Bedwetting
Bedwetting in younger children is extremely commonplace and relatively normal.
It is also typically not cause for concern, though it can be distressing for both children and parents at slightly older ages.
Defining bedwetting
Society’s definition of bedwetting has changed over time.
50 years ago, families quietly competed to see how quickly they could get their children out of nappies! Almost inevitably, that led to numerous bedwetting accidents overnight but with younger children, perhaps under the age of 2-3, this was expected.
Today, attitudes have largely changed and many children are in nappies until older ages. In present-day Australia, at the age of five around 20% of children are still using a nappy at night though that reduces to 10% by the age of 6.
This shift has changed what is seen as ‘bedwetting’ and the ages at which the description is used. There is no universal definition but many people now see it as a situation whereby a child is peeing in their bed at night on a moderately regular basis and some time after they have finally moved on from nappies.
Causes
There are a large number of potential causes of bedwetting:
- the child’s unconscious mind hasn’t yet adapted to controlling the bladder during sleep. This is very common in the weeks and months after moving away from nappies;
- stress and trauma are recognised as sometimes playing a part, though the exact mechanisms are unclear;
- illness (e.g., urinary infections);
- some forms of sleep disorder;
- constipation and bladder spasms;
- an excessive production of urine.
In many cases, the precise cause can’t be identified.
Getting help
Due to the above-mentioned changes in society’s practices, it is very difficult to advise when you should consult your doctor. It might be advisable though to do so if:
- your child is regularly wetting the bed some months after they have moved out of nappies (this might be more applicable to children over 3);
- they are suffering any other symptoms, such as pain, vomiting or blood in the urine;
- the bedwetting is accompanied by an apparent difficulty in controlling their bowels;
- they are regularly experiencing nightmares that seem to correlate with their bedwetting;
- their bedwetting has re-commenced after a long period without them doing so;
- by the age of 6-7, they are still needing to use nappies regularly to control their bedwetting at night.
Daytime wetting
Some children ‘pee their pants’ during the daytime.
This is often messy for parents or care providers around them but such little accidents are rarely cause for concern if they’re occasional and the child is under around 4 years of age.
However, daytime wetting is not the same thing as night-time bed wetting (where a child is asleep). It would be advisable to consult a doctor sooner rather than later if your child at 4+ and out of nappies is consistently unable to control their bladder during times when they’re awake and active.
Treatments
Due to a large number of potential causes of bedwetting, a doctor may advise one of several options for progression, including simply ignoring it for a time to let the child develop their control mechanisms.
There are specialist bedwetting clinics that can help children through a range of therapies. They or your doctor might also prescribe medication or the use of ‘bedwetting alarms’.
It’s imperative to treat this as normal and not to stigmatise the child at home. Some caution may be required though with slightly older children (perhaps 6-7+) where some peer group ridicule may be experienced from friends and schoolmates if the matter becomes common knowledge.
If you think this is happening or suspect that it might, consult with your school at the earliest opportunity.
