Parents with young children are in a constant worry. This is because young children need to be handled with a lot of care and they are learning some basic human traits. In such a scenario, bedwetting is a common occurrence. If your child experiences this problem, then just know that there is nothing to worry. You just need to be more aware of this situation and know how to tackle it. In this article, we will discuss bedwetting in details. We will discuss its causes and remedies. Read on to find out everything that you need to know about bedwetting in children.
In this article:
What is Bedwetting?
Types of Bedwetting
Causes of Bedwetting in Children
Remedies for Bedwetting in Children
All You Need to Know about Bedwetting in Children
What is Bedwetting?
Bedwetting, also known as nocturnal enuresis is losing control over urination while sleeping after the age at which bladder control should usually occur in kids. One common misconception is that it is an emotional problem or any physical illness. It is just developmental delay. Many kids who do bedwetting have a parent who did it too at the same age. This condition is not diagnosed by many parents or doctors unless the child is five years or a little older.
Read More:11 Awful Side Effects of Melatonin for Kids
Types of Bedwetting
There are two types of nocturnal enuresis or bed wetting –
Primary Nocturnal Enuresis (PNE)
It is the most common form of bedwetting. This means that bedwetting has happened since childhood without any break. It is recurrent and affects those children who have never achieved night-time dryness. These can be further subdivided into primary nocturnal enuresis which occurs only at night and diurnal enuresis, which occurs during the daytime, such as urgency, frequency or wetting at daytime. This is a developmental delay which can get resolved with time. Diet impacts enuresis in children.
Secondary Nocturnal Enuresis (SNE)
This is the involuntary passage of urine during sleep by a kid who has previously been dry. This could be due to a bladder infection.
Causes of Bedwetting in Children
Primary Bedwetting
- The kid’s body is still developing/bladder problems
- The kid is unable to control urine for the entire night
- The kid does not wake up when his or her bladder becomes full
- The kid produces a significant amount of urine during the evening and night hours
- The kid may have poor toilet habits. Kids tend to ignore the urge to urinate and postpone urinating for long durations. Parents will be aware of various expressions like face straining, squirming, squatting etc. Which kids use to hold urine.
- An increase in urine production caused by the use of caffeine and diuretics
- Chronic constipation and soiling of pants
Secondary Bedwetting
Secondary bedwetting is when the kid wets the bed after at least 12 months of not doing so. Its incidence tends to increase with an increase in the age of a child.
This causes irritation, a strong urge to urinate and frequent urination. This infection could also be due to some anatomical abnormality.
Any kid who has diabetes will have an increased urine output.
- Anatomical Abnormality
These may be abnormalities in the organs, muscles or nerves or any other urinary problems.
- A Neurological Problem
If the nervous system of the kid has a defect, injury or disease it can cause the neurological imbalance which affects urination.
- Social or Psychological Stress
Stress in family life caused due to conflicts between parents can cause kids to wet the bed. Certain changes in lifestyle, like starting school or moving residence can be the cause of bed wetting. Kids who are physically or sexually abused also begin bedwetting.
- Genetics
Bedwetting can be genetic, which means if any parent had this problem then there could be a possibility that the kid will also have the same problem.
Remedies for Bedwetting in Children
Cinnamon
Cinnamon keeps the body warm. You can have the kid chew on a piece of cinnamon once in a day. A combination of sugar & cinnamon sprinkled over a buttered toast can be given to the child at breakfast.
Amla or Indian Gooseberry
Amla is considered to be a very effective home remedy for bed wetting. Crushed and de-seeded amla added to a teaspoon of honey with a pinch of turmeric can be given to the kid every morning. A teaspoon full of amla pulp mixed with a pinch of black pepper can also be given to the kid.
Olive Oil Massage
Massaging the abdomen of the kid with warm olive oil for several minutes is another remedy for bed wetting.
Cranberry Juice
Cranberry juice is recommended for kids with bedwetting problems. It is good for the bladder and urinary tract. 1 cup of cranberry juice can be given to your kid for a few weeks. If the bedwetting is due to a urinary infection, then you give your kid 1.5 cup of juice thrice a day.
Walnuts and Raisins
Walnuts and raisins can also be given as a snack to the kid. Two walnuts and five raisins should be given to the kid before going to bed. This helps in stopping bedwetting.
To conclude, bedwetting is a problem, but it isn’t a problem without a solution. If you feel that even these home remedies is not preventing your child from wetting the bed, then consult a doctor.
