A child is diagnosed with bedwetting (enuresis) if they continue to wet the bed at least once a month after reaching the age of five. Generally, children with bedwetting are in good health and have no known underlying cause for the condition.
When Do Children Gain Bladder Control?
Children gain bladder control at different ages, but most achieve this milestone by the age of five. It is important to understand that a child with bedwetting cannot control it, so they need support and compassion, not punishment.
How to Support a Child with Bedwetting:
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Encouraging Participation in Treatment:
- Involve your child in every step of the treatment process. For example, encourage them to help clean the bed and change the sheets.
- Keep a monthly record of dry nights and bedwetting nights, and reward your child for dry nights instead of punishing them for wetting the bed.
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Emotional Support and Habit Modification:
- Psychological therapy that provides emotional support and habit modification has proven effective in controlling nighttime bedwetting in some children. This should always be accompanied by medical treatment.
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Using an Alarm System:
- It has been observed that using an alarm system that wakes the child up when their bladder is full can help control bedwetting. This method can be tried before resorting to medication.
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Medication:
- Certain medications may help some children if used regularly under a doctor's advice. However, the effects are temporary, and most children return to their previous state after stopping the medication. These medications can have side effects and should be used according to the doctor's instructions.
Future Outlook:
Most children with bedwetting improve without treatment, though the condition may persist in 1-2% of them into adulthood.
Providing emotional support and habit modification alongside medical treatments when necessary can help children overcome this issue, leading to better bladder control and enhancing their self-confidence and emotional well-being.
