms available that you can get from the chemist. They often involve a pad on the bed and an alarm will go off if the bed is wet. This wakes the child and prompts them to go to the toilet. This can be tried after the age of 7 years.
Medication: There is a nasal spray that can be used which is an artificial form of the hormone that reduces urine production. It should really only be used if the child is going on a sleep over ie as a temporary measure. There is also an oral medication that in large dose is an antidepressant but this is not really in favor much.aania paki